Federal food assistance has resumed for thousands of Santa Cruz County residents after a shutdown-related disruption in early November, with local agencies scrambling to fill gaps through pop-up food pantries and expanded food bank operations.
Federal government shutdown 2025
Coverage of the Santa Cruz County impact and aftermath of the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and ended Nov. 12, 2025.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
As government shutdown ends, Santa Cruz County nonprofit scrambles to restart Head Start child care program
Encompass Community Services is scrambling to reopen Head Start, a federally funded low-income child care program, after the government shutdown and cuts to its annual budget caused the nonprofit to temporarily stop its services late last month.
Posted inLatest News
Community Bridges’ Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County program and Grey Bears launch new help for seniors
Amid a federal government shutdown that has disrupted food benefits, two local nonprofits are joining forces to help homebound seniors access both meals and grocery delivery.
Posted inFood & Drink
Second Harvest adding sites, doubling volunteer shifts as demand for food surges after pause in SNAP benefits
With a pause in food assistance benefits driving thousands of Santa Cruz County residents to seek help, Second Harvest Food Bank and its partners have doubled volunteer shifts to pack grocery boxes, plan to expand pickup locations and received more than $1 million in community support.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz Children’s Museum offers free admission to residents affected by government shutdown
The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery is offering free admission to residents affected by the government shutdown, including federal employees, Head Start families and employees and EBT/SNAP cardholders during the shutdown and while SNAP benefits are delayed.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County, other agencies approve $1 million in donations to Second Harvest Food Bank
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency over food insecurity Tuesday and approved a $500,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank, as federal food aid delays from the ongoing government shutdown leave thousands without assistance. Other local governments and organizations also pledged to help fund the effort, for a total of more than $1 million.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Santa Cruz County’s RV demolition plan tests the limits of California’s homelessness enforcement
What’s happening this week around Santa Cruz County politics & policy, courtesy of Lookout correspondents, plus stories you might have missed.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Where to get free meals and groceries in Santa Cruz County if CalFresh benefits expire
Lookout assembled a list of several Santa Cruz County nonprofits, organizations and restaurants that are helping to fill the gap by offering free meals, groceries and other services to those who lose food assistance.
Posted inLatest News
Head Start child care program for low-income families closes temporarily due to government shutdown
A federally funded Head Start child care program run by Encompass Community Services has temporarily closed due to the ongoing government shutdown, leaving 250 children without care and 91 staff members out of work. Encompass partnered with Pajaro Valley Unified School District to offer limited temporary placements while awaiting the program’s reopening.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
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 could lose access to federal food assistance in November as the ongoing government shutdown halts CalFresh payments, leaving families and students scrambling for support.