The federal shutdown put SNAP funding in limbo. California cities stepped up to fill the gap

Jackie Krentzman is a Bay Area-based writer and editor. Additional research contributions by Caleb Zimmerschied Valadez, freelance writer, Karina Rodriguez, Cal Cities digital media producer, and Cal Cities regional public affairs managers.

At the start of November, 5.5 million Californians - including 3.5 million seniors and children - temporarily lost access to CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), due to the federal government shutdown.

Although the government appears to be on the brink of reopening, a series of competing court orders has sown confusion over SNAP benefits. And community advocates are warning that the crisis could linger, as food banks are now short on stock and food orders are delayed.

Counties and nonprofits are typically on the frontlines of food insecurity, but many California cities are responding as well. Almost every city is sharing resources with its residents about county and nonprofit food banks they can access. Some cities, such as South San Francisco, Mammoth Lakes, and Riverside, are directly funding food insecurity programs.

"We are not immune to what's happening in Washington, D.C., but we are not powerless," South San Francisco Mayor Eddie Flores said. "It's a moment like this that requires us to lead."

The state has also released $80 million to support food banks, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has sent the California National Guard to help food banks pack and distribute food.

"From low-income residents to members of our military, there are suddenly thousands of Riverside residents who now are in danger of going hungry," Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Conder said of Riverside's $100,000 allocation. "This program is designed to supplement their nutritional needs until a broader solution can be worked out at the federal level."

Other cities are marshalling their resources and leveraging partnerships. San Diego partnered with a local food bank and San Diego State University to host an emergency food distribution event supporting more than 2,000 city residents. Sonoma is co-sponsoring a "Food & Funds Drive" at its city hall this coming weekend. Irvine will hold an emergency food drive in mid-November.

"We won't let the gridlock in D.C. stop us from doing the right thing here at home," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a post on Instagram.

Cities are finding creative ways to stretch their dollars to help. West Hollywood is working with the nonprofit Farm Habit to provide $15 in shopping credits to customers with a $0 EBT balance during the disruptions. Merced has placed food donation bins throughout the city. San Jose is exploring ways to set up hubs to assist Santa Clara County and nonprofits with their food distribution. Stockton council members are even volunteering at food banks.

Fresno Council Member Nelson Esparza last week called the conditions "truly heartbreaking." The city voted a few days later to send $250,000 to Central California's largest food bank.

"The horrifying reality is there are still families ... who will go to the grocery store and find out the hard way that those benefits were not renewed for this month," he said at a press conference.

Others are amplifying the work of their nonprofit partnerships, which some cities fund, such as in Santa Monica and Irvine. Santa Monica has partnered with a local food bank to add food donation boxes throughout the city. Irvine is advertising its free monthly grocery boxes on its social media channels, along with its free school breakfast and lunch programs.

The effects have not been felt equally. Many rural cities are struggling to help hungry residents, as they often don't have the resources of larger cities. For example, 27% of residents of Tulare and Imperial Counties had their benefits cut off, nearly double the statewide average.

Other counties with a high percentage of SNAP recipients include Fresno, Kern, Lake, and Del Norte counties.

Galt, a rural city in Sacramento County, doesn't have the resources to provide emergency food assistance for its 3,000 impacted residents. The city is coordinating with the county and sharing information about available resources through its social media channels, newsletter, and website.

"We are encouraging community support by providing direct links where residents can donate to our local food banks," Assistant City Manager Amie Mendes told Cal Cities. "Galt is a small, tight-knit community where neighbors take care of one another. We are confident that our residents will continue the long-standing tradition of giving and supporting one another in times of need."

The action taken may be varied, but California cities are united in their vow to help their constituents who lost their SNAP benefits.

"No family should have to scrape by or wonder when their next meal will be," Fresno's Esparza told Fox26News. "If the federal safety net falters, we have an obligation to strengthen our local apparatus. This is about taking steps to combat the forthcoming food insecurity that is happening as a result of the federal government shutdown."