For several scary days this month, more than half a million Washington state families were left to wonder how they’d get food on the table.

Fortunately, with the federal government reopened as of November 12, 2025, the Department of Social and Health Services is again issuing monthly payments for families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to get the nutrition they need every day. But for a while there – about 12 days – it wasn’t clear when those payments would resume, and Solid Ground wasn’t waiting around to find out. 

Here‘s what we’ve been doing: 

• Supporting a network of Seattle food banks by conducting real-time assessments and distributing emergency funding as needed through the Seattle Food Committee. 

• Distributing grocery store gift cards to Solid Ground housing residents and long-term participants. 

• Coordinating a shuttle bus to grocery stores for housing and shelter residents. 

• Stocking nonperishable foods for people seeking services in person. 

While this particular crisis may be over for now, many families are still struggling to keep up with rising food prices. Here are a few things you can do to help and stay on top of the latest news about food resources: 

• Subscribe to our Resource Wire newsletter to get weekly emails full of free/low-cost support, such as legal help, healthcare, housing, and more. 

• Find a Food Bank near you using the Seattle Food Committee’s online tool. 

• Use Food Lifeline’s Food Finder to look for additional food resources, including food banks outside Seattle. 

• Follow Statewide Poverty Action Network, Solid Ground’s advocacy partner, to get legislative updates and opportunities to advocate for food access. 

There’s plenty of uncertainty ahead for families who rely on our safety net programs. Here are some things you can do to help: 

• Donate food items or basic essentials from our Amazon wishlists for Solid Ground housing residents and program participants who need them most. 

• Donate to the Seattle Food Committee through Solid Ground’s website (type “Seattle Food Committee” in the gift notes). 

• Donate to a rural community food bank in Washington state. They often have fewer resources in times of need. 

• Send an email asking Governor Ferguson to fund programs like SNAP that have been cut at the federal level.

Our social safety net needs to be stronger. This won’t be the last crisis we face when it comes to our safety nets. Due to recent actions by the federal government, millions of Americans are set to lose access to food assistance, healthcare, and housing support. 

We’re inspired by our community’s swift response to meet basic needs in the face of this challenge. Let’s keep it up and be the change we want to see!

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Image at top: Charles Kendrick, a Solid Ground Food System Support driver (Credit: Michael B. Maine)