Federal shutdown leaves 35,000 San Mateo residents without food aid as county rallies support
San Mateo County, California – Officials in San Mateo County are asking homeowners, businesses, and community partners to work together to assist feed families that are struggling because CalFresh benefits, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, have been put on hold. Because the federal government has been shut down since November 1, thousands of families are now asking local groups for support.
The County’s Sustainability Department is asking businesses to give away extra food and people to help with local food recovery groups. The San Mateo County Edible Food Recovery Program gives away food that has been recovered to people in need, serving more than half a million meals every month. The effort helps families and also cuts down on food waste and damage to the environment.
Officials have offered an online map that shows more than two dozen groups in the county that need volunteers to move, sort, and deliver food. People can also get in touch with the County’s network of Core Service Agencies and food banks, such as Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which organizes food distributions across the area.
Community leaders stressed that local actions are very important right now while things are unclear. Claire Cunningham, who runs the County’s Human Services Agency, said that some 35,000 people have been affected by the loss of federal payments.
“As the CalFresh benefits lapsed on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown, around 35,000 San Mateo County residents found that the benefits they rely on to feed their families aren’t there, increasing demands on our non-profit and food bank partners,” said Cunningham.
Samaritan House CEO Laura Bent described the situation as a community test of compassion and responsibility.
“When federal programs fall short, we count on our community which has always come through. That’s the good stuff we see every single day,” she said.
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David Canepa, President of the County Board of Supervisors, said that even though about $900,000 has been promised to local food banks, it is still very important for people to get involved.
Restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets that make a lot of extra food should check to see if they are obligated by state law to take part in food donation programs. Smaller businesses can still contribute by giving away extra food to employees, contributing directly to people in need, or using platforms like Too Good To Go to get rid of extra food.
The Second Harvest Get Food Tool and the County’s Food Resources Tool are two examples of tools that give those in need up-to-date information on where to locate free meals and groceries. Supervisor Ray Mueller noted that “every donated meal matters” at a time like this.
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County officials emphasize that donations and volunteer work—big or small—can help make guarantee that no one in San Mateo County goes hungry as the holidays get closer.
