This year at SNAP, we are observing a different kind of community celebration. It’s been 50 years since we were established as Spokane County’s community action agency in connection with the national “War on Poverty.”
I’ve been at SNAP for 17 of those years, the last five as CEO. It’s been a privilege to be part of this legacy and a true honor to commemorate this important milestone. As I’ve tried to wrap my thoughts around 50 years of SNAP, three themes came to mind – Honoring, Living and Leading.
This anniversary year we are honoring those who came before us and the foundation they formed. We salute and thank the many
founding leaders of SNAP such as Larry Stuckart, Pat Chase, Margaret Belote, Ray Rieckers, Rich Wright, Dan Jordan, Marianne
Demarco, Pat Rouse and Linda Petrie. Their work and dedication to our community created a strong foundation for the work that we are honored to continue.
Each day, my SNAP colleagues and I are living our mission and values established those many years ago, treating all clients with our core values of Community, Justice and Respect in mind while striving to fulfill our mission of providing access and connections to resources that create opportunity, with dignity, for people of low income.
Finally, we make it a point to be leading the effort to strengthen our community by stabilizing and equipping our neighbors to exit poverty.
Through the decades, SNAP has continued to evolve and change as the needs of the community have changed. The broad support we receive from funders, partners and sound board leadership allows us to be ready and flexible in serving our clients.
Many things have shifted at SNAP over the past 50 years, including the growing complexity of funding and regulations as well as our pursuit to understand and increase our impact through outcomes and data analysis. One thing has remained constant, however, and that is the unwavering compassion and commitment we have to the people we serve. It is that dedication that has made our community a stronger, more stable place.
Thank you for accompanying us along this remarkable and rewarding journey.
With gratitude,
Julie Honekamp, SNAP CEO
On a bright Saturday in September a couple of years ago, I drove out to Spokane Valley for a community celebration called Valleyfest.
SNAP had a booth on the grounds that day and I had the privilege of spending several hours chatting with attendees as they walked by our table. It became clear after a short time that a theme of gratitude was as prevalent as the blue sky above us.
People offered heartfelt thanks for everything from help with their energy bill to replacement of a creaky furnace. Some told stories of lowering utility costs after weatherization projects, others were appreciative of financial literacy programs that restored their credit or helped them buy their first home.
Along with the many stories of SNAP providing vital assistance, there were many I spoke to that day who needed our help. The afternoon was a reinvigorating reminder to me of why we do this work. In talking to former and future clients, I felt proud knowing SNAP stood ready and able to bridge gaps on their respective roads to stability.
When my outreach shift came to a close, I didn’t want to leave.
This year at SNAP, we are observing a different kind of community celebration. It’s been 50 years since we were established as Spokane County’s community action agency in connection with the national “War on Poverty.”
I’ve been at SNAP for 17 of those years, the last five as CEO. It’s been a privilege to be part of this legacy and a true honor to commemorate this important milestone. As I’ve tried to wrap my thoughts around 50 years of SNAP, three themes came to mind – Honoring, Living and Leading.
This anniversary year we are honoring those who came before us and the foundation they formed. We salute and thank the many
founding leaders of SNAP such as Larry Stuckart, Pat Chase, Margaret Belote, Ray Rieckers, Rich Wright, Dan Jordan, Marianne
Demarco, Pat Rouse and Linda Petrie. Their work and dedication to our community created a strong foundation for the work that we are honored to continue.
Each day, my SNAP colleagues and I are living our mission and values established those many years ago, treating all clients with our core values of Community, Justice and Respect in mind while striving to fulfill our mission of providing access and connections to resources that create opportunity, with dignity, for people of low income.
Finally, we make it a point to be leading the effort to strengthen our community by stabilizing and equipping our neighbors to exit poverty.
Through the decades, SNAP has continued to evolve and change as the needs of the community have changed. The broad support we receive from funders, partners and sound board leadership allows us to be ready and flexible in serving our clients.
Many things have shifted at SNAP over the past 50 years, including the growing complexity of funding and regulations as well as our pursuit to understand and increase our impact through outcomes and data analysis. One thing has remained constant, however, and that is the unwavering compassion and commitment we have to the people we serve. It is that dedication that has made our community a stronger, more stable place.
Thank you for accompanying us along this remarkable and rewarding journey.
With gratitude,
Julie Honekamp, SNAP CEO
This year at SNAP, we are observing a different kind of community celebration. It’s been 50 years since we were established as Spokane County’s community action agency in connection with the national “War on Poverty.”
I’ve been at SNAP for 17 of those years, the last five as CEO. It’s been a privilege to be part of this legacy and a true honor to commemorate this important milestone. As I’ve tried to wrap my thoughts around 50 years of SNAP, three themes came to mind – Honoring, Living and Leading.
This anniversary year we are honoring those who came before us and the foundation they formed. We salute and thank the many
founding leaders of SNAP such as Larry Stuckart, Pat Chase, Margaret Belote, Ray Rieckers, Rich Wright, Dan Jordan, Marianne
Demarco, Pat Rouse and Linda Petrie. Their work and dedication to our community created a strong foundation for the work that we are honored to continue.
Each day, my SNAP colleagues and I are living our mission and values established those many years ago, treating all clients with our core values of Community, Justice and Respect in mind while striving to fulfill our mission of providing access and connections to resources that create opportunity, with dignity, for people of low income.
Finally, we make it a point to be leading the effort to strengthen our community by stabilizing and equipping our neighbors to exit poverty.
Through the decades, SNAP has continued to evolve and change as the needs of the community have changed. The broad support we receive from funders, partners and sound board leadership allows us to be ready and flexible in serving our clients.
Many things have shifted at SNAP over the past 50 years, including the growing complexity of funding and regulations as well as our pursuit to understand and increase our impact through outcomes and data analysis. One thing has remained constant, however, and that is the unwavering compassion and commitment we have to the people we serve. It is that dedication that has made our community a stronger, more stable place.
Thank you for accompanying us along this remarkable and rewarding journey.
With gratitude,
Julie Honekamp, SNAP CEO