United Way of Snohomish County (UWSC) today announced an emergency allocation of $50,000 to the Snohomish County Food Coalition (SCFC) in response to a rapidly escalating food insecurity crisis affecting thousands of residents. The emergency grant aims to stabilize local food systems strained by simultaneous federal program disruptions, ensuring continued access to food for individuals and families across the county.
Multiple federal food security mechanisms are currently faltering at once. The federal government shutdown halted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 1, 2025, potentially suspending benefits for an estimated 72,590 Snohomish County residents who rely on food assistance.
Compounding the crisis, federal funds for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Phase 42 have not yet been released in 2025, creating a significant funding gap just as community needs to rise. In 2024, United Way managed the allocation of $329,867 to18 local organizations as part of the previous program phase (Phase 41).
Additionally, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—which normally provides weekly deliveries of staple foods to local food banks—has not made a shipment in more than two weeks. These shipments typically account for 10–15% of the total food intake at local food banks, leaving pantries understocked at a time of anticipated surge demand.
“These simultaneous funding disruptions represent a systemic stress event for Snohomish County’s hunger-relief network,” said Susan Gustafson, Director of Programs at United Way of Snohomish County. “Families living paycheck to paycheck—especially those below the ALICE Threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed) —are the first to feel the effects of any instability. These are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level but don’t earn enough to be economically secure. Our immediate funding is designed to provide stability while federal programs work to get back on track.”
Supporting Families Below the ALICE Threshold
United Way of Snohomish County’s mission focuses on strengthening economic opportunities and improving quality of life for ALICE households. According to the 2023 United for ALICE Report, approximately 40% of all Snohomish County households—or 128,734 families—live below the federal poverty line or within ALICE constraints, unable to afford necessities like food, housing, childcare, and healthcare.
“This is exactly the kind of systems-level challenge United Way is built to address,” added Gustafson. “When multiple safety nets fail at once, our community needs fast, coordinated action. This emergency investment is both an immediate response and a long-term commitment to protecting family stability.”
Trusted Partner: Snohomish County Food Coalition
The Snohomish County Food Coalition (SCFC) is a member-led network of 19 food banks, pantries, mobile distributors, and meal programs serving residents across the county. The coalition provides shared infrastructure, coordination, and resource deployment for frontline hunger-relief programs.
Because of its established countywide reach and logistical expertise, the Coalition is uniquely positioned to absorb and deploy emergency resources at scale. With this $50,000 infusion, SCFC will be able to purchase and distribute additional food, expand service to rural and underserved areas, and maintain continuity of supply during the anticipated federal disruption.
“The Coalition’s member organizations are seeing shelves empty faster than they can restock,” said Casey Davis, President of the Snohomish County Food Coalition. “This emergency grant from United Way gives us the immediate capacity to purchase food, strengthen distribution, and ensure that no family goes hungry during this difficult period.”
Mobilizing Community Support
Beyond immediate relief, United Way will leverage this emergency investment to launch a community-wide donor engagement campaign encouraging local philanthropists, businesses, and residents to match the $50,000 contribution.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together,” said Megan Ruth, Director of Development, United Way of Snohomish County. “By acting now, we can double our impact and ensure Snohomish County food banks have the resources to sustain families through the holidays and beyond.”
The campaign will run through December 2025, peaking on #GivingTuesday (December 5, 2025), and will dovetail into United Way’s annual End-of-Year Giving Campaign.
Addressing a Systemic Crisis with Strategic Action
United Way’s emergency response aligns with its 2026–2029 strategic plan, which emphasizes preventative investment—reducing downstream hardship by stabilizing households early. By intervening before the SNAP freeze and funding delays cascade into deeper economic hardship, UWSC and SCFC are modeling proactive, systems-level problem-solving that prioritizes family resilience.
“This action is more than a grant—it’s an investment in community stability,” said Ruth. “We’re helping prevent people from falling further into crisis, ensuring children and caregivers can stay focused on school, work, and well-being.”