Taking Action in Olympia to End Poverty and Food Insecurity

Ballard Food Bank Advocates for Legislation to Fight Hunger and Poverty

The 2024 Washington State Legislative Session began on January 8. During this short 60-day session, legislators are working on the state budget and voting on several bills related to hunger and poverty.

Hunger is growing in Washington, and we need both policy changes and more funding for services that support families and feed kids and seniors.

Ballard Food Bank is part of the Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition. We have signed on to several bills currently in the legislature that align with our mission and values of ending poverty and food insecurity.

Access to food is a human right, as is access to housing, education, and healthcare. Lack of access to these fundamental rights is a direct result of systemic racism and other systemic injustices that lead to poverty.

None of these bills relate to funding Ballard Food Bank, but they are all critical to our community and helping our guests and neighbors get the food and support they need.

Free School Meals for All Kids

HB 2058 Kids need food to learn and grow. Currently the income eligibility for subsidized meals is too low for struggling families, and the paperwork and stigma act as barriers as well. Pandemic programs proved that when schools serve free meals to all students, child hunger rates improve, meal service is streamlined, and stress decreases for parents and school staff. If they need it, every student should have access to free school breakfast and lunch.

Nutritious breakfasts and lunches at school help children learn and grow.

TANF (Cash assistance for families living in poverty)

HB 2007 would expand the time limit exemptions for cash assistance for families living in poverty. Cash assistance is the most effective way to help people living in deep poverty. Washington’s TANF program needs more flexibility to help families find a path out of poverty rather than cutting off assistance during the process. Very low-income families with children who face hardship and are meeting all program requirements should be given more time to reach stability.

Housing Stability

Food security is tied to housing security. Washington’s laws don’t do enough to protect tenants from sudden, excessive rent increases or fees. The lack of protection is helping drive evictions and homelessness, especially for seniors and people of color. To support housing security, tenants need greater protections and more time to be able to make plans prior to rents going up. HB 2114

Create a Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot

Individuals and families know their own needs and how to prioritize them best. The Evergreen Basic Income pilot would make sure very low income people have money to meet their needs in a way that provides flexibility, dignity and autonomy. Often, people are able to meet their needs and gain stability much more efficiently with this money compared to accessing different programs for food, housing, etc. Guaranteed Basic Income programs have been tested and proven to work.

HB 1045 would have positive impacts on poverty, hunger, mental health, housing stability, and more.

How You Can Help

We encourage you to get involved in the legislative process. Learn more about how to communicate with your legislators, participate in committee hearings, and more on the Washington State Legislature website.

During the legislative session and beyond, we’ll continue to share information about bills and other actions and how you can get involved to help all of our neighbors thrive.