This month, United Way of King County staff joined our partners at the State Capitol in Olympia to advocate for policies that provide funding and resources for postsecondary basic student needs and food security.

United Way is part of the Post Secondary Basic Needs (PSBN) Coalition, which on February 5 met at the Abigail Stuart House in Olympia for its annual lobby day. PBSN has more than 400 individual members statewide, including students, state agency officials, and nonprofit service providers. This year, the coalition advocated for food security, navigation services, childcare, housing, financial aid, and mental/behavioral health care.

On February 10, United Way joined our partners for Hunger Action Day to highlight hunger and food insecurity issues facing Washingtonians. Advocates gathered at the United Churches of Olympia to prepare for the day of advocacy, then met with their state representatives at the Capitol Building. Advocates discussed measures such as the Sweetened Beverage Tax (HB 2734), which would raise revenue to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expand fruit and vegetable access, and support free school meals.

For more information about United Way of King County’s advocacy work, click here.