Financiación de MEND: lo bueno, lo malo y lo desconocido
The first gleaned produce of the season arrived at the Community Cupboard in late March. Gleaning is one of the ways MEND makes sure the food pantry is stocked with fresh produce. Although the 2024 gleaning season was not as fruitful as the previous season, the hope is for a more robust harvest in 2025.
Muchos de ustedes se han puesto en contacto con el personal de MEND para preguntar cómo las prioridades presupuestarias federales y estatales están afectando a nuestros programas, clientes y personal. ¡Gracias por su consideración!
La respuesta breve a estas preguntas es la siguiente: aún no sabemos cuál será el impacto total, y MEND tiene la suerte de contar actualmente con una base financiera estable y un sólido apoyo de nuestra comunidad.
But we would like to take some time today to explore the question in more detail and talk about some of the ways we are preparing for uncertainty.
The good news
Upper Valley MEND is supported by number of different income streams, including donations, private and public grants, retail income from Das Thrift, program income from the affordable rental program, and a small amount of investment income. Often a decrease in one source of income is offset by an increase in another.
MEND does not receive direct funding from the federal government, so we haven't seen a loss of income from federal government cuts.
The Upper Valley Free Clinic and the Affordable Housing Program are not at risk for direct funding cuts.
The bad news
While not directly related to Washington State's budget priorities, we learned that MEND was not awarded a state grant that has paid for the Gleaning Program for the past two years. Our application was less competitive because the grant prioritizes new programs over existing ones. This was expected but, nevertheless, sad to learn. In 2026, MEND will need to fund the gleaning program with general donations, find a new source of funding, or re-shape the program.
In addition, we have continued to see record use at the Community Cupboard, with over 943 households visiting this year. In all of 2024, we saw 1318 households. This means the cost of purchasing food has increased.
Upper Valley MEND is funded by a number of sources. Fortunately, none of them are federal funds that are currently subject to cuts.
The unknown
Some funding for staff and direct aid for the Financial Assistance Program is provided through the State, allocated through the County. This year, the total pool of funds for the 2-county region is being reduced. We understand that rural areas are a priority in the upcoming grant cycle, so we're hoping for the same level of funding. We will know more later this summer.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program, is currently funded through September 30. We won't know the fate of this program moving forward until the fall, when the new federal budget is adopted. If this program is cut, we will see an increase in food needed at the Cupboard.
The Community Cupboard also receives food through the Food Distribution Center run by the Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council (CDCAC). Some of this food comes from state programs, and the state budget may require cuts to this program. We will know more about this program by the end of the month.
We may see increased demand for all of our programs if there are cuts to Medicaid or the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 program, which provides housing vouchers. These are all federal programs.
In addition, donations from private grants and individual community members often follow the stock market's performance. Currently, donations and grants are on track to support our community so far this year. If the market continues to see volatility, income from donations and private grants may be reduced.
In February, Das Thrift saw lower income than expected, due to low tourism numbers in Leavenworth. We're watching this trend as well.
Moving forward through uncertainty
Our community always pulls together to support each other—through wildfires, global pandemics, and other unexpected challenges.
Here are some ways to directly support your local community right now if you have resources to share:
Donate food to the Community Cupboard. Join us at Safeway on April 19 from 9-3 for a food drive, or donate at the Cupboard during regular operating hours.
If you are fortunate enough to have a garden, consider donating produce you can't use to the Cupboard. Nutritious food can go a long way!
Consider a monthly gift, if you have funds to spare. Giving monthly can help nonprofits like MEND weather unpredictable changes, and it's easy on your budget.
If you have access to a Donor Advised Fund or similar giving vehicle, consider increasing your gifts to the causes you care about this year. (MEND isn’t the only nonprofit seeing impacts to funding!)
Donate gently used, clean items to Das Thrift. Consider shopping secondhand for your needs!
Keep an eye out for our Annual Report that will be mailed in mid-April, and/or attend MEND’s Annual Meeting to learn more about what the last year has been like for MEND and what we’re planning for in the future.
As always, please reach out if you have questions or are wondering about ways to make a difference. You can call us at 509 548 0408.
Thank you so much for being a Friend of MEND.