Resources For Food in Issaquah & Sammamish Areas

Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank

All shoppers receive 2 weeks’ worth of food and diapers (if needed).  Shopping has moved indoors! The clothing bank will remain closed. Camping gear and warm clothing are also usually available for people sleeping outdoors.

We are open every OTHER week Monday-Thursday from 1:00-7:00 pm. Click here to for our full service hours and closures

CLIENT SERVICES The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank's case management program provides strength-based, trauma-informed assistance to our neighbors. Trained staff and volunteers work with clients to tailor services based on their individual needs. We help navigate the complex web of service providers available in our community in order to meet individual needs and goals.

Feb 24: DSHS Mobile Office 11am - 3pm Each DSHS Mobile Office is staffed by specialists who can determine people’s eligibility for state and federal medical, cash and food assistance programs. Our team processes new applications, case reviews, changes, EBT card requests and required documents. We also take applications for the Child Care Subsidy Program and forward them to the Department of Children, Youth and Families for processing. 

Feb 26: Friends of Youth Healthy Starts 12pm - 2pm Home Visiting for pregnant and/or parenting families with children younger than age six. Home visitors provide a safe space and meet families where they are at while providing basic supplies, parenting support and information, group activities, developmental and health screenings, and referrals to community resources

Lunch For The Break: Our next LFTB will be held on April 11th from 1-7pm This program is open to all families with children attending school in the Issaquah School District or who live in ZIP codes 98027, 98029, 98059, 98074, and 98075. Lunch for the Break provides nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack options for children attending school in the Issaquah School District. The program helps alleviate hunger during school breaks by providing a week's worth of free grocery items for students to be able to prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks for themselves.  Questions? Email programs@issaquahfoodbank.org.

Power Packs: Power packs are back and better than ever with fresh fruit and allergy-friendly options!!! Please check with your school counselor to get connected. Family and childhood hunger is a real problem in our community. Some children don't have enough food to eat over the weekend, making Mondays extra challenging. In response, Issaquah Power Packs works to get weekend food bags into the hands of children who need them. We added preschools at Holly Street and Briarwood, and the Behavioral Inclusion programs at Liberty, IMS, and IHS.

Groceries to Go (G2G) is a home delivery service assisting families or individuals with circumstances that make it difficult to shop at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank during service hours. If eligible, you will receive an order every other week, delivered right to your door.

Issaquah School District: Free and Reduced Lunch Program & Breakfast Program

Returning students maintain their prior year’s free or reduced eligibility for the first 30 school days, OR until a new application is processed. If a returning student does not have a new application processed by Oct. 10th, 2024, they will automatically be transferred to a paid account. Families are responsible for any charges incurred.  If you prefer a paper application, they are available below:

*For applications in other languages, please go to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website. 

United States citizenship or immigration status is not a condition of eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, all school-aged children in income-eligible households can receive school meal benefits regardless of a child’s immigration status.

Lake Washington School District:  School Lunch Information

Please visit website for more information on eligibility, how to apply, and other benefits.

Additional benefits for families eligible for free or reduced-price meals: Families that are eligible for free and reduced meals may also qualify to have fees for ASB cards, sports participation and other extracurricular activities waived by providing your consent to share eligibility information on the application.

Issaquah Meals Program provides a free hot meal at the Issaquah Community Hall. All are welcome, no registration needed. 180 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah, next to the fire station

  • Monday - Friday: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Saturday: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Sunday: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Issaquah Senior Center Lunches

Lunch is served weekdays from 12-12:30 p.m.  Be sure to check out the lunch menu to see what is being offered to go daily! Suggested Contribution is $4.50 for 60+ years old & Cost is $6.50 for under 60 years old. First Come, First Serve

Hopelink Mobile Market Schedule - Feb Schedule & March Schedule

The Mobile Market distributes food around the community. Everything is free! We have a wide selection of fresh produce, dairy, and breads, as well as frozen foods, to choose from. You can also receive a prepackaged box of food with: soup, pasta, peanut butter, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, beans, tuna, and cereal. During each visit, you will be able to pick up enough food for at least 21 meals. You do not need to call in advance.

Hopelink Markets 

Markets will be open during their regular hours Monday-Thursday. To register to attend a Hopelink Market, please call the Hopelink Center serving your area to schedule a quick, easy phone appointment. While you are waiting for your enrollment appointment, you can still receive food.

Lifelong Chicken Soup Brigade: Grocery & Food Deliveries in King County

Lifelong’s food and nutrition program, Chicken Soup Brigade (CSB), delivers healthy, home-cooked meals and nutritious groceries right to your door. CSB meals are made on-site, from scratch, using whole food ingredients. Our groceries are nutritious and contain enough items from each food group to create 7 meals. Our team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) offer medical nutrition therapy to CSB clients. Our Nutrition Educator partners with community organizations to offer a free online nutrition and cooking series called “Pots and Plans”. Our services are 100% free of charge to those who qualify! Our services are for people who: Are low income, Are medically vulnerable/have a chronic illness, Find leaving home without help difficult, Have a hard time cooking because of physical limitations, Struggle with some daily activities because of physical or mental health conditions. Call our Client Services team to apply today at 206-957-1686. Language translators available.

Sound Generations Community Dining Locations & Meals on Wheels:

For up-to-date menus, times, and driving directions, please contact the location of the site you’re interested in. NOTICE: All Community Dining sites are currently closed to congregate dining due to COVID-19. Meals are prepared for take-out and delivery only until further notice.

Renton Senior Activity Center The Don Persson Senior Activity Center provides programs, events, and activities for people aged 50+. Entry into the Center is free, Monday-Saturday. Please call to find our more about programs like the Grocery Cart, Footcare, free coffee bar, and more. For course information and registration, visit rentonwa.gov/register. 211 Burnett Ave N, Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-6633

Meals On Wheels There are many circumstances that can make shopping or preparing food difficult for older adults. That’s where Meals on Wheels steps in, offering relief to older adults and caregivers by delivering reliable, nutritious meals on a weekly basis. Our friendly drivers bring satisfying, well-balanced meals directly to the homes of older adults.

The Sophia Way:   Day Center 

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday  from 8 am to 3 pm  Services: Meals (breakfast and lunch), showers, laundry, computers, and access to service providers including medical, legal assistance, and job search Location: Sophia’s Place  3032 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004  Phone: 425. 896.7385  Bus route: 249

REACH

  • Meal Coalition * Closed Sept 15, 2023 * Open for Thanksgiving & Christmas

  • Visit website to learn about other programs and events

Emergency Feeding Program

The Emergency Feeding Program has existed to serve a basic human need--Hunger. Our job is to make sure that no one in King County has to go hungry tonight.

Effective April 19, 2023: Food Box pick-up for walk-in Clients is Tuesday - Thursday, from 10 am - 1:30 pm ONLY!!!

St Matthews Church, Renton

  • Exciting News! Feeding Feasible Feasts is providing a food hub at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church.  This new resource will be available to all community members 24/7 and will be filled 5 days a week. ADDRESS :  1700 Edmonds Ave NE Renton, WA  98056

  • Sustainable Renton’s Covid-Relief Free Grocery Store closed their groceries for families program Dec 18, 2023. Sustainable Renton will continue to glean food using established networks, providing supplies for a number of food-relief program in Renton and surrounding communities.

Northwest Share Free Vegetarian Food Truck

Free Food Truck Schedule: Hello!! Are you looking for free dinner or meal near you? Please see the schedule of our food truck below and come there. Our food will make your heart happy.

  • Starting Feb 22, 2024 Up to 200 meals will be served every Thursday 6:30-8:00. Flyer here

  • Sunday 11:30am to 1:30pm CFH Bellevue

King County Care Connect Washington Do you need food or other help while you isolate at home?

Are you sick with COVID-19? Do you need food or other help while you isolate at home? Care Connect Washington can help. Call 1-800-525-0127, then press #. The hotline is open Monday 6am-10pm, and Tuesday to Sunday 6am-6pm. Care Connect Washington is a program to provide food and other necessities to people who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed and need support to isolate or quarantine at home. Each region works with community-based partners to connect people to services they are eligible for, such as medication delivery, health care, help applying for unemployment, local housing agencies, food banks, childcare providers and more. Help is made based on need.

Washington State DEPT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES - Increases to DCA Amounts

The Community Services Division is increasing the maximum Diversion Cash Assistance benefit from $1,250 to $2,000, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The costs of everyday living needs such as housing, transportation and employment-related expenses have grown significantly since the DCA program was created. The changes to RCW 74.08A.210 “Diversion program – Emergency assistance” increases the DCA maximum cash benefit to $2,000 to better meet a family’s true expenses for one month.

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Policy Change 2023

With the new policy, households with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level are now eligible. Four hundred percent of the federal poverty level is $58,320 for a single person and $99,440 for a family of three. Plus, the new policy removes a geographic requirement and allows food banks to provide this food to anyone in the state.  These food banks also cannot require anyone to show identification or a social security number, nor can they require proof of income, household size, or immigration status.  Find more information at the link above.

WA State DHS EBT Benefits Summer EBT Food Program for Children SUN Bucks in Washington

Families with eligible school-aged children will get $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer while free and reduced-price meals aren’t available in schools. SUN Bucks applications are open to families through Aug. 31, 2024. Flyer for Families - Flyer for School Districts — Flyer for using SUN Bucks with Instacart

WIC Approved Infant Formula

Many people don’t realize you can sign up for WIC as soon as you know you’re pregnant – but you can! You can receive amazing benefits, like healthy food and advice on preparing to breastfeed. Find a local WIC agency to see if you qualify HERE

Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program app: The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program's app, WICShopper, is now available in 22 different languages. The app was first launched in Washington State in 2018. It allows users access to local shopping assistance, recipes, updates on benefits and more. The new update allows for the app to better serve the community by reducing language and accessibility barriers.  You can download the app here.

TANF and Support Services

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides temporary cash for families in need. Some families participate in the WorkFirst Program. The WorkFirst Program helps participants find and keep jobs.

Persons who are caring for a relative's child, or legal guardians or are acting in the place of a parent are also able to apply for TANF benefits on behalf of these children through our Non-Needy Relative, In Loco Parentis and Legal Guardian Program.

Persons who are residents of Washington state and are ineligible for TANF solely because of eligibility changes due to the Welfare Reform Act may be eligible for State Family Assistance.

Persons who are eligible for the TANF program may also qualify for our Diversion Cash Assistance. Families who chose this program can get help with living expenses when a family needs short term assistance and meets program requirements.

SNAP:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, called Basic Food in Washington, helps people with low incomes make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. Who is eligible: Washington state residents who meet:

SNAP Benefit Levels Changing in 2023

There are several changes that may affect SNAP household’s benefit amounts over the coming months. The temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as emergency allotments, will end nationwide after the February 2023 issuance. In addition, households that receive SNAP and Social Security benefits will see a decrease in their SNAP benefits because of the significant cost of living increase to Social Security benefits that took effect on Jan. 1, 2023. For more details on these changes, follow above link. This page will be updated as additional information and resources become available. WASHINGTON: March 2023 SNAP benefit amounts return to normal for all SNAP households. For households that also receive Social Security, their SNAP benefit may decrease because of their higher Social Security benefit.

Non-Citizens & Food and Nutrition Service Programs

If you are a non-citizen, you and your family members may be eligible to participate in several programs operated by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). We hope you explore the programs and resources below to find access to nutritious meals for yourself and your loved ones.  Important Update: Applying for or receiving benefits from FNS nutrition programs does not make someone a "public charge." If you or a family member are eligible for FNS programs, you can apply knowing that you and your family will not face immigration consequences.

King County Food Insecurity Report March 2023