In October 2025, the U.S. government announced that on November 1, Americans receiving SNAP would see at least a 50 percent cut in their benefits because of the federal shutdown. It later said recipients could receive up to 65 percent of their benefits, but this maximum amount was not guaranteed.

Following a court order, Washington State began the process of releasing full benefits on November 7. The Trump administration has since ordered states to “undo” these payments, but a federal judge is currently blocking this from happening.

These delays and uncertainty impact the 40 million Americans who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Some have yet to receive their November benefits, and those who have know the money may later be rescinded. The impact of these SNAP cuts is hitting our local communities hard, including many of the families who live at Vision House – whose housing insecurity and related factors put their finances particularly at risk. Here in Washington State, DSHS estimates that 930,000 people are impacted by the SNAP cuts and delays: 33% of them are children, 33% are disabled or elderly, and 30,000 are veterans.

 What Families Are Saying

Yet when we talk to the families Vision House serves , they’re not just worried about their own families.

We recently spoke with a mother who was picking up food for her children. We invited her to take more, but she firmly declined. “I want to make sure the other babies get food too,” she told us. “We’ll be okay.”

This conversation highlights the beautiful care and community we experience among Vision House families. It reminds us of all the ways the families we serve reflect the image of God – to us and each other – as they show love to others while navigating immense challenges of their own.

Putting Our Faith in Action

At this moment, so many in our churches and communities are asking how they can take action to support local families in practical ways. It brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.”

With less money in their holiday budgets, parents may have to choose between taking their kids to the doctor or putting food on the table. Many kids who have outgrown last year’s winter coat will go to school in worn-out winter clothes and too-tight shoes.

As Christians, we know that feeding the hungry, clothing people, and helping those who are without is not optional. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 and 40 are clear, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. … Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

 If you’re looking for a way to support our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, here are five practical things you can do this Thanksgiving season.

1. Donate to Vision House: With local food prices continuing to rise and SNAP benefits uncertain, our budget can’t keep up. We’re working with families in our transitional housing program to assess their greatest needs and purchase key food staples. We’re also purchasing food for families living in cars and tents, including ready-to-eat snacks, meat like SPAM and tuna, and bowls of instant noodles.

Food isn’t the only need we’re addressing right now. Winter is a tough time in the Pacific Northwest; we distributed more cold-weather gear in October than in all of 2024, including gloves, sleeping bags, and tents. Your gift will provide families with food and care – meeting the physical and emotional needs of local children and families.

Your gift today will have an immediate impact. You can also reach out to your employer to see if they’re one of the many companies that match donations.

 2. Get your church involved: Local churches across King County are already springing into action to help our neighbors impacted by the SNAP cuts. You can join in efforts your church already has planned or help start a new project or effort with your church or Bible study.

With Christmas coming up, you might hold a food drive to collect shelf-stable items like stuffing, gravy, green beans, crispy fried onions, cranberry jelly, and instant mashed potatoes. You can coordinate with a local food bank and pack boxes of most-needed food staples, donate grocery gift cards, or raise funds. If you know of church or community members who are SNAP recipients, you can coordinate a Meal Train for them.

 3. Contact an organization and work with them to determine how best to support those in crisis. If you’re connected with a church or with service organizations or youth programs that focus on volunteering: connect with a soup kitchen, food bank, or other nonprofit in your area. Make sure to ask about their biggest need, instead of making assumptions. They may already have plenty of canned goods but be running low on things like dog food or hygiene items.

 You can find your local food bank through Feeding America’s interactive map or search for food banks, community dinners, meal services, and other resources near you at FindHelp.org.