Auburn Food Bank sees increased demand after nationwide reduction in SNAP benefits

AUBURN, Wash. — Across the state, thousands of families are struggling to put food on the table. Many have turned to their local food banks for help, but even food banks are struggling to meet the demand.

“We have a new pandemic. The new pandemic is, we don’t have enough food on the shelves,” says Auburn Food Bank Director Debbie Christian. “We don’t have enough food to give out. We have more families that are needing food.”

Christian and the food bank staff are determined to keep Auburn fed.

“This is definitely a labor of love,” said Christian.

It’s a labor of love that’s become more labor-intensive over the past few weeks.

The Auburn Food Bank has seen more than a 50% increase in demand for food since last month when SNAP benefits were reduced nationwide.

Local food banks have described recent donations as scarce due in part to the rising cost of food.

“It’s been harder to get food on our shelves, and then when we are getting food, maybe it’s not what you would actually need,” says Christian. “I have half a pallet over there of parmesan cheese. Wonderful! [But] are you going to be able to eat that for dinner tonight? No.”

Christian doesn’t see the demand subsiding any time soon, saying families rely on food banks to make up the gap.

“We’re going to continue to see that. There is no place else to go,” says Christian. “They can’t go magically make food appear. They’re going to have to come and ask for a food bank to help them.”

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