Dear friends,

At Bellingham Food Bank we pride ourselves in being largely funded by community donations and less by government contracts and grants. We credit our community donors with creating the stability needed for a consistent, quality shopping experience at our programming. However, we must be honest about recent state and federal changes slashing key funding sources for hunger relief, and what that means for the roughly 60,000 people who shop with us each year.

Food banks are an essential economic tool, but our work is not free. We cannot support the level of food access we provide without the volunteers, donors, and partnerships that make it possible. As state and federal programming dissolves, it is the fine folks of Bellingham and Whatcom County that can truly build a resilient local economy that sustains our most basic needs. Our community is vibrant, strong, and resourceful. We need you more than ever before.

With care,

The BFB Team

Recent Funding Cuts:

• Proposed federal SNAP cuts of at least $230 billion through 2034 would severely impact Whatcom families. After the last major SNAP cuts in 2021, BFB’s weekly visits dramatically jumped from 1,700 to 3,500, making us the busiest food bank in Washington. Today, we serve 5,000 households weekly—and without significantly more funding, we can’t sustain further increases as families lose the financial support they need from SNAP.
• Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) has been canceled. The USDA has cut the 2025 LFPA program, eliminating $180,000 meant for purchasing food from Whatcom & Skagit farmers this year and into the future.
• Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) has been canceled. The CCC provides 30-40% of TEFAP emergency food aid, with a focus on stabilizing farmers in the process. Whatcom County food banks will lose $650,000 worth of free food annually.
• The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has experienced cuts. This reduces grant opportunities. Last year they provided the Whatcom County Food Bank Network with at least $50,000 that will not be available again.

In Good News:

• Both the House and Senate rejected a $53 Million cut to WSDA’s hunger relief funding proposed by Gov Ferguson. If this cut is made it would heavily impact food banks across Washington State. Legislators are strongly advocating for hunger relief, we’ll be paying attention as the budget gets finalized.

Hunger VS Hunger: Film & Sponsorships This indomitable fundraiser is an absolute joy. Last year we raised a quarter million dollars with Hunger VS Hunger! We are seeking business sponsorships to go bigger than ever in 2025. To sign up contact Ethan by April 30th.

ethan.hunger@gmail.com

Check out this full-length feature film to get an inside look at what it means to exercise for 15 hours straight to feed a quarter of the Whatcom County population.

Watch today!

https://tinyurl.com/HvHfilm

Community Food Co-op Feeds Neighbors & Supports Farmers.

When you check out at the Co-op, the PIN pad will prompt you to donate $1, $2, or $5. Your gift will be added to your purchase total, and 100% of the funds will go directly to Bellingham Food Bank to buy fresh produce from local farms. This both strengthens our local economy while creating a direct source of healthy food for those experiencing hunger. We are so appreciative of this simple but powerful program that bridges the gap between your generosity, local farms, and families in need.