FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle, WA — HealthierHere today announced $600,000 in Food Assistance Investment grants to 12 local food assistance providers working at the frontlines of hunger relief. The selected organizations reflect the diversity of King County’s food assistance landscape and communities, from hyperlocal mutual aid groups that reach residents overlooked by traditional systems to largescale food banks serving tens of thousands per month. They will use the awarded funds from $25,000-$200,000 to purchase and distribute food to individuals and families in need across the region.

The funding will serve as a lifeline to organizations working with King County residents to navigate rising costs of living, cuts and eligibility changes to federal benefits like SNAP and WIC, and barriers to accessing nutritious food. Even short gaps in nutrition affect people’s health and well-being and can lead to death. Local food assistance providers report growing demand amidst federal funding cuts that threaten their ability to meet the needs of communities, many of whom are families, seniors, people living with chronic conditions, immigrants and refugees, and those experiencing homelessness.

HealthierHere launched the Food Assistance Investment to respond directly to these pressures. “Food providers in King County are navigating record-high demand at the same moment resources are shrinking,” said Tavish Donahue, Director of Program Operations at HealthierHere. “This investment helps stabilize their capacity during a moment when every dollar — and every bag of groceries — counts.”

All food assistance providers in King County who distribute a minimum of 250,000 pounds of food annually were eligible to apply. Awardees included two large organizations (defined as distributing more than five million pounds of food annually). Solid Ground was awarded $150,000; Food Lifeline will receive $200,000. Ten other organizations who met the minimum criteria were awarded grants of $25,000 each, including Asian Counseling and Referral Service, FamilyWorks, Hunger Intervention Program, Multi-Service Center, Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank, Rainier Valley Food Bank, University District Food Bank, White Center Food Bank, West Seattle Food Bank, and YMCA of Greater Seattle.

Funds will be distributed by the end of 2025 and will support immediate, short-term food purchase and distribution. The investment is part of HealthierHere’s DY10 Infrastructure Investment strategy which was approved by its Executive Committee and Board. It will help shore up outbound referral partners in HealthierHere’s Community Care Network who receive referrals for food assistance through the HealthierHere Community Hub. The current funding period runs through March 2026. A second round of funding will open in 2026.

The effort aligns with HealthierHere’s focus on health equity, says Matías Valenzuela, PhD HealthierHere Board Member and Director of Equity and Community Partnerships at Public Health Seattle & King County. “Food insecurity is a major concern in King County, especially in south county and Native, Black and Latino communities, and these are critical resources to support our local organizations and communities,” he said. “As a board member, we are proud to stand behind funding that reflects HealthierHere’s mission and allows organizations to focus on what matters most: providing food and support that is culturally-responsive and community-based.”

HealthierHere CEO, John Kim expressed gratitude that the organization was able to respond quickly to the growing crisis but cautioned that much more support is needed. “Food insecurity cuts to the core of health inequity. These investments will help strengthen the local safety net by supporting organizations already doing the critical work of feeding our neighbors,” he said. “But a problem this big requires more. The Federal administration should step up—not cut—its support for constituents.”

“No matter what,” he added, “HealthierHere will continue to work together with our partners across the region to strengthen systems that sustain community health and well-being.”

About HealthierHere

HealthierHere is a nonprofit collaborative bringing together more than 100 community-based organizations, behavioral health providers, health systems, Tribal partners, local government agencies, and more. We advance health equity by connecting and strengthening the systems that support whole-person health and community well-being. Learn more at www.healthierhere.org.

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