SPOKANE, Wash. – As the government shutdown continues, local communities are stepping up to support those in need. With cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) looming, many are turning to local food banks and pantries for help.
Cathy Delpizzo, director of Serve Spokane, highlighted the increased demand for assistance. “We’re seeing our numbers have grown exponentially. I mean a thousand more people this month than last month.” she said. The organization, started nearly 20 years ago by Delpizzo and her husband, is relying on donations to meet the growing need.
Delpizzo shared a touching story of generosity. “I had a donation online of a dollar and 82 cents. And I’m sure that came from a child, it was a little girl who just wanted to do something,” she said.
She emphasized the community’s response during these challenging times. “In the worst of times there also the best of times, we just see people generous and caring and saying what can I do?” Delpizzo said. “With the shutdown, with the lack of funding for SNAP, people are scared.”
The increased demand means food banks are depending more on community donations. Delpizzo noted, “We’ve had people from their gardens bringing the vegetables in. We have people stopping by with checks. I’ve had some online donations made that I’ve never met these people.”
She praised Spokane’s community spirit, saying, “We are more and more dependent on the community, and I have to say that Spokane is an amazing community.”
Delpizzo suggested the best ways to donate are both financial and physical, with a focus on shelf-stable foods. “The whole thing that we’re seeing is everybody really wants to do something. Sometimes that’s something really big and sometimes is a dollar .82,” she said.
For those interested in giving or receiving food, a list of local food banks and pantries is available in the link below.
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