Federal shutdown could leave 35,000 Santa Cruz County residents without CalFresh as food banks brace for surging need

More than 35,000 Santa Cruz County residents receiving food aid through the state’s CalFresh program are expecting to see their November payment delayed as the federal government shutdown continues with no end in sight.  

CalFresh is the state’s version of the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, known as food stamps. Run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency earlier this month wrote on its website that “the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.” The federal agency also said it wouldn’t use an emergency fund of nearly $6 billion to support the program during the shutdown, leading California and 20 other states to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration earlier this month. 

Each month, CalFresh provides about $6.5 million to Santa Cruz County residents via debit-like electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which they can use at stores and farmers markets that accept EBT cards. On average, in September, Santa Cruz County CalFresh households received about $297 to buy groceries, according to the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department. 

In light of the delayed funding, county agencies and local organizations are advising recipients to continue using any remaining funds left on their EBT cards, to stay on top of paperwork to remain eligible for the benefit and to visit local food pantries and food banks for free groceries. 

The delay in CalFresh payments is coming as food banks across the country, including Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, have seen devastating federal funding cuts and are already stretched thin. Second Harvest CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez said the organization has lost nearly $2 million in federal funding this year, and the current need is “unprecedented.” 

She said the organization is expecting to serve about 100,000 people in November, compared to its baseline of about 70,000, as a result of the CalFresh disruption. Still, she’s confident the community will step up to meet the need. 

“This is the test of all tests for food banks,” she said. “We know how to respond to crises. We did it in the floods. We’ve done it with the earthquakes in the past. I think what makes it so different this time around is that it came really quickly.” 

To meet the need, she said Second Harvest is working with the 67 partnering organizations to which it distributes food, such as Grey Bears, Community Bridges and local schools, to prepare for larger distributions and more people seeking food and meals. 

“We have been working really, really diligently to make sure we procure all the food needed to make sure people have nourishment at home,” said Padilla-Chavez.

She added that Second Harvest needs volunteers at the food bank and at its distribution sites to help pack and distribute food. Volunteers can visit its website for more information. 

Padilla-Chavez and Santa Cruz County spokesperson Jason Hoppin said county staff will present a resolution during the board of supervisors meeting next week to authorize County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn to provide financial assistance to Second Harvest in light of delayed CalFresh payments. Padilla-Chavez and Hoppin said they didn’t know how much the county would be able to provide yet. 

Hoppin said the county needs local businesses, nonprofits and municipalities to step up to “try to fill this hole” as Second Harvest is going to need a lot of help to fill the $6.5 million gap in the coming month. 

Earlier in October, Gov. Gavin Newsom allocated $80 million to food banks across the state in light of the CalFresh disruption. Padilla-Chavez said Second Harvest is expecting to receive about $700,000. 

County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah said superintendents of local districts have met with Padilla-Chavez to discuss how to address the increased need and impacts on students. 

“Large parts of our community rely on SNAP and nutrition services on a daily basis,” said Sabbah. “This disruption is going to be very difficult for families, and we see this as a high priority for us to try to provide as much support as we can.” 

UC Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College students are also among the thousands of CalFresh recipients in the county. This week, UCSC shared a list of resources for affected students, including information about its free pantries and financial aid. 

UC Santa Cruz senior Yanet Barrera, who receives CalFresh assistance, said without the November payment she’ll probably visit the university’s food pantry for more items. She’ll likely also purchase less expensive and lower-quality food to make her funds last longer. 

“It makes me concerned, I only have about $90 left,” she said about her EBT card. “I need to find ways to make it stretch because I don’t know how long it will last.” 

Barrera said she’ll find a way to get by without the CalFresh aid but she’s more concerned about families who won’t be able to. 

“Food is such an essential thing, so it’s messed up that they’re taking it away from millions of families,” she said. 

Community Bridges spokesperson Tony Nuñez said the organization is continuing to administer the federal Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program benefits and assistance, which the federal government has continued to fund through the shutdown. Community Bridges, through WIC, provides food, breastfeeding support and education to about 550 pregnant women, 800 breastfeeding women, 1,100 infants and 3,800 children under 5 each month. 

Second Harvest Food Bank details

To reach Second Harvest Food Bank for any questions about food assistance, call its hotline at 831-662-0991 or email foodhotline@thefoodbank.org. To donate, learn about volunteer options and to find pantry locations, visit its website. Second Harvest Food Bank is located at 800 Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville. 

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.