Local Food Banks Receive Extra Funds

The effects of the recent federal government shutdown were felt particularly hard by people depending on Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits to help feed their families. Many turned to local food banks to keep their families from going hungry.

“Before November, we did not have enough food for increased needs in our community,” said Zaida Woodworth, executive director of Food Backpacks 4 Kids in Key Center. “The government shutdown and interruption of the SNAP Program placed a heavy burden on us.” As a result, food inventories were low.

The Pierce County Council issued a $50,000 grant to four local food banks to help address the depletion of food bank inventories incurred during the shutdown.

Key Peninsula Community Services, Food Backpacks 4 Kids, KP Bischoff Food Bank, and Gig Harbor Fish Food Bank received the $50,000 to share equally, administered by the KPCS.

Council Member Robyn Denson (D-7th) notified KPCS Dec. 3 that it would receive the $50,000 from the county supplemental budget “to be used exclusively for the purchase of bulk food items to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity … All food must be delivered to the food bank no later than Dec. 31, 2025.”

The food bank managers worked together to plan purchases, transport, and storage of the food.

“Much of the food was purchased from Winco,” said Robyn Readwin, executive director of KPCS. “We all agree that we get the most food for our money there. Foods purchased are all nonperishable, including pasta, boxed milk, canned meats, and vegetables.” The most common food needs requested by families were the priority.

The first purchase of $10,000 was designated for the Bischoff Food Bank, which was reported to have the lowest inventory. Manager Steve Gulbraa could not be reached for comment.

The Zimmerman family and Purdy Cost Less Pharmacy provided logistical assistance as the food banks reached maximum storage capacity with the unexpected replenishment of supplies.

“It’s been an amazing opportunity to collaborate with the local organizations and strengthen working relationships,” Woodworth said. “The Gig Harbor Midday Rotary group was included in our planned purchases to help with the Little Free Pantry program.” (See “Little Free Pantries Do Big Job on the KP and Beyond,” December 2025.)

“The needs will not lessen,” she said. “All indications show that food needs will increase. Food assistance grants have disappeared. The outlook for federal assistance in the future is not promising.”

Key Peninsula residents contributed more than 23,000 pounds of food to local food banks during the shutdown.

“The food banks plan to store as much food as possible for leaner times when donations are down in the summer months and back-to-school times,” Readwin said. “We are planning for all year.”