Fast Facts

More than 930,000 Washington state residents (over 200,000 of those in King County) receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to the ongoing government shutdown, all SNAP benefits have been paused effective November 1, 2025.

Food banks brace as Washington residents face loss of SNAP benefits by Nov. 1

Mary shares her powerful story in the 3-minute video below. This video was shown at Recipe for Hope: An Anchor in the Storm, and perfectly encapsulates the power of both needing an anchor, and being an anchor for others. Watch her story here.

What is SNAP and how does it work?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger in America. Protecting this vital program is key to ensuring that nobody in this country goes hungry.

SNAP helps millions of low-income Americans put food on the table, providing benefits that are timely, targeted, and temporary. SNAP responds quickly to changes in need, growing in response to increases in poverty and unemployment. The program is targeted to help our most vulnerable neighbors, predominantly serving households that include children, seniors, and people with disabilities. 

To learn more about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, visit snap-factsheet-final.pdf

Thank you to everyone who supported Recipe for Hope: An Anchor in the Storm. By giving, volunteering, acting as a Table Host, being a Matching Pool Hero, sponsoring, serving on the Event Team, and dedicating time to come learn more about the storms that thousands in our region are facing, you are all acting as the anchor they need in the midst of it. YOU are making our community better!

Thank you to everyone's who has given financially! Because of your generosity, we are very close to our fundraising goal of $400,000! Thank you to everyone who stretched your giving to help ensure that we can provide resources for everyone who comes to us seeking assistance.

Your decision to be a part of other's support system is what's needed for our community to thrive.

Missed it this year? Watch the full event video here. Donations still being accepted here

Thank you to our top Recipe for Hope event sponsors!

With students back in school for a new year of learning, the need to keep them fed is crucial. In the Issaquah School District, 160 additional students are participating in the Free and Reduced Lunch program this year for a total of 2,700 students receiving services, following a consistent pattern of growth year after year. In the 2024-2025 school year, Power Pack distribution increased over 40% with 22,700 packs distributed. This September we handed out 2,375 packs, and we are anticipating that number to grow throughout the school year.

Power Packs are available through self-selection, allowing students to get the support they need with dignity, autonomy, and privacy. Keeping this program directly accessible to students helps to address the harmful effects of food security program cuts and restrictions.

Providing nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for students who might otherwise go without over the weekend, Power Packs helps students show up as the best version of themselves on Monday morning. Learn how you can help here.



Gather your friends and family for some Thanksgiving fun and making new memories in beautiful downtown Issaquah!

It's a fun, casual 5k for all ages and abilities!

Thanksgiving morning at 9:00 a.m.

Enjoy!

• Costume contest
• Photo booth
• Food trucks
• Food bank tours
• Free goodies before and after the trot

Your participation helps to raise support and awareness to address the rapidly increasing issue of food and resource insecurity in East King County.

Your donations help ensure that resources remain accessible to the 9,500+ people we serve!

$40 adult & youth/$15 child through 11/26, then

$45 adult & youth on event day

Don't wait!

Special this year! Start a fundraising team and win two round-trip plane tickets compliments of Alaska Airlines when you raise the highest amount in donations! Learn how to "Form a Team" here.

We also have prizes for early t-shirt pick-up, our Costume Contest, and kids Gobble Wobble participation!

Plan now to join the fun!

WE LOVE OUR EVENT SPONSORS!

Do you know a local business that could use a little visibility while supporting their community? Event sponsorship is the answer! Amazon, Talking Rain, Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian, Arena Sports, Nintendo, SanMar, and more have already joined us as Turkey Trot sponsors. Get our sponsor info package for full details and contact Tricia with any questions or ideas!

Champion Spotlight: Community Clothing Closet

Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank volunteers Cheryl DeLappe, Angela Dahrea, and Lisa Stratton have spent their time supporting the food bank for years, providing integral on-the-ground support for several of our programs. Their first-hand experience working with our team, the community we serve, and other local organizations fostered a desire to do more.

“The impact of volunteering on my life has been profound. The loss of a dear friend (and IFCB donor) is what initially brought me to the IFCB, looking for solace and closure. What I found was an incredible new group of friends, people grounded in compassion, kindness and respect,” Cheryl shared, adding “It has changed how I view the world and my place in it, and I am constantly in awe of what the IFCB and its volunteers accomplish together, week in and week out.”... READ MORE.

"Without this program, my teenager would have had very little in her stocking. The gift cards allowed me to buy ingredients for a really special Christmas Eve dinner, with all her favorite foods. What might look like a small amount of assistance to those with means actually translates into a HUGE boost for those who struggle, and the generosity is truly appreciated!"


- Holiday Gift program participant



Upcoming Opportunities and Events

There are always great events and opportunities to volunteer, donate, attend, or do all three! For more information on any of upcoming events, just reach out to Hannah.



Holiday Closures

• Veterans Day: Tuesday, November 11
• Thanksgiving Day and day after: Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28
• Christmas Week: Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25
• New Year's Eve: Closed at 4pm
• New Year's Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Mark your calendars now!

Professional Photographer Needed



We have been so blessed to have Rick Edelman Photography donate his time and talent to photographing our Recipe for Hope and Turkey Trot events for many years. As Rick prepares to retire, we are looking for professional photographers with event experience who would be willing to work alongside Rick at Turkey Trot 2025 on Thanksgiving Day.

Interesting in learning more? Please contact Bonnie for more information, thank you!

Turkey Trot Flyer & Poster Distribution:

Flexible volunteer opportunity! You can complete this on your own time before 11/10/25. 

Goal: Spread the word about Turkey Trot! Visit local businesses in a specific neighborhood, asking if we can hang up a Turkey Trot poster and/or leave flyers for people to take as they visit the businesses.

Who can do this? Anyone, so long as you can get transportation to the food bank to pick-up supplies and to your assigned area. You can sign up as an individual or as a group. Great opportunity for high schoolers or families. 

What does flyer distribution include?

1. Individuals or small groups can sign up to distribute flyers and posters.
2. Shortly after you've signed up, IFCB staff will reach out to you to share the specific area that we need coverage and tips for success.
3. You will come get all the materials you need for this project from the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank (including posters, flyers, tape, instructions, etc.).
4. We ask that you go door-to-door to the businesses and establishments in your assigned area and ask if you can put up a poster or leave a stack of flyers promoting the Issaquah Turkey Trot event, in support of the food bank.
5. Once your area has been covered, any leftover materials will be returned to the food bank.

Reach out to Hannah, our Communications &Grants Manager, with any questions. 

Express Shopping

As an Express Shopping volunteer, you might:



• Walk through menu orders
• Fill orders efficiently, like a personal shopper!
• Bring groceries out to our clients waiting outside
• Restock shelves and pack fresh produce bags
• Help tidy up

Upcoming Express Shopping days are 11/6, 11/20, and 12/4. If you are available and interested, you can view available shifts and sign up below.

Visit the Giving Machine in Alderwood Mall from November 25- January 1 to donate to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, as well as other incredible local organizations! Learn more here!