Francis Garcia fills a box at the Othello Food Bank in the summer of 2022. A bill making its way through the Washington State Legislature would allow food banks to spend more money to provide needy families with non-food items like diapers, toiletries and hygiene products.
March 11, 2023
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Food pantries seek flexibility to aid families
OLYMPIA — Legislation currently making its way through the Washington State Legislature would give food banks the ability to spend more money on diapers, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and other non-food items in order to meet increasing demand. Substitute House Bill 1499, by Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Oak Harbor, allows food banks to expand the percentage of food assistance funding they can spend on non-food items from 10% to 25%.