By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
As the federal government shutdown continues, thousands of Seattle families are bracing for the potential loss of critical benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food security to millions. In response, Alliance for Education is stepping in to provide emergency relief for students and families in the Seattle Public Schools system.
The nonprofit will distribute $150,000 in emergency gift cards through its Right Now Needs Fund, offering immediate support for families struggling to meet basic needs. This emergency allocation is in addition to the $1 million the Alliance already distributes annually to support student well-being.
“Every dollar we raise and distribute through this fund represents more than a transaction; it’s a signal to our students that their community sees them and values them,” a media representative for the Alliance said.
According to the Alliance, “These funds will be distributed directly through Seattle Public Schools and will help students and families purchase essentials like food and urgent necessities as the winter months approach. If you or someone you know would benefit from an emergency gift card, connect with your individual school’s social worker, counselor, family support worker, principal or front office staff before November 10.”
The Alliance says that the physical gift cards provide flexibility and autonomy — allowing families to choose food that best meets their cultural, dietary, or household needs.
To help sustain this emergency effort, Alliance for Education is calling on community members and partners to contribute. Donations to the Right Now Needs Fund can provide:
• $10 for a meal for one student
• $50 for a week of food
• $500 for a month of food for a family
The Alliance describes its role as essential when public systems fail: ensuring no student’s learning is disrupted by hunger or hardship.
Meanwhile, the shutdown also threatens the continuity of other vital programs such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. As of September 2025, WIC served nearly one-third of all babies born in Washington state, 36% of children under age 5, and 29% of pregnant individuals. The program operates 208 offices statewide and employs more than 650 people, offering nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, health screenings, and community referrals.
SNAP and WIC programs are widely recognized as critical to public health and long-term economic stability. They reduce food insecurity, improve child health outcomes, support early development, and even contribute to better educational performance.
“This federal shutdown will have a very real impact on families and communities in Washington state,” said Brittany Tybo, Director of the Office of Nutrition Services at the Department of Health. “The services these resources provide reduce infant deaths, improve the growth of at-risk infants and children, increase immunization rates, increase access to community supports, and help ensure early prenatal care for pregnant participants. All of these benefits are at risk for families, and the risk increases the longer the shutdown continues.”
