When federal food assistance programs came to a standstill, two Whidbey Island community members stepped forward to ensure their neighbors wouldn’t go hungry.

In March 2025, 11.2% of Washington state residents received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, according to a press release from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. A county-by-county breakdown shows that 6,100 people in Island County, or 6.9% of the population, receive SNAP benefits. Additionally, the shutdown could affect the distribution of Women, Infants and Children food benefits.

Amid this uncertainty, Oak Harbor resident Krista Vanicsek decided to act. What began as a simple Facebook post asking for groceries for a family turned into something larger when others reached out for help. Seeing the need, she created a

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