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Emergency Food Assistance Program

Purpose: To prevent tribal families from experiencing hunger.

The food insecurity rate for Native American communities is twice as high compared to the general U.S. population and three times as high compared to White Americans.

What is the Emergency Food Assistance Program?

EFAP helps low-income households by providing an emergency food assistance voucher. 

What does EFAP provide?

EFAP provides vouchers to ensure nutritional needs are being met. This voucher is mailed out once a month and can be used only at approved stores, and is available for eligible citizens in our ten county service area: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, and Pierce.

How do I qualify for the EFAP Program?

You must be a Samish Tribal Citizen
You must reside within the ten county service area.

Eligibility

To qualify, your household gross income must be at or below the amounts listed for your household size and you must live in our ten county service area: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson or Pierce.

Use the chart below by finding the line containing your household size and comparing your income against the amounts listed to see if you are eligible.

Income Eligibility Criteria Matrix for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Benefit amount can change without notice, contingent on funding.

60% State Median Income (SMI) 60% State Median Income (SMI)
Household MembersAnnuallyMonthly
1$40,888.00$3,407.33
2$53,469.00$4455.75
3$66,050.00$5504.17
4$78,632.00$6552.67
5$91,213.00$7601.08
6$103,794.00$8,649.50
For each additional household member above six persons, add three percentage points to the percentage for a six-person household (132 percent), and multiply the new percentage by 60 percent of the State's estimated median income for a four-person household.
Household MembersAnnually
1$20
2$35
3$50
4$65
5$75
6$90
7+$100

Voucher amount can change without notice, contingent on funding.

 

 

Information On Food Insecurity

When children are hungry:

  • Hunger may flatten the normal curve of growth.
  • Higher incidence of infections; weakening immune system.
  • Families are 90% more likely to be in fair or poor health.
  • 30% higher rates of hospitalization compared to food secure children.
  • Psychosocial dysfunction & difficulty with social interaction among children 6 to 12.
  • Can cause poor school attendance & grades, anxiety & depression.

The elderly and aging: The underlying causes of or contributors to many of the nutrition-related difficulties that Elders face include:

  • Frailty and poor health
  • Compounded medical conditions.
  • Increasing disability
  • Extended hospital stays
  • Consumption of fewer calories & fewer servings
  • Chronic nutritional deficiencies
  • Weakening of the body’s immune defenses

For more information or to apply for EFAP please contact:

EFAP@samishtribe.nsn.us

Additional Resources

Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Spring Gathering


Join us for an afternoon of great conversation, culture talk and bingo.

Dates: 21 – 21 Mar, 2025

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RESCHEDULED - Ribbon Skirt Class

Anacortes, WA

New date: Saturday, May 24.

Dates: 22 – 22 Mar, 2025

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FULL - Quarter Bags Class (online)


Learn to weave a quarter bag, taught by Emily Blackinton Baker.

Dates: 25 – 25 Mar, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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History Talk: Lopez Island (online + Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Join Tribal Chairman Tom Wooten to learn the Samish history of Sx’wálech (Lopez Island).

Dates: 08 – 08 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Spring Fitness Challenge


Samish Elders will learn about increasing their daily movement activity.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Wool Skirt Class (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to loom weave a Coast Salish wool skirt, taught by Leslie Eastwood.

Dates: 12 – 12 Apr, 2025

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Samish Youthfest

Anacortes, WA

Samish is excited to host its first Youth Fair on April 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Fidalgo Bay Event Center!

Dates: 19 – 19 Apr, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

More Details

Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

More Details

Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Bingo Fun!


Samish Elders are invited to Bingo Fun!

Dates: 25 – 25 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Grief and Self-care


Samish Elders will learn about grief support resources and how to practice self-care.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

More Details

Community Dinner (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

More Details

Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

More Details

Ribbon Skirt Class (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 24 – 24 May, 2025

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Annual Elders Luncheon


Samish Elders and intertribal Elders are invited!

Dates: 27 – 27 Jun, 2025

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June Culture Day (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Join us at Samish’s Summit Park campus for craft classes, carving, cultural activities, and more.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Salish Sea Háwe7 (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Explore the Samish homelands by water with Island Adventures.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Camp Samish (Samish Island)

Bow, WA

Save the date for Camp Samish 2025!

Dates: 29 Aug – 01 Sep, 2025

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Fall Cultural Gathering (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Fall Cultural Gathering at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 20 – 20 Sep, 2025

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Harvest Fest (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Harvest Fest at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 01 – 01 Nov, 2025

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Christmas Party (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Christmas Party at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 06 – 06 Dec, 2025

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Virtual Christmas Party (online)


Save the date for the annual Virtual Samish Christmas Party.

Dates: 12 – 12 Dec, 2025

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