There are moments when numbers stop behaving like statistics and begin behaving like signals.

A 15% increase in visits to Pierce County food pantries this January and February, after a year that has already broken every record, is not a seasonal fluctuation. It’s a clear signal that hunger in our community is being shaped by long-term pressures, not short-term events.

Across our network of 75+ partner pantries, there were 3,698,035 client visits last year. That’s a 30.8% increase over the peak of COVID, and a 168.9% increase compared to before the pandemic. Emergency food is no longer an occasional safety net. For many families, it has become part of how they navigate rising costs and shrinking margins.

This is why advocacy matters.

At Emergency Food Network, we believe that knowledge increases the power of every community member to make an impact in their own sphere. When we understand what is driving hunger (economic pressure, policy decisions, and global events) we are better equipped to respond, together.

Federal Threats to Food Assistance

Recent federal policy changes are expected to significantly impact food access in Washington state.

H.R. 1, passed in 2025, includes sweeping changes to SNAP that may result in:

• 129,000 Washingtonians impacted by new work requirements, with 73,000 projected to lose benefits.
• Approximately 30,000 immigrants losing SNAP eligibility.
• 75,000 households receiving reduced benefits due to changes in utility calculations.
• An added $100–$300 million annual cost to Washington State to maintain program operations.

These changes matter not only to families, but to the broader economy. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates about $1.54 in local spending at grocery stores and farmers markets.

At the same time, Washington State has joined a multi-state lawsuit against the USDA regarding new funding conditions tied to immigration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and gender identity. These conditions could have an impact on critical programs like SNAP, WIC, school meals, and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

EFN currently receives approximately $1.5 million and 3.5 million pounds of food annually through TEFAP. If these contracts are disrupted, access to food across our network could be significantly reduced.

These are complex and evolving issues. But they reinforce a simple truth: policy decisions directly shape how hunger shows up in our communities.

Thank You for Speaking Up: GSA Advocacy

In the face of uncertainty, your voices made a difference. More than 21,000 community members across the country submitted public comments in response to proposed changes at the General Services Administration. We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared information, raised awareness, and took the time to advocate.

This kind of engagement matters. It demonstrates that when communities are informed, they participate—and when they participate, systems respond.

We are currently waiting to see how these proposed changes will move forward.

Thank You for Your Advocacy: Washington State Legislative Session

Closer to home, your advocacy helped advance meaningful progress during the Washington State legislative session. Several important food access bills were passed, including:

• HB 2238 – Establishes a coordinated, statewide plan to reduce hunger.
• HB 2294 – Removes barriers to opening grocery stores and pharmacies in underserved areas.
• HB 2211 – Creates statewide standards for medically tailored meals and prioritizes partnerships with Washington-based providers.

We are especially grateful to everyone who spoke up, shared their perspective, and stayed engaged throughout the session.

EFN was proud to stand alongside other anti-hunger organizations when Governor Bob Ferguson signed HB 2238 into law, an important step toward a stronger, more coordinated food system in Washington.

EFN in 2026: Responding to What the Data Tells Us

The data is clear: demand is rising, and the need for a strong, responsive food system is growing.

Inflation continues to strain household budgets. Food prices remain elevated, energy costs are rising, and wage growth has not kept pace with the cost of living for many families. At the same time, global conflicts continue to influence fuel and transportation costs, increasing the cost of moving food throughout our region.

In Pierce County, more than 117,000 residents experience food insecurity, including over 39,000 children. More than 119,000 people rely on SNAP, yet many eligible households remain unenrolled or have seen benefits reduced. Taken together, these pressures mean that food support is no longer supplemental, it’s essential infrastructure.

In response, EFN has set a goal to distribute 20 million pounds of food in 2026. We are strengthening our systems to meet this moment by:

• Improving logistics and distribution efficiency
• Reducing waste
• Enhancing coordination across our partner network
• Ensuring food moves quickly and equitably throughout Pierce County

But meeting this need will take more than operational strength. It will take a community that is informed, engaged, and ready to act.

What You Can Do Next

While we wait to see how federal decisions and legal challenges unfold, there is still meaningful work to do right now.

• Share what you know. Awareness is a form of access.
• Help connect people to food by sharing pantry locations and resources
• Volunteer or host a food drive to support local pantries
• Stay engaged in policy conversations that shape food access

The state of food insecurity in Pierce County is serious, but it’s not hopeless. When communities understand the challenges they face, they are better prepared to respond. And when people act together with clarity and purpose, they can shape a different outcome.

Your voice matters. And at this moment, it’s needed more than ever.

Citation:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64efdb03722fe12a630acda4/t/6983d54b64b66c10116a4577/1770247499516/Pierce%2BCounty.pdf https://www.newsweek.com/snap-benefits-changes-2026-11218279

https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/2026/consumerpriceindex_seattle_20260113.htm

https://www.tacomachamber.org/news-and-updates/2026-pierce-county-economic-outlook-highlights-warning-signs

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/DSHS_HR1_Effects_Fact_Sheet.pdf