Seattle Will Provide $800 In Grocery Vouchers To 6,250 Families

SEATTLE, WA — The City of Seattle will issue $800 in grocery vouchers to thousands of low-income families as part of an effort to offset some of the economic impacts of the new coronavirus outbreak in Washington.

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Mayor Jenny Durkan announced Monday that 6,250 families who are currently enrolled in city-supported childcare programs or food assistance programs would each receive a grocery voucher to help buy food, cleaning supplies and other household goods at any Safeway store in the state. The vouchers cannot be used for fuel, lottery tickets, alcohol or tobacco products.

"We know that working families in Seattle are already struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Durkan wrote in a statement. "As schools and child care facilities close, we need to do everything we can to support families and ensure they can put food on the table."

According to the mayor's office, the vouchers will be distributed in two installments by the city's Office of Sustainability and Environment and mailed as early as this week.

"Working families in our city are balancing keeping their families and communities safe, providing care and education for their children, and the blunt economics of COVID-19," Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said. "Food, housing, and health care are basic rights. Today's announcement provides some relief to working families."

In recent days, Mayor Durkan signed orders allowing for deferred utility payments and temporarily banning residential evictions during the coronavirus outbreak. Applications are now being accepted for the city's Small Business Stabilization Fund, which can provide grants up to $10,000 to certain businesses with 5 or fewer employees.