SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, about 30 National Guard troops arrived at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as part of a statewide humanitarian mission deployment ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
They helped sort fresh produce and boxed up meals — giving back just months after the National Guard was ordered by President Donald Trump to hold back crowds during this summer’s protests.
“This humanitarian mission by the National Guard feels right because it is right, and it mirrors the role they played during COVID when we deployed the National Guard and mirrors what they do in disasters all the time throughout California. And it’s a clear juxtaposition from how we see the federal government misusing and deploying our National Guard in the wrong way,” said Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer.
Between the January fires and inflation, demand at the food bank has been up about 25% this year compared to last year and things are about to get worse — with the government shutdown, demand is about to go up even more.
About 40 million low-income people across the U.S., including roughly 5.5 million in California, receive federal food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. But Newsom, a Democrat, warned families should expect an interruption to those benefits next month.
“This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action,” he said.
“And then this next wave really is the beginning of November right? The folks who were in the SNAP CalFresh Program, we have nearly a million households, about 1.5 million people, who rely on those benefits. And if this shutdown continues, they will not be seeing benefits, so that’s part of what we’re wrapping up for that next wave,” said Michael Flood, CEO, L.A. Regional Food Bank.
Newsom said he’s fast-tracking $80 million for food banks in nearly every county in the state.
The governor’s office said he’s building off of his efforts to combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom ordered the National Guard and volunteers from a state-run program in 2020 to work with food banks across the state to identify needs. Troops helped pack and deliver 800 million meals to people, Newsom’s office said. The governor will share additional details on the new effort as Nov. 1 approaches.
Earlier this week, L.A. County officials announced that they are aiming to provide an extra $10 million to help food pantries during the shutdown.
Higher demand and more food to give out means the more hands the better, and National Guard members are happy to step back into a role they know well.
“We’re part of this community, and anything that we can do to help those in need, to help the citizens of California, is what National Guard members signed up for, so we’re happy to volunteer in any way. And we’re proud to be part of this,” Lt. Col. Jason Confaloni said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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