Thurston County Board of Health proclaims January as Poverty Awareness Month

Food bank visits in Thurston County surged 30% between September and November 2025, with up to 25% of visitors seeking assistance for the first time. 

The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) learned of the spike at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at which it proclaimed January 2026 as Poverty Awareness Month. The proclamation urges the public to donate time or items to local food banks. 

Thurston County Food Bank (TCFB) Executive Director John Ficker addressed the board and said the organization has drawn unusual attention in recent months. 

"Over the course of the last several months, obviously, we've been highlighted, been in the news, been probably a little more popular than we would have even liked to be," Ficker said. 

According to the proclamation, the federal poverty threshold for a family of four with two children is $31,200 a year. 

In Thurston County, 8.4% of residents live at or below the federal poverty level, which determines eligibility for programs like Washington Apple Health and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

Outgoing BOH Chair Beth Harvey, a pediatrician, said she screens patients for social determinants of health. 

"The number of families that are losing access to safe housing and needing help with food right now is really escalating," Harvey said. 

Board member Perla Newton, who was elected vice chair of the BOH later in the meeting, asked whether the 30% increase stemmed from destigmatization or need.

Ficker said he wished destigmatization played a role, but did not believe it had. 

"Amongst those first-time users, we had a line of uniformed military personnel showing up at our Lacey food pantry," Ficker said. "We've had families who have reached out and called and asked questions, many seniors who are calling and asking about how this works." 

Federal funding instability has complicated efforts. 

"The shifting funding under our feet has really been challenging us to even prepare for this rising volume that we're seeing going forward," Ficker said. 

ALICE rises 

Many Thurston County households earn above the federal poverty level but not enough to cover rent, groceries and transportation. 

United Way of Thurston County tracks that under the ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) metric. One-third of Thurston County households fall below the ALICE threshold, as mentioned by Executive Director Chris Wells. 

A family of four with two children under age 5 must earn $116,000 a year to meet the ALICE threshold in Thurston County. 

"They're earning way too much to qualify for any kind of assistance, but not enough to meet their basic needs," Wells said. 

About 46% of Thurston County children live in a household below the ALICE threshold. The Rochester, Tenino and Yelm food banks have also seen similar spikes in demand.

Ficker said the food bank's mission is to eliminate hunger in the community in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. 

"We are concerned not only about those who are at or below that federal poverty level, but even those working poor that are challenged to just make ends meet," Ficker said. "They are making decisions about whether they go to the grocery store, get an Rx line, or pay their rent or car payments." 

The need also extends to schools. TCFB delivers about 2,200 weekend bags per week to elementary schools in the Olympia, North Thurston and Tumwater school districts. Ficker expects that number to approach 3,000 by the end of the school year. 

All Kids Win, a nonprofit that feeds more than 1,100 students weekly, also provides weekend food bags for Yelm School District, and middle and high schools in other districts. 

Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia, who was elected Chair of the BOH later in the meeting, recalled volunteering at a food bank during Thanksgiving 2025. 

"It was lines of cars that were there very early, waiting for a chance," Mejia said. 

Homeless census 

The 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

United Way of Thurston County will lead the effort alongside Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department and local nonprofits.  

Volunteers will sort donations on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, assemble hygiene kits on Jan. 21, and assist with surveys and events from Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. 

The organization plans to distribute 800 to 900 hygiene kits to survey respondents and people living outdoors. Organizers also hope to provide haircuts, emergency supplies and veterinary care for pets belonging to people experiencing homelessness. 

Data from the January 2025 count showed that 46% of respondents belonged to households with at least one child. 

"The number of respondents who report that they work full time or part time or do have incomes, they just can't afford to live here, is shocking when you dig into the data," Wells said.

"It's just really important when we conduct this count that we're not only providing resources to people who desperately need them, but that we're able to gather the data that can help inform the work that you and we and all of our partners are trying to do.” 

To lend a hand during the 2026 PIT Count, visit United Way of Thurston County’s web page. 

Residents seeking food, housing, or other social support can call the 211 helpline or visit wa211.org.