PRESS RELEASE

Yolo County continues to take proactive measures to support residents affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and resulting delay in CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. At the Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, November 4, the Board adopted a budget resolution to allocate $225,000 in one time tobacco settlement funds to provide immediate support to impacted residents. The proposal also included authorizing the County Administrator to execute an agreement with the Yolo Food Bank to deliver this community support. These efforts are part of Yolo County’s broader commitment to ensuring residents have access to food and essential resources during this critical period.

“Yolo County is taking decisive action to protect our most vulnerable residents during this challenging time,” said Mary Vixie Sandy, Chair of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. “Our partnership with the Yolo Food Bank and local agencies reflects the strength of this community. When our residents are in need, we come together to ensure no one is left behind.”

The federal government shutdown has caused an unprecedented disruption in CalFresh benefits, which are 100% federally funded. As of November 1, families across the nation including more than 27,000 Yolo County residents, have not received benefits due to the lapse in federal appropriations. While the State of California has temporarily filled funding gaps for CalWORKs and CalFresh administrative costs, CalFresh benefit payments remain suspended until Congress reaches a budget agreement. Yolo County continues to monitor developments closely.

Locally, this disruption affects some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. Of the approximately 18,700 CalFresh households in Yolo County, 2,400 include at least one child under 10 years old, 3,200 include at least one child under 17, 4,300 include at least one older adult age 60 or above, and 2,400 lack a fixed nighttime residence. This delay is directly impacting food security for thousands of children, families, and seniors across our communities.

Yolo County has been actively coordinating with city partners, UC Davis, the Yolo County Office of Education, and community-based organizations to ensure residents continue to have access to essential food resources. The Yolo Food Bank has increased its overall food allocations by 20 percent across nearly 60 regular distributions and is working with 47 local partner organizations to expand access throughout the county.

To help meet the immediate need, emergency food distributions for SNAP participants will take place at the following Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) locations:

• Woodland HHSA Service Center, 25 N. Cottonwood Street – November 5 and 12 at 9:00 a.m.
• West Sacramento HHSA Service Center, 500 Jefferson Boulevard – November 6 and 13 at 9:00 a.m.

Additionally, the Yolo Food Bank will deliver essential food items to the UC Davis Basic Needs Center, where UC Davis staff will distribute food on campus to students at UC Davis Parking Lot 1 on November 8 and 15.

“We’re moving quickly to ensure no family in Yolo County goes without food during this disruption,” said Monica Morales, Director of the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting residents through coordinated, community-driven action.”

The $225,000 will provide one-time, flexible financial support for families to purchase food and supplement existing food distribution programs. The County and Yolo Food Bank are also exploring opportunities to leverage additional community and philanthropic support to maximize impact. As part of this effort, the Yolo Food Bank has launched its Food First fundraising campaign, encouraging community members, businesses, and organizations to contribute toward expanding food access and supporting CalFresh recipients during this critical time. Donations can be made at www.YoloFoodBank.org/FoodFirst.

“We are so grateful to be working with Yolo County, our partner agencies, volunteers, and donors to ensure that we are assisting CalFresh recipients and other food insecure community members in this time of need,” stated Karen Baker, Executive Director for Yolo Food Bank. “We encourage all members of our community to join us in this effort by visiting our website.”

For updates and local food distribution information, please visit www.YoloFoodBank.org. There are many ways for community members to get involved, including volunteering or donating directly through the Yolo Food Bank’s website.