Go to each Nourishing Networks group’s page to find where help is in your closest community. The Nourishing Networks groups in Seattle’s Eastside communities are compiling information and creating projects that can help people find the food assistance they need. Food Banks, Faith Communities, Gov Agencies, Schools, send up-to-date information and ideas to data@nourishingnetworks.net We curate, and publish as much as we can, as fast as we can.
Hopelink issued this newsletter October 29, 2025, and posted on their website
SNAP & the Government Shutdown - What you need to know & how you can help
Hopelink Community,
You’ve probably seen or heard recent news about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how the program could be impacted by the continuing federal government shutdown. Hundreds of you have already reached out asking how to help, and we’re so grateful. Many have also asked, “What exactly do these changes mean, and how will they affect people here in King County?” You can read our full statement here.
What we do know is this: things are already difficult for many of our neighbors, and starting this Saturday, they’ll get even harder. If the shutdown continues, EBT cards will not be replenished on November 1, meaning families will temporarily lose access to their SNAP benefits until the federal government reopens. With fewer essential items covered and less money available for food, what is already a challenging situation could quickly become devastating.
The five no-cost Hopelink Food Markets are already seeing unprecedented usage. With the loss of these benefits, we anticipate the requests for all of our services, especially food, are going to skyrocket as families make impossible choices between food, rent, and other essentials.
Here’s how you can make an impact, some actions help right now, and others will support our community throughout the year:
1) Make a monetary contribution: Gifts of any amount to address greatest needs provide vital flexible support when needs increase across our programs.
2) Donate food to a Hopelink Food Market: Hopelink accepts in-kind food donations at any of our five markets. You can give by donating non-expired items from your pantry, shopping from our most-needed items list, or purchasing directly from our Amazon Wish List.
3) Start a food or fund drive: You can make a big impact when you gather your neighborhood, school, place of worship, or friend group chat with a drive for our Lend a Hoping Hand campaign.
4) Volunteer: The Hopelink Food Markets are powered by volunteers! Get in on the action by signing up to volunteer at one of our locations.
5) Join the Circle of Hope: By giving a set amount each month, Circle of Hope members provide sustainable support throughout the year.
Many families will spend this weekend wondering what comes next. Because of your generosity, Hopelink can help with their most immediate needs and provide a path forward. With gratitude,
Melissa Pederson
VP of Development, Marketing & Communications
Hopelink
Check out our Nourishing Networks groups in these local communities!
Woodinville, WA
Kenmore, WA
Bothell, WA
KIrkland, WA
Bremerton, WA
Kent, Renton, WA
Issaquah, WA
Bellevue, WA
Nourishing Networks Consortium
Redmond, WA
We're needed now more than ever, our spirit, passion, and will to make things better in our communities, this is critical work, and you, the nourishers, are the critical component that makes it all work.
Nourishing Network local groups maximize the impact and efficiencies of the volunteers and agencies in their local community; making connections between them and solving local community problems in ways that have never been possible before.
Where else can you create a space where community organizations and passionate volunteers can network together in an equitable, gracious, safe space where everyone is treated with respect? And they get stuff done. It’s incredible. ~ Nourishing Networks Consortium
Click on the gear and get in gear! Learn how to make the Net Work!
