SEATTLE — Significantly more visitors are using food banks in Western Washington as they are not seeing demand go back down to pre-pandemic levels, according to Food Lifeline.
From 2021-2022, visits amounted to 1.05 million, but in 2022-2023, the number increased to over 1.6 million. With higher costs of living and supplemental COVID SNAP benefits ending, overall visits have gone up by 63%.
Wage increases are stagnating, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department. In 2021, average annual wages grew by 7.5%, but in 2022, the average only grew by 2%.
The decrease in wage growth comes as inflation outpaces it. In Western Washington, prices in 2022 went up by 9% since 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the highest the rate has been in at least 30 years.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated one in 12 households face food insecurity in Washington state.
Furthermore, donations to food banks are also not returning to pre-pandemic levels. Food Lifeline reports their inventory poundage is at a 60% level capacity to support the 402 distribution partners in the area, such as food pantries, meal programs and shelters.
“Before the pandemic, our food bank partners were serving just over 800,000 people," Ryan Scott, chief development officer for Food Lifeline, said in a statement. "As expected, the pandemic took that number to more than a million. But we fully expected the number to return to pre-pandemic levels, and unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
How to Help
Home Team Harvest
KING 5 is hosting the 23rd annual Home Team Harvest, with the goal of raising 23 million meals through Dec. 31.
Click here to donate online through Northwest Harvest.
Donate $5, $10 or $12 towards grocery cards at your local Safeway or Albertsons store.
In-person donations will be accepted at two locations on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Rainier Safeway: 9262 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118
Everett Safeway: 5802 134th Place SE, Everett, WA 98208
Food Lifeline
The nonprofit is hosting the “Together to End Hunger Campaign” this holiday season. Individuals can donate here.