The Edmonds Food Bank said it has received notice that the federal funding requested by U.S. Rep.Rick Larsen for the food bank’s new building is at risk.
According to an update from Larsen’s office, the House recently passed a continuing resolution (CR) for funding through the end of the fiscal year. If passed into law, this could mean that there would be no funding for any Community Project Funding submissions for fiscal year 2025, including the Edmonds Food Bank’s request. The resolution is now under consideration in the Senate.
While this news presents a significant challenge, the effort to secure funding has not ended, the food bank said. Larsen is continuing to advocate for this project and explore opportunities for a supplemental funding bill that could include earmarked projects such as this one.
“Government support is essential to our capital funding strategy, not only to sustain the over 1,000 households we currently serve each week, but to expand our capacity in response to rising demand from cuts to SNAP and other human services programs,” said Edmonds Food Bank Executive Director Casey Davis. “In a new community space, we will work more effectively with our neighbors and our partners to tackle the root causes of food insecurity and build a more resilient, nourished community.”
Meanwhile, the application portal for FY 2026 Community Project Funding is now open, and the Edmonds Food Bank will submit a request for consideration.
According to a food bank announcement, this news comes during a week where Washington Gov. Bob Ferugson’s office is recommending cutting food bank funding by $20 million per year at the state level and the USDA canceled $420 million in local food purchasing programs for food banks.
“While we wait to see the impact on our programs, we urge our community to stay engaged and informed as we work with our representatives at both the state and federal level to advocate for these crucial resources for our neighbors.” Davis said.
For more information on the Edmonds Food Bank and how you can support, visit www.edmondsfoodbank.org.
This highlights the urgent need for the community to become increasingly involved in the Foodbank’s Capital Campaign to fund their project for their own building planned on the campus of Edmonds Lutheran Church. If you need more information about this project I urge you to contact Casey Davis or anyone connected to the foodbank, or simply stop by to learn of the need to address food insecurity in our community.
Paul Frease
Paul, have you considered contacting the IAFF local to solicit a donation? Or training them to do grass roots fundraising for you? The political action committee of this fire fighter union is now canvassing in our neighborhoods to ask us to vote ‘yes’ for annexation. Personally, I rather their time be redirected. The firefighters support our community in various ways- and I personally believe that what Casey, you, and the whole team are doing is extremely important in Edmonds. I gave you my contact info last year at the community meeting at the Lutheran Church. Reach out to me if you need a contact in the IAFF.
Thanks
Theresa, thank you for your comments and suggestion. Unfortunately I don’t have your contact information, so if you would, please call Sydney at Edmonds Lutheran 425 744-8090 and give it to her and I can then contact you for the IAFF info.
Thanks, Paul
This is very concerning. It will take a lot of grass roots support to replace these State and Federal funds. I hope the community is up to the challenge. It may be a good year for all who can to up our charitable giving. Our food bank is an important community partner. Thanks to Casey and all of the volunteers and donors for the good work you do and plan to do for those in our community making hard choices between food, medicine and housing.