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Funding cuts force reduced hours, service reductions at Newman and Patterson Family Resource Centers
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NEWMAN—The Family Resource Centers in Newman and Patterson are scaling back operations due to significant funding reductions, resulting in decreased office hours and service limitations for Westside residents.

Beginning June 2, the Newman office will only be open Wednesdays and Fridays, while the Patterson location will operate Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Officials say staffing cuts have made it impossible to maintain previous service levels.

In addition to reduced hours, the FRCs have permanently closed their in-office food pantry, which provided essential relief to struggling families. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the pantry distributed approximately 94,000 pounds of food to 656 households—serving an estimated 1,432 people. The upcoming Mobile Fresh distribution on June 12 will be the program’s last, as the organization searches for a new partner to take on food assistance efforts.

“This decision was not made lightly,” officials said in a statement, acknowledging the hardships these changes may create. “Providing food assistance has been something we took on because we saw the need and made it happen through creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to serving our community.”

The centers offer the community other essential services, including assistance with applications for programs like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CashAid, as well as utility relief for households behind on their bills. Between July 2023 and June 2024, the NFRC pledged $45,000 toward helping local families maintain essential utilities.

Alongside basic needs assistance, the NFRC provides free classes aimed at fostering wellness and community engagement. Programs have included Dance Exercise and Yoga in Pioneer Park, parenting support, school readiness classes for children ages 4 to 5, and Intensive Outpatient Treatment for adults.

Officials remain committed to restoring additional services when possible and urge community members to advocate for continued funding to support resource centers across Stanislaus County. Unlike other social service organizations, FRCs in California do not receive core funding and rely entirely on competitive grants, which fluctuate from year to year.