FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — As the government shutdown continues, marking one of the longest in history, hundreds of thousands of people across the country are being impacted.<\/p>\n
“A government shutdown resulting in federal workers not being paid, SNAP not being distributed to those in need,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer.<\/p>\n
Friday morning, Congressman Jim Costa and local leaders were part of a round table to discuss a temporary solution to help those whose lives depend on SNAP benefits here in the Central Valley.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the SNAP program, is scheduled to freeze SNAP payments beginning November 1.<\/p>\n
Costa highlighted how many people in his district would be hurt if funds stopped coming through.<\/p>\n
“This decision will impact 30% of my constituents in my district, that is over 67,000 people …230,000 homes,” said Congressman Jim Costa.<\/p>\n
The Central California Food Bank<\/a> CEO says about 660-thousand people depend on them and are receiving more calls now than ever.<\/p>\n “We’ve been seeing the impact for a while but the level of anxiety and concern over snap benefits funding has really multiplied,” said Natalie Caples. “The amount of neighbors calling our facility increased by over 100%”<\/p>\n Mayor Dyer announced that the city is contributing 250 thousand dollars, with 50 thousand coming from Councilmember Esparaza’s district.<\/p>\n ” I think what we need is to plan for the worst and hope for the best and that is why we are providing these funds to the food bank.”<\/p>\n Esparaza says he remembers helping needy families enroll for benefits and hopes they won’t have to experience hunger amid the holidays.<\/p>\n The Fresno County Department of Social Services also wants to emphasize that, despite what happens in November with funding, you can still apply for benefits at their office<\/a>.<\/p>\n They also want you to know that if funding is halted, it doesn’t mean your benefits are cancelled, they are just on a pause until further notice.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n