FOR THEIR BUSIEST SEASON. REALLY NICE, FRESH PRODUCE. OH, LOOK AT THESE STRAWBERRIES. AND IT’S JUST IT’S JUST IT’S A HARD TIME. THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN NOW IN ITS THIRD WEEK, IS PUTTING NEXT MONTH’S CALFRESH BENEFITS AT RISK FOR NEARLY 5.5 MILLION CALIFORNIANS. WE’VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES THAT CALFRESH BENEFITS WILL NOT BE LOADED ON PEOPLE’S ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER CARDS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1ST. IF THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN IS NOT ENDED, THE WARNING SPARKING CONCERNS NOT ONLY AMONG RECIPIENTS BUT ALSO AMONG FOOD BANKS BRACING FOR A SURGE IN NEED. WE’RE GOING TO SEE IT IN ALL POPULATIONS, FROM COLLEGE STUDENTS TO THE WORKING POOR TO SENIORS TO THE HOMELESS, TO THE VARIETY OF PEOPLE WE HELP. IS IS ALL WALKS OF LIFE. WE REACHED OUT TO A FEW COUNTIES ACROSS THE REGION. SACRAMENTO TOPS THE LIST WITH ABOUT A QUARTER MILLION LOW INCOME RESIDENTS RELYING ON CALFRESH BENEFITS. EVEN AMONG THE VULNERABLE GROUPS, THERE’S GROWING CONCERN. WE DO HAVE A SENIOR MEALS RESOURCE THROUGH AGING AND VETERANS SERVICES THAT TAKES FOOD TO PEOPLE’S HOMES. BUT AS FAR AS WHO I’M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT IS PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO FOOD BANKS OR DON’T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO A PLACE TO GET FOOD. FOR STACY JACKSON, GROCERY SHOPPING IS ALREADY OUT OF REACH. AND IF THE SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON, SHE EXPECTS LONGER LINES AT THE FOOD BANK. JUST UNAFFORDABLE. VERY UNAFFORDABLE. UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION. IS IS REALLY GETTING TOUGH AND PEOPLE ARE NOTICING, YOU KNOW, WE’RE ALL HUMAN AND WE ALL SHARE THE SAME BLOOD. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE GREATER NEED FOR FOOD. AND SO WE WE EXPECT TO GET, YOU KNOW, EVEN LONGER LINES THAN WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. AND HOPEFULLY THE LATTER HALF OF NOVEMBER, THINGS WILL CHANGE AND THEY’LL BE ABLE TO GET THEIR BENEFIT. IT’S FEDERAL MONEY AND THE STATE DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FILL THAT. FOOD BANKS SAY THAT THEY’RE READY. THEY’RE READY TO MEET DEMAND. HOWEVER, PLACES LIKE THE STOCKTON FOOD BANK ARE ALREADY RUNNING AT FULL CAPACITY. IN SACRAMENTO, MARICELA DE LA CRUZ KCRA THREE NEWS. SO WHAT ARE COUNTIES DOING IN THE MEANTIME TO HELP PEOPLE OUT? YEAH, COUNTY OFFICIALS TELL ME THAT RIGHT NOW THEY’RE ASKING PEOPLE TO CONTACT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. LOCAL FOOD BANKS ALSO CALL 211. BUT WE KNOW THAT IN YOLO COUNTY, THEY’RE ALREADY PREPARING TO HOST ADDITIONAL FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE MON
Federal shutdown threatens CalFresh benefits for millions in California
Updated: 5:33 PM PDT Oct 21, 2025
The federal shutdown is heading into its third week, and it’s putting next month’s CalFresh benefits at risk for nearly 5.5 million Californians, potentially overwhelming food banks during their busiest season.On Monday, the Department of Social Services told counties that people who rely on assistance may not receive it. “There’s a lot of unknowns, but we do know that by Friday morning, if the shutdown is still occurring, benefits will not get back on people’s cards the first 10 days like they’re used to,” said River City Food Bank’s Amy Dierlam, the CalFresh outreach director.This warning has sparked concerns not only among recipients but also among food banks bracing for a surge in demand.”We’re going to see it in all populations from college students to the working poor, seniors, to the homeless; the variety of people we help is all walks of life,” Dierlam said.Sacramento County tops the list with about 250,000 low-income residents relying on CalFresh, followed by San Joaquin County at 131,891, Stanislaus County at 93,000, and Yolo County at 27,000.Even among vulnerable groups, there’s growing concern.Christine Huber from Stanislaus County noted that while there are resources like senior meals through Aging and Veteran Services, she is concerned about people who might not be able to travel to food banks or lack transportation to get food. Stanislaus County officials advise people to call their contact center at 877-652-0734 for any questions.Stacey Jackson, who finds grocery shopping unaffordable, expects longer lines at the River City Food Bank if the shutdown continues. “It’s really getting tough, and people are noticing. We’re all human and we all share the same blood,” she said.”People are going to have a greater need for food, and so we expect to get even longer lines than we have right now, and hopefully the latter half of November, things will change, and they’ll be able to get their benefit, but if not, there will be no benefits disseminated. It’s federal money, and the state does not have the capacity to fill that,” Dierlam said.Food banks say they are ready to meet demand, but places like the Stockton Food Bank are already stretched to capacity. County officials are asking people to contact their local food banks for assistance, as well as 211.In Yolo County, preparations are underway to host additional food distributions during the first two weeks of November.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
The federal shutdown is heading into its third week, and it’s putting next month’s CalFresh benefits at risk for nearly 5.5 million Californians, potentially overwhelming food banks during their busiest season.
On Monday, the Department of Social Services told counties that people who rely on assistance may not receive it.
“There’s a lot of unknowns, but we do know that by Friday morning, if the shutdown is still occurring, benefits will not get back on people’s cards the first 10 days like they’re used to,” said River City Food Bank’s Amy Dierlam, the CalFresh outreach director.
This warning has sparked concerns not only among recipients but also among food banks bracing for a surge in demand.
“We’re going to see it in all populations from college students to the working poor, seniors, to the homeless; the variety of people we help is all walks of life,” Dierlam said.
Sacramento County tops the list with about 250,000 low-income residents relying on CalFresh, followed by San Joaquin County at 131,891, Stanislaus County at 93,000, and Yolo County at 27,000.
Even among vulnerable groups, there’s growing concern.
Christine Huber from Stanislaus County noted that while there are resources like senior meals through Aging and Veteran Services, she is concerned about people who might not be able to travel to food banks or lack transportation to get food. Stanislaus County officials advise people to call their contact center at 877-652-0734 for any questions.
Stacey Jackson, who finds grocery shopping unaffordable, expects longer lines at the River City Food Bank if the shutdown continues.
“It’s really getting tough, and people are noticing. We’re all human and we all share the same blood,” she said.
“People are going to have a greater need for food, and so we expect to get even longer lines than we have right now, and hopefully the latter half of November, things will change, and they’ll be able to get their benefit, but if not, there will be no benefits disseminated. It’s federal money, and the state does not have the capacity to fill that,” Dierlam said.
Food banks say they are ready to meet demand, but places like the Stockton Food Bank are already stretched to capacity. County officials are asking people to contact their local food banks for assistance, as well as 211.
In Yolo County, preparations are underway to host additional food distributions during the first two weeks of November.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel