The California state budget should reflect our shared commitment to ending hunger. That means investing in the programs that work to end hunger every day, like CalFood.
Our network estimates that food banks will need $116M in additional food to keep Californians healthy, well-fed, and out of hospitals during this time of potential system overwhelm. (Budget request is for $96M as $20M already secured for food boxes.)
Feeding America has estimated that nationally over the next six months, food banks will need $1.4 billion in addition to federal assistance, roughly a $140 million need in CA.
Disaster Resilience: $32M one-time for food and supplies.
COVID-19 has already affected wildfire preparation, and a fire during the pandemic stands to create a multi-layered crisis.
$32M one-time will build the long-term disaster resilience of the emergency food network:
$8M for permanent, on-site investments to sustain emergency food operations during disasters.
$24M for hunger needs that increase during disasters.
Other Budget Priorities:
SSI/SSP COLA and grant restoration would help the 1.3 million SSI recipients living at 90% FPL by, providing $100 so no one on SSI is below 100% FPL & resore the state COLA.Link to One Pager.
Restore cuts to CalWORKS & restore the CalWORKS 60-month clock to ensure that no family be in deep poverty at, or below, 50% of the FPL. ESTABLISH A FLOOR FOR CALWORKS GRANTS to protect families from deep poverty.
Expand CalRecycle funding to at least $40 million in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funding for Food Waste and Organics Grant programs.
