Washington Food Coalition

www.wafoodcoalition.org
PO Box 95752
Seattle, WA 98145
phone: 206.729.0501
fax: 206.729.0504
info@wafoodcoalition.org

October 8th, 2014

Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Dear Governor Inslee,

I am writing today to make a request on behalf of our neighbors in need as you move forward in developing your
budget for the upcoming biennium.
The Washington Food Coalition Board of Directors is in full agreement that we need EFAP funding to stay strong, and
would like to see the additional EFAP funds awarded for the supplemental budget last year to be rolled into the base
funding for EFAP. On behalf of the Washington Food Coalition and the hundreds of agencies that make up the
emergency food system in Washington State, I am requesting that in your budget proposal for the biennial budget 20152017 you consider including a proposal to maintain this increased funding level for EFAP.
Continue our states vital investment to local hunger programs in Washington so we can help meet the growing need.
Continue strong support of the WSDA Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) by maintaining the $800,000
increase provided in the 2014-2015 supplemental budget.
This proposal, which has also been put forth by WSDA, would add $800,000 (annually) in state general fund support
for the emergency food system through WSDAs Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). The proposal essentially
transitions the one-time allocation of an equal amount in the 2014 Supplemental Budget into ongoing base funding.
Even with the additional $800,000 allotted for the current fiscal year, when comparing this year to last year, there is
about 1 pound less of emergency food available to an average family per visit to their food pantry. This additional
funding provides about 2.1 million meals per year for our most vulnerable Washingtonians.
According to WSDA, 1 in 5 Washingtonians currently rely on their local food bank, with older adults and children
accounting for 55% of those visits. Food banks receiving grants from EFAP saw a 32% increase in the number of
individuals seeking food from 2007-2010. Unemployment rates hover around 9% in the state, and are over 10% in
many rural counties. We know that 51% of the families in our food bank lines have a family member who is working.
Food banks give food and hope to millions of seniors, children and families across our state. We believe no one should
go hungry in Washington, especially children. Ours is a state blessed with an abundance of food, yet Washington is the
15th hungriest state in the nation. Food banks are struggling to keep up with demand, which has remained at
unprecedented high levels, while federal food programs have seen cuts and local food donations have dwindled.
We greatly appreciate the work that you do and our collaborative relationship with state agencies as we work together
for a healthy and strong food system that supports all Washingtonians.
Thank you for considering our request and please feel free to contact us as we continue to pursue greater support to
help families in our state get the meals they need.
Sincerely,
Helen McGovern-Pilant
Chair, Washington Food Coalition