Seattle Budget: Mayor Wilson Allocates $10 Million for Food Access
The proposal creates permanent funding for the Meals Partnership Coalition and includes $1.5 million for senior center staffing.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Mayor Katie Wilson proposed a $9 billion city budget that directs $10 million annually toward food access programs. The plan responds to reductions in federal assistance by securing local funding for community organizations.
One million dollars of the annual allocation is designated for the Meals Partnership Coalition, a network of emergency food providers. While former Mayor Bruce Harrell’s 2026 budget provided one-time support to the coalition, Wilson’s proposal establishes permanent financing. This change ensures continued operations for partners such as the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center in Rainier Valley, which provides hot meals, group activities, and food delivery to adults age 55 and older.
Brady Rainey, executive director of the SouthEast Seattle Senior Center, stated that the new funds will purchase food, supplies, and necessary equipment. He noted that the support is critical due to recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Councilmember Rob Saka supports the meals program and seeks to amend the proposal to add $1.5 million for senior center staff. Saka described senior centers as frontline prevention systems that help older adults remain healthy, housed, and connected to their communities. The SouthEast Seattle Senior Center plans to use its portion of the funding to hire additional staff and provide specialized training for patrons with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
The Seattle City Council is scheduled to vote on the final budget on Nov. 20.
