Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Olympia City Council approved a $30,000 emergency donation to the Thurston County Food Bank at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The council action aims to help families across the region, who are facing food insecurity issues.
In a referral initiated by Councilman Jim Cooper, it was stated the abrupt suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits left thousands of vulnerable residents without critical food assistance. This created an immediate and unsustainable surge in demand at the local food bank.
To help address the crisis, the city council agreed to release $15,000 from the Council Goal Fund and another $15,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency Fund to support the food bank’s emergency response efforts.
Cooper said the situation evolved rapidly as “significant drama in the beltway in Washington, D.C., is hitting us at home.”
He added that the Thurston County Food Bank has experienced approximately $1.4 million in cuts over the last eight or nine months.
While acknowledging the city’s contribution cannot fully meet community needs, Cooper said it provides tangible relief at a critical moment.
Mayor Dontae Payne agreed the contribution is modest, but noted the food bank is seeing about 40 new families a week.
Cooper also underscored the scale of need, pointing out that a family of four requires about $16,800 per year for food just to meet a basic survival threshold.
Councilwoman Dani Madrone emphasized the crisis shows deeper systemic issues surrounding food access and local food production.
“Food security tends to come to the forefront during a crisis. But there is a long-term work that needs to happen so that when there are disruptions, the impacts are not felt as deeply," she said.
Madrone pointed to Tumwater’s newly completed food systems plan and said Olympia should pursue a similar long-term strategy.
Council members agreed to revisit the issue during upcoming planning retreats, where they plan to discuss strategies for food system resilience.
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Boatyarddog
TRUMP Would say TOO BAD, you didn't Prepare for my INSANITY, and Bad clown tricks! Food Insecurity is a Pandemic in our Country right now. .Not because people don't try to help themselves, but because there are really inept Uber rich, greedy, manevolient, uncompassionate blowhards in Our Whitehouse right now. Our community will feed itself despite. Thank you Council members for helping out.
Thursday, November 20, 2025 Report this
Callie
There is one more day -Nov 21st- to give cash to the food bank through GIVE LOCAL https://www.spsgives.org/ which will add a small amount to your donation. And heck, while you are there, look for a chance to give to JOLT
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Boatyarddog, amen. Even first-year economics students can tell us why tariffs are bad and don't work. There is absolutely no good reason for food shortages like this to exist in the United States.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this