by SAN PABLO, California — In a packed parking lot outside Contra Costa College in San Pablo, the line for food stretched far down the sidewalk on Monday morning. Volunteers worked tirelessly to hand out groceries, while hundreds of families waited patiently — a scene that’s becoming all too common across the Bay Area as SNAP (CalFresh) benefits remain paused amid the federal government shutdown.
Hundreds Turn Out for Food Distribution
“We’re expecting at least 500 families to come out to our distribution,” said Geo Dinoso, program coordinator for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
For Dinoso, the sight of so many people in need wasn’t entirely surprising. “It just speaks about the current state of people being able to manage and meet their needs,” he said. “Even with everyone working hard, it’s hard to make ends meet. People know that the CalFresh support is gone, and without that, they’re struggling to feed their families.”
SNAP Suspension Hits Families Hard
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides low-income households with funds for groceries via an electronic debit card. The lapse in funding has left thousands of Californians without their regular benefits, pushing them to rely on local food banks — many of which are already stretched thin.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has seen a surge in demand since the benefits were halted.
“There’s a lot of fear, especially among our most vulnerable populations,” said J.P. Contreras, a community outreach coordinator. “We’re talking about seniors and people with disabilities. We’re also seeing a huge increase in people who’ve never had to use our services before.”
He explained that even if benefits are only delayed and not canceled, the gap they leave behind is enormous.
“For every one food bank client, nine people were getting help from SNAP,” Contreras noted. “Now we’re trying to fill that gap while waiting for the federal government to restore funding.”
Uncertainty and Anxiety Grow
According to Food Bank CEO Caitlin Sly, confusion and anxiety have been growing since the shutdown began.
“There has been confusion ever since the government shutdown started,” she said. “Benefits are paused, and there’s no clear timeline for when they’ll be reinstated.”
Sly added that food banks have been told “partial benefits” may become available, but it could take weeks before those funds are reloaded onto recipients’ cards.
“That panic and uncertainty are taking a toll on people experiencing hunger,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many families unsure where their next meal will come from.”
Community Steps Up to Help
Despite the challenges, the Bay Area community is showing resilience and generosity. Zachary Harris, a Richmond resident, stopped by the food bank to make a donation. “What we’re going through is a little bit crazy,” he said. “If we can help out, we should. Hopefully, this will make things a little more normal.”
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Meanwhile, volunteers continue to pour in at food distribution sites. “It just brightens my heart,” Dinoso said, smiling as he watched people lend a hand. “Whenever there’s a crisis, people come together. We always look for the helpers — and they’re right here.”
Thousands at Risk Across the Bay Area
There are currently over 107,000 people registered for SNAP in Contra Costa County alone, according to local data. With benefits halted and no clear restart date, food banks are urging the public to contribute financially or volunteer their time to help meet the overwhelming demand.
As Dinoso and his team continue their weekly food distributions, they say community support remains critical in keeping shelves stocked and families fed. “We’ll keep showing up,” he said. “But we need everyone’s help to get through this.”
For updates on CalFresh benefits and community aid resources in California, visit race-day-live.com.
