 Click the image to watch KING 5's coverage of available local food resources
As the federal government shutdown continues, over 200,000 King County residents were at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting tomorrow, November 1. Earlier today, two federal judges ruled that the federal administration must continue to fund SNAP with emergency reserve funds. This is good news for those who depend on SNAP benefits but there are also still questions about how quickly and how fully the program will be restored. In the meantime, resources are still available through some government programs and many local nonprofits.
Existing funds on EBT cards will remain and unused funds will roll over into November. Grocery stores and other retailers will continue to accept benefits. In addition, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program will maintain food benefits through mid-November.
Everyone needs and deserves adequate, nutritious food. If you or someone you know will lose SNAP benefits, there is still assistance available through local programs. There are over 50 neighborhood food pantries (offering groceries for shoppers to choose the items they need) and 50 meal programs (offering hot, prepared meals) in King County. Please share these resources with anybody who may be affected.
Tuesday, November 4 is Election Day. If you have not registered but would like to, you can still register in-person at a Vote Center until 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 4. If you need assistance voting, Vote Centers also offer King County Elections staff assistance and accessible voting units with audio, large print ballots, and other assistive tools to help voters with disabilities cast an independent and private ballot.
If you have received your ballot but have not returned it yet, King County Elections recommends putting it into a drop box instead of the mail to ensure it is received in time to be counted. You can put it into one of 85 drop boxes throughout the county by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Once you have returned your ballot, you can track it to make sure it is counted. You can sign up to receive text messages or emails about when Elections receives it, whether there is an issue with your signature, and when your signature has been verified and your vote counted.
On Thursday, November 6 from 6:00-7:30 PM at Bellevue City Hall (450 110th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue), join the City of Bellevue to learn about their Affordable Housing Strategy and the draft strategies and actions the city is considering for their 2025 update. This plan will help ensure there is housing in Bellevue for people from all incomes and backgrounds.
Drop in to this open house information session to learn about the proposal before the draft strategy is released in January. Light snacks and drinks will be provided and registration is encouraged but not required.
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