Snohomish Community Food Bank volunteer Mike Manley talks helps a client with what's in one of the food bank's freezers during the food bank’s Friday, May 12 service time to shop for supplemental food.
#SNOHOMISH — A federal government cutback has food banks such as Snohomish’s hunting for help. The state Department of Agriculture saw a $4.7 million cancellation of USDA commodities it would normally distribute to pantries in coming months. This constitutes items including “milk, dried plums, dried cranberries, canned chicken, turkey breasts and chicken breasts,” Agriculture said on its website.
Locally USDA subsidies represent 30% to 40% of the food received, Snohomish food bank director Megan Kemmett said. How much impact is not clear yet. It comes at a time when the food bank is seeing an increase in clients — 72 new families in March.
The food bank at 1330 Ferguson Park Road accepts donations Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9 a.m. to noon.
To donate money electronically, see www.snohomishfoodbank.org/support/
