Whatcom food banks request county’s support amid skyrocketing demand and funding cuts

The Whatcom County Food Bank Network (WCFBN) is asking for additional funding from local government partners as federal assistance is running out amid a skyrocketing demand for food.

“We’re really here today to talk about the families that we’re serving every day across Whatcom County, and we’re really worried about the future,” Bellingham Food Bank Director Mike Cohen said in a Whatcom County Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, July 9.

Cohen spoke to the council on behalf of the WCFBN, a network of 13 food banks across the county, to request $2 million for food purchases to address the growing public health crisis of local food insecurity.

The WCFBN has historically received a modest amount of funding from Whatcom County to support its efforts. But in the last four years, Cohen told the council local food banks have seen unprecedented need.

“For a long time, it honestly was enough, and that’s why I haven’t been here and we haven’t been here asking for funding year after year for decades,” Cohen said. “The need’s been out there. It wasn’t so great that we needed dramatic and increased support. But that time is fast coming to a close.”

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has helped make up the difference in recent years, but that money is quickly running out.

“We are here to talk to you about the reality that thousands of families are going to face if they come to the food bank when those ARPA funds are gone and we don’t find replacements for them,” Cohen told the council.

Councilmember Jon Scanlon proposed a collaborative funding approach involving partnerships with local cities. Still, the council seemed hesitant about its ability to approve the requested funding.

“We’ve had some very sobering budget conversations here,“ Councilmember Scanlon said.

“This is a huge need, and trying to find $2 million in our budget is a huge ask,” Councilmember Todd Donovan said. “But it’s a discussion we’ll have.”

A look at the numbers

▪ 9,000 households visit Whatcom County food banks each week — a 127% increase since 2021 and more than double the average increase in statewide food bank visits.

▪ 25% of Whatcom County households are eligible for SNAP benefits or food stamps.

▪ Almost 40% of some Census tracts in rural Whatcom County are eligible for SNAP.

▪ 25% of all youth attending K-12 schools in Whatcom County are eligible for free meals.

▪ More than 50% of students in the Mt. Baker School District are eligible for free meals.

▪ Nearly 35% of food bank clients are children, and 20% are seniors.

( Data provided by WCFBN )

Why is food security increasing?

Food costs are increasing significantly, driving more people to the food banks, Cohen told the Council.

A recent United Way of Whatcom County ALICE report found food costs to match or exceed housing, health care and child care as the top cost in the average family’s budget.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It describes households that earn above the federal poverty level but do not earn enough to afford housing, child care, food, transportation, health care or other necessities.

“One of the reasons our visits are up so much is that food is really expensive,” Cohen said. “In some cases, it actually exceeds a family’s housing cost, child care cost, or health care cost. But I think it is surprising to many to see that food costs for a family is often on par with rents.”

The fastest-growing demographic of visitors at the food banks is the class of working poor — individuals or households who are employed but are unable to afford basic necessities and fall into the ALICE category.

“People come to the food bank because there’s flexibility in a food budget,” Cohen said. “We can’t short our landlord or we get kicked out of our apartment. We can’t short our medical bills because we get sent to collections. But you can spend less on food. You can cut your meals. You can come to the food bank and save money on your grocery bills.”

A widespread crisis

Food insecurity is pervasive in urban and rural areas across Whatcom County, according to Cohen. But some areas are more impacted.

“The highest concentrations of poverty and food insecurity are some parts of east Whatcom County, the two tribal areas and some parts of the city of Bellingham,” Cohen said. “But it is really persistent in all of our communities.”

Food bank donations are also no longer enough to cover the increase in clients. Groups like Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline used to supply a significant amount of free food. However those organizations are struggling to meet demand, so food banks need to purchase additional food with available funding and grants.

Most of the food at food banks is purchased. Bellingham Food Bank purchases about 70% of its food. WCFBN anticipates spending about $5 million on food this year alone. Cohen told the council they would need significant funding support to help every community member in need of food.

“We can’t food drive our way out of this crisis,” Cohen said.