A volunteer grabs radishes to give a client during a food distribution event at the Community Services Agency in Mountain View on Dec. 2, 2021. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
The approximately 168,000 Santa Clara and San Mateo County residents who rely on federal food aid might not receive any assistance in November amidst the ongoing government shutdown.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in California as CalFresh, helps millions of Californians put food on the table every month by providing them with money on a debit-like card to be spent on groceries.
The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for providing the money for the program, which is then distributed individually by states. The Trump administration has said that SNAP benefits will not be paid out, starting Nov. 1.
Democratic state leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, are suing the Trump administration over this decision, arguing that the federal government is legally required to make payments to the program and pointing out that there are contingency funds in place for situations like this.
In a statement published by Politico, the United States Department of Agriculture said that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits” due to the shutdown and that contingency funds are meant for situations like natural disasters.
Though uncertainty lies ahead for many local families, there are several community organizations that provide food assistance for those in need. Continue reading for a list of these resources, as well as opportunities to provide help locally.
Where to find help locally
Food items available at the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos in September 2025. Photo by Zoe Morgan.
Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos: CSA offers services, including food assistance, to low-income individuals and families, seniors and those experiencing homelessness. The organization operates a Food and Nutrition Center three days a week.
Hours: 2-4 p.m. Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday
Location: 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View
Website: csacares.org
Phone: (650) 968-0836
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: Second Harvest is a regional food bank serving Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The nonprofit hosts food distribution events, featuring both hot meals and groceries.
Hours and locations: Use the online map to find nearby sites
Website: shfb.org
Phone: (800) 984-3663
Hope’s Corner: This Mountain View-based organization provides free hot breakfasts and bagged lunches for any community member in need three days a week.
Hours: 8-9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday, 8-10 a.m. Saturday
Location: 748 Mercy St., Mountain View
Website: hopes-corner.org
Phone: (650) 254-1450
Samaritan House of San Mateo County: The Samaritan House Dining Room offers hot meals five days a week to anyone in need. The organization also supplies boxes of groceries at its food pantry. A food voucher is required to utilize the food pantry, with applications available through the organization’s client services department.
Dining room hours: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Dining room location: 225 Tilton Ave., San Mateo
Food pantry hours: 9 a.m. to noon. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Friday
Food pantry location: 4031 Pacific Blvd., San Mateo
Website: samaritanhousesanmateo.org
Phone: (650) 347-3648
Saint Francis Center: This Redwood City nonprofit operates a pantry for take-home food services.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Location: 151 Buckingham Ave., Redwood City
Website: stfrancisrwc.org
Phone: (650) 365-7829
Ecumenical Hunger Program: ECH provides food for struggling families through hot meals, fresh produce and individual food bags.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Location: 2411 Pulgas Ave., East Palo Alto
Website: ehpcares.org
Phone: (650) 323-7781
Where to provide help
Sarah Howard, the produce sourcing and quality manager at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, examines some oranges at Cypress Center, one of the nonprofit’s two San Jose warehouses on June 16, 2020. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
Organizations across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are bracing for an influx of families seeking assistance. As a result, many are asking for food and monetary donations, as well as additional volunteers to help with distributions.
Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos: CSA is asking for financial contributions and high-protein foods, such as canned salmon and shelf-stable milk. The organization also accepts boxes of cereal, oatmeal, pasta, rice, vegetables, flour, oil, condiments and salad dressings. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
Location: 204 Stierlin Rd., Mountain View
Website: csacares.org
Phone: (650) 968-0836
Contact LaDrea Clark at lclark@csacares.org with questions about food donations
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: In addition to monetary donations, Second Harvest accepts non-perishable food items at its Cypress, Bing and Curtner warehouses. Some of the most needed foods, according to its website, are canned tuna, chicken or salmon; canned fruit; canned vegetables with low or no sodium; peanut butter; healthy snacks like granola bars, nuts and dried fruit; and rice and dry beans. Volunteer opportunities are also available.
Cypress location: 4001 N First St., San Jose
Bing location: 1051 Bing St., San Carlos
Curtner location: 750 Curtner Ave., San Jose
Website: shfb.org
Phone: (408) 266-8866 (ext. 102 for food sourcing team)
Saint Francis Center: The Redwood City-based nonprofit also accepts monetary contributions and is in need of rice and dried black or pinto beans. Additionally, the organization is asking for donations of whole turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving.
Location: 151 Buckingham Ave., Redwood City
Website: stfrancisrwc.org
Phone (650) 365-7829
State Senator Josh Becker’s district office: Becker’s staff has organized an emergency food drive, asking people to donate non-perishable items, which will be dropped off at local food banks.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Location: 3525 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park
Website: sd13.senate.ca.gov
Cops & Gobblers Event: The Mountain View Police Department invites community members to assemble and deliver food baskets every November as part of its annual Cops & Gobblers Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Know of additional places offering food assistance? Email reporter Emma Montalbano at emontalbano@embarcaderomedia.org so that we can add it to this list.
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