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With food assistance benefits cut in half amid an ongoing federal government shutdown, the 35,000 San Mateo County residents who rely on federal food aid may be worried about going without food this month. Food pantries in San Mateo County are seeking volunteers and contributions to address the hunger needs of residents.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, announced on Monday that SNAP recipients would receive 50 percent of their benefits. The decision was a reversal of earlier guidance shared by the USDA in mid-October, when it announced it would entirely freeze funding for SNAP beginning Nov. 1. On Friday, two federal judges ruled this pause was unlawful, compelling the USDA to use money from a department contingency fund to partially deliver benefits.
The funding cuts to SNAP, known in California as CalFresh and sometimes called food stamps, has led to an increased reliance on food banks in the area. Stephanie Figeira, director of nutrition services at Peninsula Volunteers Incorporated, said demand for its food assistance programs have increased in the last two months.
“There’s been more and more people needing more and more support,” Figeira said. “We’ve been distributing 140 grocery bags a week consistently through October.”
On Oct. 22, the county appropriated $900,000 to support local food banks during the heightened period of need. The county also issued a call to action, urging residents and businesses to volunteer and make food or monetary donations to organizations that address food insecurity.
“The government shutdown is taking food away from our neighbors in need,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Jackie Speier. “Food insecurity is an existential crisis here in San Mateo County, even though we are one of the richest counties in the country. I implore each of us to help by donating money or time to make a difference while the need is urgent.”
The city of Menlo Park has a list of community resources on its website, which includes organizations that provide food assistance in the surrounding area. Below is an abbreviated list.
Where to find food assistance in Menlo Park
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: Second Harvest is a regional food bank serving Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The nonprofit hosts food distribution events, featuring both hot meals and groceries.
- Hours and locations: Use the online map to find nearby sites
- Website: shfb.org
- Phone: (800) 984-3663
- Peninsula Volunteers, Incorporated: PVI delivers meal-on-wheels to seniors in the area. Every Wednesday, it has a free weekly grocery pick-up for families in need. The organization also serves affordable hot lunches for $5 and has a salad bar for $6 at theLittle House Café, open Mondays through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Hours: Depend on program. See website
- Address: 800 Middle Ave, Menlo Park
- Website: https://1pvi.org/nutrition-services/
- Phone: (650) 326-0665
- St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room: Serve hot meals and distributes groceries six days a week.
- Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m
- Address: 3500 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park
- Website: https://www.paduadiningroom.com/
- Contact: (650) 365-9665 or paduadiningroom@gmail.com
