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More than a million L.A. County residents are likely to be hit the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cuts, which are due to take place Saturday as part of the government shutdown. In California, the program is known as CalFresh.
On Friday, a federal court ordered the Trump administration to keep benefits going, but it’s not known how that will affect the situation.
To help those who may be affected, local restaurants and businesses are stepping up to provide free or discounted meals. The effort started in San Francisco and now has spread to SoCal.
We’re compiling a list of places providing support. If you know of any other businesses offering help, contact me at gchabran@laist.com, and I’ll keep the list updated.
Bé Ù Viet Street Food (Virgil Village)
The Vietnamese counter-service restaurant offers a pay-what-you-can, no-questions-asked option on certain menu items.
Location: 557 N. Hoover St., Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday.
Kreung Cambodian pop-up (Culver City)
One example of restaurants stepping up to help
The Cambodian pop-up at Bar & Garden in Culver City will be offering a free bowl of chicken rice porridge every Sunday, available while supplies last, as long as benefits are put on hold.
Location: 6142 Washington Blvd., Culver City
Hours: Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m.
Bar Becky (Long Beach)
Bar Becky, a modern restaurant bistro located in Long Beach, has, as promised, agreed to feed any child with proof of SNAP with the purchase of an entree.
Chef Johnathan Benvenuti has pledged that throughout November, anyone who can show proof of a SNAP benefit card and purchase a regular entrée will have kids eat free with a bowl of pasta, fruit and a scoop of ice cream.
Location: 3860 Worsham Ave., Unit 330, Long Beach
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Closed Monday.
Other forms of help
There are multiple food banks in the region — you can find a comprehensive list here.
Supermarket chain Gelson’s has recently partnered with Flashfood, an app. It offers discounted produce boxes filled with fresh fruit and vegetables for $9 at select locations in Silver Lake, Hollywood, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles and North Hollywood.