YFS Accepting Donations to Help Island Residents Experiencing Food Insecurity

Over the past week, Mercer Islanders have voiced concern to the City of Mercer Island’s Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS) about the threat to food security caused by the reduction in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) distributions due to the prolonged shutdown of the federal government.  

YFS’s main food security effort is contracting with Bellevue’s Hopelink to bring its Mobile Market to the Island every two weeks to provide fresh food to those in need. YFS staff also connects individuals and families to regional programs, such as those through King County and off-Island food banks. 

However, YFS efforts to compensate for the scope of the current cuts to SNAP are not able to keep pace with the reductions. For example, a family of three may lose more than $750 per month in food assistance. 

Islanders have begun contacting YFS to ask how they can help prevent their neighbors from going hungry in the face of SNAP reductions. In response, YFS is accepting donations of gift cards (in $25 increments) valid at grocery stores with Island locations (QFC and Metropolitan Market), which will be provided directly to Island residents experiencing food insecurity.  

Contact Marina Gonzales, YFS Programs Coordinator, at marina.gonzales@mercerisland.gov or (206) 275-7743, with questions or to coordinate a tax-deductible donation of food cards to YFS. The MIYFS Foundation that supports all YFS programs continues to accept donations at www.miyfs.org.  Thank you for your support.