Valley leaders donate to food bank as SNAP pause looms

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Central Valley leaders gathered at the Central California Food Bank Monday to hand over some giant checks.

Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria partnered with the Alliance of California Farmers and Ranchers Community Fund, the Valley Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Fresno United to donate $15,000 to the food bank.

This comes as the government shutdown approaches its 27th day Tuesday, and food banks across the country brace for increased demand.

“The ongoing federal government shutdown is creating real fear and uncertainty for families,” Soria said.

“It is estimated that 25% of our kids go hungry each and every day, and that could be further exacerbated by the current federal shutdown and the potential disruption of SNAP and CalFresh benefits,” William Chaltraw with Valley Children’s said.

The California Department of Social Services says those benefits will pause Nov. 1.

Natalie Caples with the Central California Food Bank says that means the 320,000 people they already serve each month could rapidly increase.

“For every one meal that Central California Food Bank provides to our local community, SNAP provides nine meals,” Caples said.

Caples says the five counties they serve rely on $138 million in SNAP benefits every month, and they cannot fill that gap without help.

“We have a community that is absolutely so generous. When the need arises, they step up and meet the need. And we are so, so thankful for that,” Caples said.

$15,000 will only go so far, so Soria urges others to step up and donate as well.

“Together, we can make sure that no child, no family, no senior, no working person goes hungry,” Soria said.