Last week, federal officials stopped funding for the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA), cutting critical support services, such as food, emergency shelter, rental assistance, and utility payment assistance.

That means that King County will not receive $978,863 in EFSP funds to serve local communities. As a result, people nationwide who have benefited from those crucial services could now experience hunger and homelessness.

FEMA says that officials ordered an indefinite pause on distribution of Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding that was allocated in the last Congressional budget. The move defies a court order mandating that the funds be dispersed. Since 2020, $8,745,497 in EFSP funding has been administered in King County; the funding was provided to 29 organizations last year.

Also, funding has been halted to the USDA for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which provides funding to tribes and hunger relief organizations. Washington State currently has approximately $2.8 million in unspent LFPA funds.

These disruptions in funding are a direct attack on programs that support basic needs. They disproportionately affect at-risk communities. Farmers, children, and your next-door neighbors deserve better. Support our neighbors in need by restoring funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program!

Last week, federal officials stopped funding for the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA), cutting critical support services, such as food, lodging, rental assistance, and utility payment assistance.

That means that King County will not receive $978,863 in EFSP funds to serve local communities. As a result, people nationwide who have benefited from those crucial services could now experience hunger and homelessness.

FEMA says that officials ordered an indefinite pause on distribution of Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding that was allocated in the last Congressional budget. The move defies a court order mandating that the funds be dispersed. Since 2020, $8,745,497 in EFSP funding has been administered in King County; the funding was provided to 85 organizations last year.

Also, funding has been halted to the USDA for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which provides funding to tribes and hunger relief organizations. Washington State currently has approximately $2.8 million in unspent LFPA funds.

These disruptions in funding are a direct attack on programs that support basic needs. They disproportionately affect at-risk communities. Farmers, children, and your next-door neighbors deserve better. Support our neighbors in need by restoring funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program!