Get Help Finding Food this Winter
With federal SNAP benefits feeling uncertain and access to nutritional services disrupted, families are struggling to provide the consistent, healthy meals that kids need to grow, learn and thrive. Ensuring that children have access every day to food is critical for health equity. Every child should be fed.
CalFresh, our state’s SNAP program, serves 5.5 million people, including almost 2 million children. The program supports health equity and is an important anti-hunger tool: In 2023, over 850,000 more Californians would have been in poverty without CalFresh providing food assistance. Access to food is critical for the healthy development of children.
Dealing with the rising cost of living and competing responsibilities, many California parents are feeling the pinch. In November, the Los Angeles Times featured Zuri Crawford, an Inland Empire mom going to college and raising her son. Crawford summed up what many parents are going through: “I really feel like I’m going to be burnt out. I feel like it’s going to be hard on me because I am a single mom…. I have to push through, but I am going to be overwhelmed.” She was relieved when the SNAP benefits that help feed her and her 1 year old were finally available.
When uncertainty causes stress and overwhelm, communities often step in to support their members. Fortunately, there are immediate food resources available across the state to help families access nutritious meals. California’s county food banks are a vital lifeline, offering groceries and emergency food distribution to children and families in need.
These resources provide essential support so every child has the nutrition necessary to stay healthy and engaged in school and daily life.
In Los Angeles, the LA County Parks & Recreation Free Snacks Program offers children free snacks at parks and community centers. This program ensures kids have access to nutritious food even while benefits and school meal programs may be uncertain. Programs like these are crucial in giving families peace of mind and children the fuel they need to grow.
For families looking for fast, personalized support, 211 is a free, 24/7 hotline connecting households to local food pantries, soup kitchens and emergency meal programs. By calling 211, families can quickly locate nearby resources and get help immediately. This is an essential option when time, food and access are critical.
Freedge aims to reduce food insecurity and food waste by promoting equal access to healthy food through the installation of community fridges. These public refrigerators are used to share food and ideas at the neighborhood level, building a stronger community.
In Oakland, community food distributions provide immediate, no-application access to nutritious meals. Oakland food distribution sites are available to children and families struggling with food insecurity, making sure no child goes hungry.
For additional support statewide, Feeding America offers a pantry locator to help families find emergency food resources near them. And while government benefits and food banks are crucial, families can also reach out to local schools and community organizations, including religious, civic and school-based programs, to access supplemental food services that support children’s health and well-being.
Finally, https://findhelp.org/ can help you find more help in your area.
Research from Children’s HealthWatch indicates what we already know: Access to SNAP benefits greatly increases the wellness of eligible children, and contributes to their healthy development. As this benefit decreases, it will be up to our communities to continue exploring ways to bridge this gap.
