Food Programs and Resources

Some of these programs have eligibility criteria and may not be available to all families. Adequate food is critical in early learning and school success for children. However thousands of families face a daily or periodic struggle to put food on the table. Use the resources below to help connect your clients to needed food.

The Family Food Hotline 1-888-436-6392

Call to speak with a resource specialist about local food banks, food assistance programs, the WIC Program, and the Summer Meals Program. Staff are bilingual (English and Spanish) and can assist clients in over 150 languages via free telephone interpreters.

Basic Food Program (Food Stamps)

Basic Food is the Food Stamp Program in Washington State. Basic Food helps lower income families buy food with an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT). EBT cards work like debit cards. Participants can spend monthly benefits in participating grocery stores. Learn more about the Basic Food Program.

DSHS Basic Food Benefit Estimator

To estimate your client's Basic Food benefit amount, call the Family Food Hotline 1-888-436-6392 or use the DSHS Benefit Estimator.

Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

The WIC program provides healthy foods, nutrition tips, breastfeeding help and referrals to lower income pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of five. WIC clients receive checks monthly to buy healthy foods at their local grocery store. Receiving WIC benefits will not affect your client’s immigration status. Learn more about the WIC Program.

The ParentHelp123 Resource Finder

Find a Food Bank, WIC clinics and other resources for your client by using the Resource Finder. Visit the Resource Finder.

Summer Meals

The Summer Meals Program, also known as the Summer Food Service Program, is a federal nutrition program that provides free meals to children and teens during the summer. Summer Meals pick up where school meal programs leave off in June, providing free meals and snacks to kids age 18 and under all summer long. Meals may be served at schools, community centers, libraries, churches, camps, apartment complexes, parks, or even from food trucks! All kids are welcome, and no proof of income, address or citizenship is ever required.

To find meal sites in your community this summer, use Summer Meals Search Tool.

Use the Summer Meals Resource Toolkit to promote Summer Meals in your area.