The Sequim Food Bank is bracing for the impact of a possible funding cutoff this weekend for the federal government’s food stamp program known as SNAP. 

SNAP — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — could run out of funding November 1st if the government shutdown continues. The USDA says it doesn’t have the money to issue benefits, putting more than 40 million Americans — including 900,000 in Washington — at risk of losing grocery assistance.

Food Bank Executive Director Andra Smith says she’s scared about what may happen.

“I’m scared, first for the families who rely on SNAP to feed their families. And I’m scared because of what that could mean for us for the increasing need for Thanksgiving.”

She says over 10,000 individuals receive SNAP benefits in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

“What I know is that for every one meal that food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. So for there to be no SNAP available for any families in Clallam County, that can be devastating for a lot of families.”

She says she doesn’t know if the food bank will receive a big increase in those needing assistance. In any event, she ways they will not run out of food to help the community.

“No. You know one of the things that the Sequim Food Bank – we’ve been around for over 40 years. We’re pretty resilient. We’re pretty good and listening to our community’s needs are helping support them in the way that they can…so you may see some changes in how we do things to ensure that we have enough for food for everybody. You may see that we may provide less or may be out of certain things for a period of time until we can figure out how this is all going to work and shake out. But we are here. We want our community to know – that we are here.”

Monetary assistance to continue to help the work of the food bank is always welcome. Donations can be made online at www.sequimfoodbank.org