North Helpline and the Hunger Intervention Program feed thousands of people annually, serving the North Seattle area for decades. But in July, the two nonprofits announced they were forming North Seattle Food Connection.
The groups have had different approaches to fighting food insecurity. North Helpline runs two food banks and offers homelessness prevention services. Hunger Intervention Program provides prepared meals and nutrition education services.
By joining forces, the groups hope to reach more people and streamline and expand their services. Srijan Chakraborty is helping lead both groups as they combine their operations and will serve as the co-executive director of North Seattle Food Connection. He said the need for their services will only grow as cost of living increases.
“I wish things were getting better, but unfortunately, people are feeling the squeeze as like rents are going up, food prices are up, fuel prices are up,” he said. “Food insecurity is still pretty high.”
Chakraborty said this will be especially important as it becomes harder to access federal assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In July 2025, congressional republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which expanded work requirements for SNAP Benefits. It will also soon force states to pay millions in additional costs to be able to continue offering food stamps.
Since that legislation passed, the Center for Public Policy estimates between July 2025 to April 2026, more than 33,000 fewer people in Washington state participated in SNAP.
According to Chakraborty, it will take time for the two nonprofits to fully integrate their services, but “as much as possible, we are trying to add capacity, do more.”
As the Hunger Intervention Program and North Helpline combine over the next year, their services shouldn’t be disrupted. Chakraborty also said no layoffs are expected as a result of the merger.
