CA Provides $80 Million to Local Food Banks

Dear Neighbor,

The state has allocated $80 million to local food banks, and the governor has mobilized members of the California National Guard and the California Volunteers program to distribute food aid during the federal government shutdown.

The state’s actions are in response to the federal administration’s decision to cut off SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to 42 million Americans during the shutdown, effective Nov. 1.

The state has also filed suit against the federal administration, seeking a court injunction that would order the federal administration to reinstate SNAP benefits using $6 billion in SNAP-related contingency funds already appropriated by Congress. 

In California, SNAP is known as CalFresh, and the program provides food assistance to 5.5 million Californians, including veterans and vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors. In the month of November, Californians are at risk of losing access to $1.05 billion in federal food assistance.

In our Senate District 5, which includes all of San Joaquin County and Alameda County’s Tri-Valley, about 150,000 residents receive monthly CalFresh benefits, including about 123,000 in San Joaquin County.

With SNAP/CalFresh benefits on hold, California Health Secretary Kim Johnson is asking residents to donate to or volunteer at local food banks. Alameda County is also allocating $10 million to local food banks to help make up for the loss of SNAP/CalFresh.

To find a local food bank or food pantry near you in San Joaquin County, please click here. You can also go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Central Valley’s website.

In the Tri-Valley, you can find a local food bank or food pantry by clicking here. For a list of food banks throughout the state, go here.

Important note: Californians who have still have funds on their CalFresh EBT cards can continue to use them until the funds run out. In addition, residents can still apply for CalFresh in November despite the government shutdown.

Also, the state is expected to be able to fund CalWORKs benefits for November despite the shutdown.  

I hope you find this information helpful. It is an honor serving you in the state Senate.