Council Members Call for the Restoration of Food Programs

Council Members Call for the Restoration of Food Programs

Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, [email protected]

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 4:32 p.m.

Council Member Shelby Lambdin will propose a resolution to the Spokane City Council at the upcoming Finance and Administration Committee Meeting on Monday, November 3, calling for the restoration of community support programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to the government shutdown, many assistance programs have been threatened, depleted, or eliminated. This resolution is a call to action for the community to support local nonprofits and organizations to help fill the gaps.

"The fallout from the government shutdown has placed an unprecedented strain on our community's most vulnerable," said Council Member Shelby Lambdin, who sponsored the resolution. "In proposing this resolution, we are taking a stand for justice and compassion, advocating not only for the restoration of essential programs like SNAP but also rallying our community to unite behind local nonprofits working tirelessly to bridge the gap. Together, we have the power to ensure that no one in Spokane goes hungry."

Council Member and co-sponsor of the resolution Paul Dillon stated, "The consequences of reduced food assistance programs go far beyond numbers; they impact families trying to put food on the table. This resolution serves as a call to action, urging every community member to see the urgent need and help restore essential support systems. It is our shared duty to make sure everyone can put food on the table, especially before the holidays, and that we stand up for each other in Spokane."

The resolution also aims to support Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown, who has joined a coalition of other attorney generals and governors in a lawsuit against the USDA, claiming that the USDA suspended SNAP benefits even though it has funds available that are sufficient to fund all, or at least a substantial portion, of the November SNAP benefits.

Furthermore, the resolution calls on the Mayor and the administration to provide community resource information on the City's website and on federal representatives to resume government operations immediately to mitigate further economic hardships.

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