A federal judge stopped the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program from expiring on Friday. The decision forces the Trump administration to show by noon Monday how it will comply with the ruling and continue to pay for the program known as food stamps, which was set to expire Saturday – Nov. 1 – as the government shutdown drags on.
Despite the ruling, there is still plenty of uncertainty around the future of food benefits, including in Santa Cruz County, where more than 35,000 people rely on aid from the state’s CalFresh program.
As area food banks brace for a surge in demand from people unable to access their CalFresh benefits, local businesses, governments and community groups have also been stepping up to provide support.
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.
Dos Pescados in Aptos
21 Seascape Village, Aptos
The restaurant is giving out one free meal per family member beginning Saturday, offering the choice of a chicken burrito or bean and cheese burrito. A SNAP card is required for verification. Pickup time is between 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
Chubbs Chicken Sandwiches
766 Chestnut St., Santa Cruz
Chubbs Chicken Sandwiches will close for regular service from 5 to 9 p.m Saturday to hand out free, to-go only meals to those who have lost SNAP benefits. The business does not require an ID, SNAP card, or proof of need and will serve folks “no questions asked.”
Community Food Distribution
1000 Emeline Ave., Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz County Human Services Department and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County will hand out free bags of food on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Cruise Coffee Company
246 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley
Cruise Coffee is handing out free bagged lunches for school, and will offer meals from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. SNAP card and proof of residency is required and donations are also accepted.
Food Not Bombs
The volunteer organization offers free meals from noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday outside the downtown Santa Cruz post office at Front and Water streets. Co-founder Keith McHenry said the group is weighing expanding its meal program as the crisis with federal food aid evolves.
Read more here.
Haven Play Lounge & Cafe
108 Whispering Pines Dr., Scotts Valley
Haven Play Lounge is setting up a community food donation shelf for people to donate or take what they need.
Woodworm Party Store free pantry
827 Bay Ave., Capitola
The party store has a community food pantry filled with dry goods and refrigerated items, with plans to keep it open until the end of the year. The pantry is restocked daily and donations are also accepted.
UC Santa Cruz Redwood Free Market
UC Santa Cruz’s Dean of Student Affairs and Success office is asking community members to bring nonperishable food items to campus or drop them off at the Redwood Free Market in the Rachel Carson Cafe, across from the Rachel Carson Dining Hall, on Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. next week. Donate to support the Redwood Free Market through UCSC Giving Day here.
Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos
1817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz; 831-457-8208
The food distribution program is giving out free food from Trader Joe’s, Costco and occasionally other resources on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. No paperwork or ID is required.
Aptos Street Barbeque
8059 Aptos St., Aptos; 831-662-1721
The restaurant is providing free meals to children of families affected by the SNAP/CalFresh disruptions, “no questions asked, no strings attached,” it wrote on social media. Stop by the restaurant to order or learn more.