Submitted by San Juan County.
Partner agencies across San Juan County have come together to prepare for the possible stoppage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1. Local food banks and pantries, resource centers, community foundations and San Juan County public health staff are collaborating to coordinate food access efforts and strengthen support for our community.
There is tremendous energy and compassion in our community, and many people are looking for ways to help. We share that commitment. Food access coordination efforts are being finalized, and we look forward to sharing more details soon. In the meantime, please continue to support the programs and organizations that are feeding our community and supporting food access. We are deeply grateful to live in a community that shows such generosity and care for one another.
Local organizations currently working to support food access on your island are listed below. This list is not comprehensive, and we are working with our food access partners to update information and resources, and will be sharing this with the community.
San Juan County is launching a Food Access webpage to help residents navigate updates and find reliable information. This page will contain information for food benefit recipients (like SNAP and WIC, the federal supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children) and ways for community members who are able to support the ongoing initiatives. This page will be updated regularly and in partnership with local organizations.
Lopez Island
Lopez Island Family Resource Center.
Orcas Island
Community Emergency Response Fund – Orcas Island Community Foundation.
Orcas Community Resource Center.
Orcas Island Food Bank.
San Juan Island
SJI Resiliency Fund – San Juan Island Community Foundation.
Friday Harbor Food Bank.
Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center.
Other islands
Plans are in development for how this group of organizations can support SNAP participants on other islands.
