Community organizations launch Walla Walla Valley Hunger Relief Coalition

WALLA WALLA— Dozens of community organizations announced a coordinated response to fight hunger through the Walla Walla Valley Hunger Relief Coalition (WWVHRC), led by Blue Mountain Action Council. The coalition is asking community members to donate funds and food to the WWVHRC to address the possibility that the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, will not issue benefits on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown.

SNAP benefits help over 42 million Americans, including seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families. According to the Department of Social and Health Services, in the broader Walla Walla region, over 4,000 households receive over $1.3 million in monthly grocery assistance from local stores. Local food pantries and meal programs do not have the capacity to respond to the scale of this need. Funds donated through the WWVHRC campaign will primarily be used to purchase food cards from local grocery stores, which will be donated to qualifying households throughout the region. This strategy will also help ensure that local grocery stores benefit from this additional revenue.

“Our region has always prided itself on collaboration, and the size of this need is more than any one organization can address. By coordinating our efforts, we will be able to feed more families by purchasing food cards and food in bulk,” said BMAC CEO Danielle Garbe Reser. “We invite all community members and organizations to join with us to support area families and our local grocery stores.”

 Ways to join in the effort to fight hunger include monetary donations via https://secure.qgiv.com/event/wwvhrc/ or by sending a check to BMAC, at 8 E. Cherry Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362, with WWVHRC in the memo line.

Donate shelf-stable pantry items or fresh produce to the BMAC Food Bank, 921 W. Cherry Street in Walla Walla, betweem 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Donate via a Donation Barrel available at the following locations:

College Place City Hall, 625 S. College Ave, College Place

Super 1 Foods, 710 S 9th Avenue, Walla Walla

Local realtor offices in Walla Walla through October 31

YMCA, 340 S Park, Walla Walla

Host a food drive. Businesses, churches, organizations, or families can organize a food drive using BMAC’s “Do It Yourself Kit” available on their website.

Anyone in need of food assistance can access the local network of food pantries and meal programs. A current schedule is available at http://www.bmacww.org. BMAC will announce the dates, times, and locations for food card distribution days to current SNAP recipients in the coming days.

Any organization, business, or individual wishing to join the coalition can email Walla Walla County Department of Human Services Manager, Sam Jackle, at sjackle@wwco.wa.gov or attend a WWVHRC meeting. Meetings will be held on Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the BMAC Main Office, 8 E. Cherry Street. WWVHRC intends to continue operating while the federal government remains closed to provide local service coordination and assistance.