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Thurston County Board of Health proclaims January National Poverty Awareness Month; United Way, food bank urge volunteers for PIT count
Summary
The board adopted a proclamation recognizing January 2026 as National Poverty Awareness Month. Thurston County Food Bank and United Way of Thurston County reported rising need—food bank visits up ~30% Sept–Nov—and asked for volunteers for the HUD-required point‑in‑time (PIT) homeless count (next count in 2028).
The Thurston County Board of Health on Jan. 13 formally proclaimed January 2026 National Poverty Awareness Month, urging residents to donate to local food banks and volunteer for the county’s point‑in‑time homeless count.
John Ficker, executive director of the Thurston County Food Bank, told the board the organization saw “close to a 30% increase in visits” between September and November and that 20–25% of recent visitors were first‑time users. He said the surge includes working families, seniors and uniformed military personnel seeking help and stressed the challenge of shifting federal funding for local services.
Chris Wells, executive director of United Way of Thurston County, described United Way’s role organizing volunteers and partner nonprofits for the HUD‑required PIT count. He said the PIT is moving to a biannual schedule and the next count will be in 2028. Wells highlighted local ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data and said 46% of respondents in the January 2025 count reported at least one child living in the household.
The proclamation asks residents to support local food banks and to consider volunteering with United Way for the PIT count; United Way’s volunteer information and staff contact were cited during the presentation.
The board read and adopted the proclamation during the meeting and planned a lobby photo afterward. No formal dissent was recorded on the proclamation vote.
