By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Shutdown threatens food assistance across Central Valley, families brace for November delays
foods

GUSTINE  — As the federal government shutdown stretches into another week, families across California’s Central Valley are growing increasingly anxious about the fate of food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC. With November benefits in jeopardy, residents in Merced and Stanislaus counties are preparing for tough choices and tighter budgets.

Local food banks, including the Merced County Food Bank and Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, are bracing for a surge in demand. Community organizations and churches have ramped up emergency distributions, but many families say the uncertainty is already taking a toll.

“We’re Not Asking for Handouts — We’re Asking for Help”
In Gustine, Maria Ramirez and her husband both work — one in a packing plant, the other part-time at a grocery store — but their household still relies on monthly SNAP benefits and school meal programs to feed their two children.

“Even with both of us working, food prices are just too high,” Ramirez said. “We try to keep the fridge full, but everything’s gone up. Milk, bread, even eggs. It feels like we’re running in place. We’re not asking for handouts — we’re asking for help when we need it.”

The Ramirez family plans to return to the Merced County Food Bank if the shutdown continues into November. “People around here look out for each other,” she added. “We check in with our neighbors, share when we can, and make sure no one goes hungry. That’s what keeps us going — knowing we’re not alone.”

“It’s Hard When You’re Doing Everything Right”
In Newman, Anthony Johnson and his wife both work full-time, but with a child in college and rising costs, their budget is stretched thin.

“It’s hard when you’re doing everything right — working, budgeting, saving — and it still doesn’t feel like enough,” Johnson said. “We’ve already cut back on everything we can. The idea that our food benefits might stop next month is terrifying.”

Johnson said his family is exploring local church pantries and community food distributions as backup options.

Los Banos Family Feels the Pinch
For Isabella Hernandez, a single mother of three in Los Banos, the uncertainty has been weighing heavily.

“I already plan our meals a week at a time, use coupons, and try to make everything last,” Hernandez said. “But if those benefits stop, I honestly don’t know how I’ll keep up. The food bank in Los Banos has helped us before, and they always make us feel welcome. But it’s sad that so many people are in the same position.”

“We’re All Just Trying to Take Care of Family”
In Patterson, Carlos and Elena Torres are also feeling the pressure. Carlos works in construction and Elena part-time in childcare, but even steady jobs haven’t shield them from food insecurity.

“We’re all just trying to take care of family,” Carlos said. “We work hard. But when the bills pile up, sometimes there’s just not enough left for groceries.”

Elena added, “We check Facebook every week to see when the next food handout is. We also use the apps for McDonald’s and Burger King to get those buy-one-get-one-free deals. It might sound small, but sometimes those apps help us stretch one meal into two.”

Shutdown Timeline and Local Impact
Merced County officials confirmed that while October CalFresh benefits were issued on schedule due to existing federal funding, November benefits will be delayed. Any remaining funds on EBT cards from October can still be used, but future months may also be affected depending on the length of the shutdown.

Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to contact:

Second Harvest emphasized that while some food banks receive state or federally funded programs like CalFoods and USDA Commodities, their organization does not.

“We rely on community donation and local partnerships to ensure our pantries and programs can continue,” the organization said. “We will continue to be here to support our community through the potential SNAP delays. We are taking action to strengthen our existing partnerships.”

Stretching Every Dollar
Apps like Sonic, McDonald’s, Burger King, and Jack in the Box are offering holiday meal deals and freebies that can help families stretch a few extra dollars while they wait for the government to reach a resolution.

As the shutdown drags on, families across the Valley are leaning on one another and on local resources to get by.

“We’re proud people,” Carlos Torres said. “We don’t want to rely on anyone. But when it comes to feeding your kids, you do what you have to do.”