Blue Star Families Puget Sound expands outreach as one in five military families report food insecurity

Megan Barnes, executive director of the Puget Sound chapter of Blue Star Families, briefed the committee on local programming and growing needs among military families in western Washington.

"Blue Star Families is a national nonprofit that serves military‑connected families, caregivers and veterans," Barnes said. The Puget Sound chapter launched in August 2023 and offers locally tailored programs including monthly "coffee connects," a children’s book club at JBLM, outdoor‑cohort activities in partnership with the National Park Service and REI, resume and career workshops for transitioning service members and spouses, and an online community called Blue Star Neighborhood.

Barnes told members the chapter ran more than 70 events across the South Sound in 2024 and recently held a Welcome Week to help families who PCS into the region. She highlighted partnerships with the Cohen Clinic (which serves as an outpost and ambassador) and other local nonprofits to expand services.

Committee members and Barnes discussed food insecurity. A committee member noted "one in five" Washington military families report food insecurity; Barnes said the chapter is distributing grocery gift cards (a donation from Chobani) and coordinating with the Lacey Veterans Service Hub and the armed‑services YMCA to meet immediate needs.

Barnes said the chapter intends to expand beyond the South Sound with a mix of outposts and chapter growth to reach installations such as Fairchild Air Force Base and communities in Spokane and north to Bellingham. She asked legislators and community partners to help identify local nonprofit outposts and ambassadors to scale programming more broadly across the state.

Committee members thanked the presenters and noted potential follow‑up on food assistance and child‑care eligibility for military families.