Local food distribution efforts started winding down Friday after court orders called for restoring federal benefits known locally as CalFresh.

The Kern County Department of Human Services said in a news release benefits covering the month of November will be loaded onto recipients’ EBT cards with no reductions.

Federal benefits have been paused as the U.S. government remains shut down amid gridlock in Washington. But on Thursday a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund CalFresh benefits, known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The administration appealed that order, the Associated Press reported Friday, asking the court to suspend any judicial orders requiring it to spend more money than is available in a contingency fund, and instead allow it to continue with plans for partial SNAP payments in November.

As benefits dried up, communities across the country began mobilizing aid to support families and federal workers, with some states like California even deploying the National Guard to aid in the effort.

Community Action Partnership of Kern, a charitable nonprofit active locally, started a special food-distribution operation earlier this week for impacted EBT recipients at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

In its own news release, CAPK said it was concluding the distribution effort at the fairgrounds.

“While the immediate crisis may seem resolved, food insecurity remains a serious issue in Kern County, where 1 in 5 residents do not know where their next meal will come from,” CAPK spokesperson Savannah Oates said in the release. 

“Every donation received during this emergency, and those still coming in, will continue to be used to serve residents in need. Thanks to (donor) support, November has been secured, but we remain prepared to reactivate emergency distributions in December if necessary.”

CAPK will continue serving affected federal employees from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday at the CAPK Food Bank along Feliz Drive. Additionally, food-insecure residents can still pick up supplies at more than 200 distribution locations throughout Kern County. Beneficiaries are asked to call 211 for the nearest site.

Wednesday evening, the Bakersfield City Council voted to provide CAPK with money from the council’s contingency fund. Following a motion from Ward 1 Councilman Eric Arias, the amount was increased from $25,000 to $100,000. Only Ward 5 Councilman Larry Koman voted against the measure.

Under normal circumstances, CalFresh benefits are issued on a staggered schedule each month, according to Kern DHS. Recipients who normally receive their benefits between the first and seventh days of the month were to have their November benefits available Friday.

Those who typically receive benefits between the eighth and 10th will have benefits loaded onto their EBT cards on their regular issuance dates.

“DHS will continue to monitor federal developments and will provide updates to the public should any changes occur that may affect benefit issuance if the federal shutdown continues,” the county stated.

CalFresh recipients are encouraged to check their benefit balance using their EBT card or online at BenefitsCal.com.

Recipients must continue to submit all required reports and recertifications on time to avoid any interruption or delay in future benefit issuance.

For questions or assistance with CalFresh benefits, residents can contact the Kern Department of Human Services at 661-631-6000, visit kcdhs.org or stop by any local office.