THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. Food pantries across Thurston County have been repeatedly setting new single-day attendance records since federal changes to SNAP benefits took effect, according to KIRO 7 News Seattle.
Thousands of Washington residents have lost access to food assistance programs since the Trump administration's changes to SNAP and other social services, and advocates say demand on local food programs is now higher than ever.
At a press conference Wednesday, the Thurston County Food Bank, the Food Source Foundation and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland said pantries in the county have consistently broken attendance records since the passage of H.R. 1 and the resulting SNAP benefit changes, KIRO 7 reported.
"In 2026, nearly 25% of our pantry customers are first-time visitors," said John Ficker, executive director of the Thurston County Food Bank. "We have expanded evening hours and increased home delivery to meet this growing need, even as we receive significantly less food and resources through federal programs."
Ficker said the community has embraced the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors, but he cautioned that food banks cannot replace SNAP's reach. Protecting the program, he said, helps ensure that children, seniors and working families have the food they need to thrive.