SNAP celebrates 50 years of stabilizing Spokane County

The year is 1966. A gallon of gas costs 32 cents, a science fiction show called “Star Trek” premieres on NBC-TV and golfer Jack Nicklaus wins The Masters and British Open. In Spokane County, Father Frank Bach, then director of Catholic Charities in Spokane, enlists the assistance of the St. Vincent DePaul Society to establish three community centers in Hillyard, East Central and West Central Spokane. The trio of resource sites would become the foundation for what is now known – 50 years later – as SNAP. These sites and the community-based programs they initiated were so successful that the Spokane Community Action Agency took over the administration of the neighborhood centers. The nationwide Community Action network had been established a year before as part of the federal “War on Poverty” that included programs like Medicaid, Medicare and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). By 1985, the neighborhood centers were serving thousands and had developed an annual budget in excess of $4 million. Growing beyond the scope of Catholic Charities, the collection of locations branched out that year to become Spokane Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and establish its own 501c(3) nonprofit status. In Spokane Mayor Sheri S. Barnard’s official proclamation regarding the transition, the agency pledged “to continue providing quality services and to ensure that Spokane remains a place that cares about its citizens.” The agency officially became Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs in December 1991, a name chosen to reflect the breadth of the agency’s operations. In 2008, the name was officially shortened to “SNAP” and legally changed to Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners to emphasize its role in collaborating with other local resources to provide residents with the education and tools to establish financial stability.

Former U.S. Congressman George Nethercutt, who represented Eastern Washington’s  5th District from 1995 to 2005, recalls gaining an appreciation for SNAP’s mission while serving on the agency’s board of directors. “Having served on the SNAP board years ago, I’ve seen how the agency has developed programs to assist those in need throughout the Spokane region,” Nethercutt said. “I want people to know the important role SNAP plays in the lives of those seeking work, in need of energy assistance or home repairs or just help stretching sometimes thin dollars go farther. It’s one of the best ways I know how to help our Spokane neighbors, to be on call in their times of need. It’s a testament to Spokane that SNAP exists.” Now offering over 30 programs, SNAP has a presence throughout greater Spokane at six sites, serving nearly one-in-10 Spokane County residents each year. The agency’s Financial Stability program offers free classes and counseling in areas like credit building, money management and homebuyer education as well as micro-enterprise assistance to help aspiring entrepreneurs. The model of paving a pathway for success makes sense to local business leaders like Rosauers CEO Jeff Philipps. “For 50 years, SNAP has been providing compassionate care to those who are vulnerable and in need within our community,” Philipps said. “SNAP is truly making a difference in the fight to eliminate poverty.” With a re-energized mission, a dynamic board of directors and dedicated staff and volunteers, SNAP continues to respond to individual and community needs by providing opportunities that offer stability to vulnerable residents and encourage economic self-sufficiency for those who are able. Nearly 70 percent of the agency’s energy assistance clients cycle out of the program within five years. “It’s truly an honor to be part of SNAP as we celebrate 50 years of service to this community,” said SNAP CEO Julie Honekamp. “As we look back on a half-century of fighting poverty, we know we have helped many of our less fortunate neighbors make tremendous strides. It’s an impact we owe to the layers of generous reinforcement from our many supporters. We celebrate this landmark year with them and all the clients who have utilized SNAP to improve their lives.”