Several county departments, including Public Social Services, Children and Family Services, Parks and Recreation, and Mental Health, have also redirected resources to expand temporary food programs
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath is calling on residents in the county’s Third District to seek local food assistance as the ongoing federal government shutdown disrupts CalFresh benefits for nearly 1.5 million children and adults across Los Angeles County.
Starting Saturday, Nov. 1, CalFresh recipients will see delays in benefits due to a lapse in federal funding. County officials say they are working with community organizations and food banks to make sure families don’t go hungry while Congress remains deadlocked.
“No one in Los Angeles County should go hungry because Washington refuses to act,” Horvath said in a statement. “The federal government’s failure to fund CalFresh puts approximately 1.5 million families and children at risk — and that is unacceptable. In the absence of federal leadership, Los Angeles County will do what it always does: step up.”
During recent Board of Supervisors meetings, Horvath said the county and its partners are mobilizing quickly to close the gap. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, which coordinates with more than 600 partner organizations and 940 distribution sites, will lead the effort.
County officials emphasized that CalFresh recipients who have received notices about delayed benefits are still eligible. They are encouraged to continue meeting reporting requirements to ensure benefits are restored promptly once federal funds resume.
County Expands Local Food Support
The county has signed a $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to boost food purchasing and distribution capacity for November. Most of the funds will be used to buy food for existing pantries and pop-up sites across the region.
In addition, L.A. Care Health Plan — which serves low-income residents — has committed $5.4 million in nutrition aid, including grocery gift cards and fresh food distribution in partnership with Food Forward and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
Several county departments, including Public Social Services, Children and Family Services, Parks and Recreation, and Mental Health, have also redirected resources to expand temporary food programs and emergency support during the shutdown.
How to Find Food Assistance
Residents in the Third District — which includes communities from Santa Monica and Venice to the San Fernando Valley — can find food distribution sites at lafoodbank.org/findfood or by calling 2-1-1.
Local pantries offering assistance include:
- St. Joseph’s Center, 204 Hampton Drive, Venice — Mondays through Thursdays, various times
- WSFB Church on Pearl Pantry, 1520 Pearl St., Santa Monica — Wednesdays, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- WSFB Faith Tabernacle Pantry, 2147 Purdue Ave., West Los Angeles — Sundays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
- The Bible Tabernacle, 1761 Washington Way, Venice — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, morning hours
- Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica — Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A complete list of food banks across the district — including North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Chatsworth, and Woodland Hills — is available online and regularly updated by the county.
Horvath’s office said residents can also email ThirdDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov with questions or updates about food resources in their neighborhood.
“Los Angeles County will not allow our neighbors to be left behind,” Horvath said. “Everyone deserves the dignity of access to food and care.”
