How to help: Where the hungry can find food — and others can give — as SNAP benefits cut off

With funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program running out Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown, Bay Area families who rely on the assistance to keep their families fed may have to turn to nonprofits and food banks to fill the empty plates on their tables.

The SNAP program provides food for 5.5 million low-income Californians, providing about $785 for a family of three each month to purchase food, seeds and plants. CalFresh, California’s version of the assistance program, serves more than half a million people across the Bay Area.

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To fill the federal funding gaps, some state and local governments are providing funding or services to their residents. Other programs that provide supplementary income for food such as Women, Infants and Children — or WIC — remain open during the government shutdown. As the demand for food surges, these foods banks are also asking community members who are able to donate.

Several Bay Area restaurants and food trucks have also announced plans to provide free or discounted meals to children or families who are SNAP recipients, including Tony & Alba’s Pizza and Pasta in San Jose and Monster Pho in Oakland.

Here’s a list of food banks and organizations that can help Bay Area residents get the food they need — and that are accepting donations to continuing assisting the community during the SNAP cutoff.

South Bay

The Second Harvest of Silicon Valley serves Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Find a food distribution point using the interactive online map, or call the Food Connection team at 800-984-3663 for assistance. The food bank also accepts donations of funds or of food.
Santa Clara County’s Senior Nutrition Program provides meals to qualifying individuals in conjunction with community programs every day of the week. Check the list of participating organizations online. The program also accepts monetary contributions.

East Bay

Alameda County Community Food Bank partners with more than 400 food banks, hot meal programs and senior centers to provide thousands of pounds of food to the community daily. Community members can call their helpline at 510-635-3663 or go online to www.foodnow.net or www.comidaahora.net for assistance in locating groceries or a hot meal.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano can help community members find food at dozens of locations across the two counties. To find a spot, view the interactive online map or call 855-309-3663.

Other

In San Francisco, residents can find food with the help of the SF-Marin Food Bank by visiting the online food locator or joining the Supplemental Food Program that delivers groceries to low-income seniors monthly.
DoorDash has launched an emergency food response program to provide 1 million meals through partner food banks and waive the fees for 300,000 grocery orders by SNAP recipients. DoorDash users who have their SNAP card on their DoorDash profile can have the delivery fees waived for one order.
Donations can be made to national organizations such as Feeding America, U.S. Hunger and Meals on Wheels which support food banks and hunger initiatives across the country.