SPOKANE, Wash. — Local food assistance organizations are struggling to meet surging demand as uncertainty over federal food benefits continues.
At least 10 states, including New York, Kansas, and Washington, say they’re starting to send full SNAP food assistance benefits.
In Spokane, uncertainty is taking a toll on local non profits as resources run low while more people turn to them for help. Susan McDonald Osborn operates Spokane Helpers Network from the basement of her South Hill home, where volunteers pack and deliver meal kits across Spokane County. The nonprofit typically helps around 40 families per week, but that number has recently doubled to 80.
“It’s been challenging over the last week,” Osborn said. “We knew that there was a possibility that we would see a significant increase in the use of food banks in people who reach out to us and people who go to feeding sites.”
The organization, which has about 150 volunteers, used to deliver food within 48 hours. The increased demand has led to deliveries being backed up for more than a week…