Your support of SNAP is critical to helping your neighbors reach their true potential and making our community thrive. Please read on to learn about the impact your donations have made.
New SNAP Client Receives Help Following Covid-19 Illness
Spokane Regional Health District reports that there have been over 133,000 cases of Covid-19 in Spokane County since March 2020. Flasha was one of the many who took ill. Covid-19 affected her, like so many others, in ways that she could never have foreseen.
Flasha was employed at an RV salesroom in Liberty Lake when she fell ill with Covid-19 on Mother’s Day 2020. Her employers were gracious, giving her space to take the time off to recover, but she ended up being out of work for over 1.5 months without pay. She visited the hospital twice, pleading for a blood test; the test came back showing she also had pneumonia, which explained her long-term, chesty cough.
As her illness and symptoms wore on, her financial situation became strained, and she was feeling the pinch of her bills. Her energy bill ultimately put her over the edge, and she worried about how she would cover it.
A friend suggested reaching out to SNAP. Flasha quickly responded with, “No, I couldn’t do that. They aren’t there to help me.” In Spring 2021, she finally decided to make the call.
Flasha remembers being greeted with amazing warmth, respect, and dignity. The person on the other end of the phone, Energy Specialist Amanda, was so kind as she shared her story, though Flasha was anxious about how she would be perceived. Amanda’s demeanor put Flasha at ease so that she never felt ashamed or intimidated.
Amanda has worked at SNAP since early 2021, helping clients like Flasha as they navigate the services they can receive. “I love that we get to help so many people,” Amanda says.
Even more surprising to Flasha was she received a call back within the week that her energy bill had been paid. “It was amazing!” she proclaims.
Today, Flasha is back on her feet, and while she is still feeling long-Covid effects, she is stable and happy. She has a part-time job in a jewelry showroom, which she loves, and she gets to spend time with her 5-year-old granddaughter in town. “My life is good now. I feel like this experience has moved me to where I want to go.”
Her gratitude to SNAP for helping her regain stability is palpable. She just learned of some volunteer opportunities with SNAP, so perhaps her SNAP journey is not over yet!
Partner Appreciation – recognizing those whose help we couldn’t do without
Each year we hold our Partner Appreciation awards. SNAP staff are asked to nominate partner agencies, vendors, and donors who have helped us in the past year, and who help SNAP make progress to attain our mission. This May, we were pleased to welcome back our partners to our annual Appreciation Event, after two years of virtual celebrations. Thank you to these staff-nominated partners who were extraordinary in 2021.
Thank you to these partners who were extraordinary in 2021:
Mission in Action Award
- Winner: Tim Crowley, Spokane County (Winner)
- Christie Anderson, SNAP Volunteer
- Mike Ryder, Kiemle & Hagood
Value of Community
- Dan Alsaker, Broadway Group (Winner)
- Lylle Weiss & Crew, Air Control Heating and Electric, Inc.
- NW Mediation, Dispute Resolution Clinic Staff
- Rania Kaur, KXLY
- Judy Current, Ombudsman Volunteer
- Linda Howe, Ombudsman Volunteer
- Brian Davenport, EWU
- Kathleen Schilb, Horizon Credit Union
- Andrea Lejeune-Weiler, Alpine Deli
Value of Respect
- Steve McIntosh, Kiemle & Hagood (Winner)
- Hannah Sheppard, SNAP Volunteer
- Ron Blair, SNAP Volunteer
- The ZoNE
Value of Justice
- LightsOn Lewis and Clark Educators – Jennifer Showalter, Mark Robbins, Andrea Bass (Winner)
- Better Health Together
- Dr. Nick Franco, EWU
- Fulcrum Institute, Dispute Resolution Clinic Staff
- Jennyfer Mesa, Latinos en Spokane
- Colin Tiernan & Adam Shanks, Spokesman Review
We are lucky to work with amazing partners to help us assist our Spokane County neighbors. Thank you to all the incredible agencies and individuals who support SNAP – including YOU!
Ways to Give to SNAP
There are many ways to support SNAP, and we are aware that terms like “QCD”, “DAF”, and “Charitable Remainder Trust” can be overwhelming. You’re not alone in this feeling! These are also accessible ways that can support your favorite nonprofits while also benefiting your financial situation.
With partner nonprofit, Transitions, we are hosting a free Investment Philanthropy Series to help donors like you get resources from financial experts about how charitable giving can benefit financial strategies. Learn about:
- Qualified Charitable Donations from an IRA account
- Beneficiary payouts from life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or wills
- Stocks or securities
- Contributions from Donor Advised Funds
- And More!
Click below to register to attend the free series!
SAVE THE DATE – September 15th
This fall we will hold our Power of Connection campaign, our largest fundraiser of the year. Our September 15th kickoff at the Pavilion will have a lot to offer – please join us!
Poverty Simulation
Food and drinks for all guests
Networking opportunities
Learn about the fundraising campaign and matching funding options
Hear from SNAP clients
Door prize opportunities
RSVP and learn more by clicking the button below. You can also call us at 509.319.3012 or email us at communications@snapwa.org
Dad’s Day Dash 10th Anniversary a Success!
Photo Credit: Isaiah Eyre 
We had a great event for Dad’s Day Dash and the 10th anniversary of a SNAP fun run! Thank you to the 360+ people who joined us in person or virtually – the weather wasn’t quite as cooperative as it has been, but that didn’t hamper the spirit of our families and runners! And thank you to our many generous sponsors! (See full list HERE). We will be back in Manito Park next June!