The story of Lori and her family made it on to King 5 News as an example of the types of people that utilize community food banks. The truth is that most households using Helping Hands Food Bank are families just like Lori’s: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed or ALICE households.
ALICE is a technical term for households that are above the federal poverty level and, therefore don’t qualify for many assistance programs, but make less than what it costs to make ends meet. According to their website, “ALICE workers were celebrated as essential heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they do not earn enough to support their own families.”
After using Helping Hands while supporting her father through illness and medical bills, Lori didn’t think they would need the food bank again with her husband’s job as a plumber. However, like many families, an unexpected injury and inability to work, meant they once again were struggling to cover costs. Fortunately, Lori knew where to turn to make sure her family had enough to eat and came back to Helping Hands Food Bank a few months ago.
Helping Hands often serves families who are a paycheck away from poverty. We serve households that are one car repair or illness away from serious financial trouble. These are families who have to choose between paying for gas or for food, between buying diapers and paying utilities. These are individuals and families who fall between the cracks of qualifying for assistance and needing assistance…and they are the ones who come to Helping Hands Food Bank the most.
But how many people in Skagit County live in ALICE households? More than the national and state average.
- 29% of households in Skagit County are ALICE (state average is 24%)
- The rate of ALICE households is rising faster than the number of households in poverty
- The cost of living in Skagit County are more than double the Federal Poverty Level across all household types,
All of these statistics point to one hard fact: people in Skagit County make less and pay more for life-basics, which leaves many of our friends and neighbors making difficult financial decisions. This is why the number of visits to Helping Hands has risen 71% since 2022 and, as stated in Lori’s story, food banks all over the area have become critical assets to communities.
The stigma of using a food bank is slowly shifting as more people find that they need it despite “doing everything right” or know people who do. The people who come to Helping Hands Food Bank are often employed, but simply do not make enough to meet the costs of housing, utilities, transportation, and more.
Everyone should have have access to food in a way that reaffirms their dignity and respects them as human beings who deserve to have enough food to thrive.
At Helping Hands, 90% of our funding comes from local donors and we need you to continue to meet the rising demand. A $10 donation will feed a couple for one month and $25 will feed a family of four for one month. You can easily sign up for automated payments and you could feed a family every single month!