Gov. Newsom sends National Guard to aid food banks due to SNAP funding delays

(FOX40.COM) — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he will be deploying the California National Guard and state volunteers on a humanitarian mission in an effort to tackle the impact the government shutdown has had on the food benefits for state families.

“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths. This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action. Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps,” Gov. Newsom said. “I’m expediting state funds for food banks and directing the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help distribute this food to families. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, California is working to ensure CalFresh recipients don’t go hungry while food prices are spiking under President Trump.”

Gov. Newsom also announced that he is fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays.

According to the governor, the National Guard will not be acting as law enforcement, but instead will be supporting food banks.

“The Trump administration and their GOP shutdown have turned their backs on working people, pulling food from the tables of families who were already struggling to get by,” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “California is taking action to support our families by deploying California’s National Guard and California Volunteers to strengthen food distribution and invest $80 million to keep food banks stocked. I’m proud that California is stepping up where federal cowardice has failed families.”

The office of Gov. Newsom stated that the federal government directed states to hold November 2025 benefit data, which allows CalFresh funds to be provided to people with CalFresh benefit cards.

“The California Military Department, under the direction of the Governor’s Office, is proud to support food bank operations across the state,” Major General Matthew P. Beevers said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal Guard service members played a crucial role in this effort, and they are honored to serve their communities once again. In collaboration with Cal OES and Cal Volunteers, we are dedicated to this critical mission, ensuring that those in need receive the assistance they deserve. This partnership highlights our collective responsibility and commitment to the well-being of all Californians.”

This impacts first-time recipients who applied during the second half of October, and all other recipients after Thursday, unless the federal government reopens or President Trump takes action to fund benefits, officials said.

“During this critical time as DC strips communities of vital resources, Californians are doing what we always do — which is step up for each other,” Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday said. “California Service Corps members will be filling the need where DC is failing.”

The deployment of the National Guard is a reflection of the actions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic when Gov. Newsom deployed them to help food banks that served more than 800 million meals during that period.