Contact: Countywide Communications, pio@ceo.lacounty.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2025
LA County Mobilizes Food Assistance as Federal Government Shutdown Continues
CalFresh food benefits at risk for more than 1.5 million children and adults
More than 1.5 million children and adults are within days of being cut off from their CalFresh food benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, so LA County and its partners are mobilizing to meet residents’ needs by surging food assistance resources throughout the County.
With the shutdown now stretching into its fourth week, residents who rely on EBT cards to buy groceries will miss benefits starting Saturday unless a resolution is reached. Even if a last-minute deal is struck, benefits will be delayed by the shutdown. LA County and its partners have stepped up to add capacity to the regional system of food banks and support food distributions to meet the need by:
- Rapidly funding and signing a $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to significantly expand their food purchasing capacity for November and set up additional pop-up sites and drive-through pantry locations to reach more families. All but $25,000 of this $10 million funding will be used to purchase food to be distributed through an existing network of 940 food pantries across the County.
- L.A. Care Health Plan, which provides health care coverage for vulnerable and low-income County residents, has committed up to $5.4 million in nutrition support to fill the immediate needs created by the lapse in funding. The health plan has partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Food Forward® and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles to distribute grocery gift cards and fresh foods at various distribution sites throughout Los Angeles County and is working with community-based organizations to help with distribution.
- Many County departments have also reallocated resources to provide additional support during the shutdown, with the departments of Public Social Services and Children and Family Services each contributing an additional $2 million in support and Parks and Recreation and the Department of Mental Health both setting up temporary food programs to help their clients. (See more details about departmental supports below).
LA County Leaders Respond to the Mobilization
“Our County is coming together to make sure no one goes hungry,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, Fifth District. “We recognize the hardship that the loss or delay of food benefits will cause for many families and we’re acting quickly to address that gap. From new funding for local food banks to partnerships with organizations like L.A. Care, we’re mobilizing every available resource to help our residents have access to the food and support they need. We are leading with compassion and collaboration.”
“No one in Los Angeles County should go hungry because of circumstances beyond their control,” said Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “My focus is on ensuring that families have access to healthy food and the resources they need to get through this period. That is why I was proud to champion the allocation of $10 million from the County’s Care First, Community Investment fund to offset prior federal SNAP cuts and expand nutrition support programs. I also allocated $1 million to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to strengthen its capacity to serve local pantries and community-based organizations across the First District, and earlier this year, provided $1 million to Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights to expand its long-standing food pantry programs that have been a lifeline for countless families. As a member of the L.A. Care Board of Governors, I further approved $5.4 million in additional food relief efforts, including needed gift cards. These investments reflect my continued commitment to caring for our communities and ensuring that every family can put food on the table.”
“Hunger doesn’t pause because of a federal government shutdown. I commend our local food banks for stepping up to help fill the gaps, but they cannot meet the growing demand with their current resources. We must work together—across philanthropy, businesses, and community partners—to strengthen our food support systems and ensure that the 1.5 million residents who won’t receive grocery assistance next month still have access to the food they need,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.
“With 1.5 million Angelenos suddenly cut off from CalFresh benefits, we refuse to stand by while families go hungry,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “The County is stepping up by investing $10 million in the LA Food Bank as well as through additional support from LA Care and resources from across our departments, to make sure our communities have access to food and essential services during this federal shutdown.”
“Hardworking LA County residents can’t afford to see their healthcare premiums double, and I am proud of our Members of Congress who are fighting hard to prevent it,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District. “While their fight continues, the County stands ready to meet this moment and we have marshalled resources to get food to people who need it during this shutdown.”
(Additional comments from the Department of Public Social Services, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and L.A. Care Health Plan are below.)
The State began reaching out to CalFresh recipients on October 24th, informing them that November benefits will be delayed, and the County has used email, texts, social media and public service announcements to amplify that messaging.
It is important for CalFresh recipients to understand that receiving such a notice does not mean that their case is terminated or that they are no longer eligible for benefits. Despite November benefits being delayed, CalFresh recipients must continue complying with all reporting requirements to ensure their benefits are issued promptly once they become available.
For residents and businesses that can afford to help our neighbors, including those who might typically help during the holiday season, the County is urging donations to local food banks and faith-based organizations with holiday giving campaigns now. Donations of pet food are also welcome and can be dropped off at any County animal shelter: https://animalcare.lacounty.gov/.
Resources for Residents
More information on assistance for residents impacted by the federal shutdown is below.
Food Assistance
LA County has a network of 940 food pantries in place across the County coordinated by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Food is available now for anyone who needs it and supplies will be increased for the month of November. For food assistance, people can visit their local food pantry or find one near them by visiting https://lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/ or calling 2-1-1.
LA County Parks & Recreation has food programs for youth, teens, and seniors. To learn more, visit: www.parks.lacounty.gov/lacounty-parks-food-programs/.
Senior citizens over the age of 60 may be eligible for a free meal at local senior centers. For more information, call (800) 510-2020.
WIC: US Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program from Women, Infants and Children
All California WIC agencies are currently operational. Government employees who are furloughed/working without pay may qualify for WIC, if they are pregnant or have a child under age 5, and are encouraged to apply and get WIC to help with grocery costs, even if it’s only temporary.
Applying for WIC is simple and can be done 100% by phone. Apply at www.startwic.org or text “APPLY” to 91997.
To find a WIC location, as well as days and hours of operation, visit: https://phfewic.org/en/home/.
Housing Assistance
Residents worried that the shutdown may impact their housing can call 2-1-1, which can provide access to tenant protection and foreclosure prevention services. Information can also be found at www.dcba.lacounty.gov.
Other Assistance
For assistance in other areas, residents can visit: www.211la.org or call 2-1-1.
Additional Comments from Key Leaders
“All of us at DPSS are grateful for the outpouring of support from our many partners across Los Angeles County and the steadfast commitment of all County staff, to collectively assist our 1.5 million CalFresh beneficiaries in weathering this challenging time,” said Dr. Jackie Contreras, Director, Department of Public Social Services.
“We are profoundly thankful for Los Angeles County’s $10 million investment, which will significantly enhance our food distribution efforts during this federal shutdown,” said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “As a nonprofit organization, funding like this enables us to acquire and distribute food to people throughout Los Angeles County, showcasing the resilience of our incredible community and our commitment to our vision: that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.”
“We know that good health starts with access to nutritious meals, and unfortunately, the federal government shutdown is severely disrupting critical food access for 1.5 million Angelenos,” said Martha Santana-Chin, CEO of L.A. Care. “Many families in our communities are facing real hardship right now, and we’re pleased to step in and offer support. Through a $5.4 million investment, L.A. Care is working alongside trusted community partners to provide food assistance to 10,000 to 15,000 households each week during November — because no one should have to choose between paying your bills and putting food on the table.”