🥫 Food Bank demand is going up

State Braces for Continued Government Shutdown Impacts

I probably don’t have to tell City Cast readers that, as of today, we’re 27 days into the third-longest federal government shutdown in history. Washington is home to nearly 80,000 federal workers. And as of last week, 1,625 of those workers had filed unemployment claims. Less than half of those claims have been paid. Of course, the impact also goes beyond federal workers. [Washington State Standard]

• Food Aid Program Funded Through November: The USDA has sourced funding from tariff revenue to keep up food benefits under the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC). In Washington, over 200 clinics serve more than 212,000 women and their children annually through WIC, according to the state. This is good news because at the start of the shutdown, the state had about two weeks’ worth of funding to keep the program running. [Washington State Standard]
  • Related: If you or someone you know is seeking food assistance or if you’d like to donate, find your local food bank here.
• Shutdown Violates Treaty Obligations: The shutdown also impacts reserve funding for many tribes. For example, SNAP provides food to 24 percent of all American Indian and Alaska Native households, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On top of that, non-Native farmers have been unable to pay for their leases of tribal land. [Underscore News]
• Kitsap County Steps Up to Help Federal Employees: Bremerton Foodline recently launched a two-hour shopping window for military and federal employees. Kitsap is home to 26% of Washington’s federal workers who have gone without pay since the government shutdown began. Hear more from the Foodline Executive Director. [KUOW]

🏆 The Mariners Are Winners In More Than Just Our Hearts: Big Dumper just took home a big award. Sporting News MLB named Cal Raleigh the Player of the Year on Friday. He’s the third player in franchise history to be honored by the publication. Making it extra sweet? He’s the second catcher to ever win the award. [The Seattle Times]

😬 Seattle’s Voter Turnout Continues to Be a Sore Spot: The Stranger formally surveyed Seattle on the upcoming election. Progressives are ahead. We didn’t need a survey to tell us that. But! Twenty-four percent of the people who voted in the primary say there’s a 50/50 chance they’ll vote in the general. What gives, Seattle? This election is going to be a nail-biter when it comes to the mayor’s office. That race is statistically tied among likely voters. Turn in those ballots! [The Stranger]

🍭🎃 Treats Only at Candy Corn Lane: Move over Candy Cane Lane! On Halloween night, 31st Avenue Northeast between Northeast 65th and 70th streets transforms into a spooky wonderland. On Friday, two blocks in Ravenna will be packed from street to sidewalk with tiny trick-or-treaters and their parents. Join the fun from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct 31. [The Seattle Times]