Seattle Expands $800 Grocery Voucher Program

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle is expanding its grocery voucher program to include 1,000 more people who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut because of the coronavirus.

The voucher program was first announced in mid-March with a $5 million plan to give $800 dollar grocery vouchers to around 6,250 individuals or families who were struggling to make ends meet.

Now, the mayor's office says thanks to a $1 million dollar donation from the Oak View Group and NHL Seattle, the program will be expanded to help a thousand more people. The $200,000 remainder of the donation will be giving to 21 non-profits and arts groups at Seattle Center to keep their businesses afloat during the stay-at-home order.

In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Jenny Durkan celebrated the donation and the relief it will bring, but urged congress to do even more to help struggling Americans:

"Our city has been working on many new initiatives as it relates to rental assistance, meals, and support for artists and small businesses, but we know it is not enough for those who are struggling. For the tens of millions of families struggling right now, we need Congress to provide urgent relief for housing, food, and workers."

The grocery voucher program is being managed by the United Way of King County, who are working with several community organizations to distribute the vouchers to residents who need them most. Right now they say they are focusing on helping residents who can't access other forms of government aid because of issues like language barriers, fear of deportation or domestic violence.

The city has set an end goal of raising $15 million dollars for the food voucher program.

Non-profits and arts collectives benefiting from the donation include KEXP, The Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pacific Science Center, and Seattle International Film Festival. The city is also forgiving rent for April and May for all non-profit organizations that rent city-owned spaces.