By Erin Longchari, Operations & Programs Director
Reducing food insecurity in an equitable, sustainable way requires proactively mitigating poverty, enhancing a supportive safety net, and dismantling systems of racial and socio-economic injustice. Our vision is a connected, supportive community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank supports the collaborative advocacy effort of our partners in the food insecurity landscape (like Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline, and Washington Food Coalition) to reduce hunger, alleviate poverty, and enhance a supportive community for all.
Here are just some of the key policies, legislative priorities, and budget provisos to learn more about and keep an eye on in 2024:
Increase emergency funding for Washington food banks and senior nutrition programs – $15 million in Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) funding to help food banks meet the overwhelming increase in demand and $15 million in funding for focused senior nutrition programs.
Healthy School Meals for All (HB 2058) – ensure all students have access to a basic tool for academic success: a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
Working Families Tax Credit expansion (HB 1075) – expand WFTC wage eligibility range to all adults age 18-65 (currently 24-65).
Guaranteed Basic Income (HB 1045) – pilot program to provide direct cash assistance to up to 7,500 very-low-income WA residents meeting specific eligibility criteria.
Wealth Tax (SB 5486) – continued work to adjust Washington state’s regressive tax system, where as a percentage of household income, low-income families pay nearly 18% in taxes, middle-income families pay 11%, and the state's highest income households pay 3% or less.
Individual and collective advocacy is powerful and our policy makers want to hear from you!
Find your district and reach out directly to state representatives and senators to encourage their support on critical issues.
Participate in the legislative process by email or attending a public session.
A stable, thriving community means more than just meeting basic food and hygiene needs. It means ensuring cultural, racial, and economic diversity and stability through affordable housing and renter/tenant protections, equitable access to health care, and supported public schools. It means families not needing to make detrimental compromises on nutritious food, paying rent, good health care, and opportunities for their children. As partners, supporters, and volunteers in our work, please lend your voice to ensure a stronger safety net and enhanced stability for all.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." — Martin Luther King Jr.
