Statement on CalFresh (SNAP) Benefit Delay Due to Government Shutdown

CalFresh (SNAP) is the most effective tool our country has to address hunger in our communities. The delay in SNAP benefits starting November 1 caused by the federal government shutdown will force over 5.5 million food-insecure Californians, who rely on this resource for themselves and their families, to turn to alternative food sources like food banks. For every meal a food bank provides, CalFresh provides nine.

In addition, California is home to more than 170,000 federal employees and 1.8 million military-connected households, all of whom now live under the uncertainty of how they will pay their bills during this government shutdown.

Food banks play a vital role as trusted community partners and are essential to the state’s safety net. When the federal shutdown began, CAFB’s 42 member food banks and their network of more than 5,000 community-based organizations were ready and will continue working diligently to assist their neighbors if the demand for support increases. What this looks like in our communities are drive-through food distributions, school backpack programs, food pantries, soup kitchens and faith-based organizations who come together to serve their neighbors. For assistance finding food, people can visit www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food, or call 2-1-1.

We are grateful for the $80 million in CalFood funding that the state has provided this year for food banks to purchase California-grown and manufactured foods. This is a critical investment in feeding our communities in need and an important investment in local economies.

We urge those who have resources and time to consider volunteering or donating funds, shelf-stable food, and hygiene items to theirlocal food bank. A full list of CAFB food banks can be found at www.cafoodbanks.org/members.

For data and reports on CalFresh participation and food insecurity in California, please visit https://www.cafoodbanks.org/hunger-data-reports/.