United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) has activated its Emergency Assistance Fund — a community-wide initiative providing urgent financial support to food banks located throughout Thurston County. These food banks are on the front lines, serving residents directly impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits and those not receiving paychecks due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“Local food banks are experiencing record surges in the number of families who need assistance, and we expect the need will continue to grow in the coming weeks. These needs are further exacerbated by the suspension of federal contracts that the food banks rely on, as well as rising food costs. It’s imperative that we get additional financial support to the food banks throughout the county as quickly as possible,” said Chris Wells, Executive Director at UWTC.
Drawing on its deep community connections, UWTC is partnering with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to deliver timely relief where it’s needed most.
With more than 1,600 federally employed individuals living in Thurston County, and 15% of local households that rely on SNAP, community support is vital. UWTC is calling on both businesses and individuals to contribute to the Emergency Assistance Fund to help ensure our local food banks can continue meeting the growing demand for essential resources.