(FOX40.COM) — Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency and the Yolo Food Bank are preparing for emergency food distributions to residents in need with the possibility of SNAP food assistance delays.
The distributions are scheduled for the first two weeks of November, even after federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must keep SNAP running during the government shutdown today. Distributions will be held Nov. 5, 6, 12, and 13, with UC Davis student distributions on Nov. 8 and 15.
“There’s going to be six of them,” said Karen Baker, Executive Director of the Yolo Food Bank. “Two in West Sac, two in Woodland, two in Davis.”
On top of the emergency food distributions, the Yolo Food Bank is increasing food allocations by 20% across its 60 regular distribution sites.
“So many of our community members rely on these benefits to put food on the table,” said Tico Zendejas, Branch Director for Yolo County HHSA.
These expanded distributions come at a crucial time. In September alone, more than $5.6 million in CalFresh benefits went to nearly 19,000 households, or 27,000 individuals, and that need is only growing.
“We are in very close touch with our partner agencies. There’s a lot of organizations that help feed our community,” said Baker. “They’re seeing about a 20% increase in demand.”
Even as demand rises, Yolo Food Bank is making sure shelves stay stocked. They’re working with local farmers and grocery stores to provide fresh produce and household staples, while coordinating volunteers to sort, stack, and pack those items.
“We’ve established a brand-new campaign, November 1st, that’s called food first, where 100% of the money we raise will go exclusively to food and only food,” said Baker.
“We’re prepared to be nimble, to be adaptable, but also very proactive, whatever our community may need,” Zendejas said.
If you’d like to donate to the Yolo Food Bank, click here.
Noah Anderson
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