By Dianne Anderson

A lot of people are scrapping and scraping between the massive layoffs and government funding cuts, and the food fight over SNAP for 42 million Americans continues.

Consumer sentiment has plunged to its worst levels in over 50 years,

In recent weeks, Pastor Cornelius “CJ” Page says his phone has been buzzing nonstop.

“They’re calling for utilities. They’re blowing it up. I am a funder and I do utilities, but they find and they track you down,” said Page, founder of Community Health Action Network in Victorville. “Now, it’s blowing up with the food [calls]. It’s going to get worse. It doesn’t surprise me.”

He is trying to handle one bill at a time and is grateful to be in a position to help this Thanksgiving.

His free turkey giveaway in the city of Hesperia is almost filled, but others in need may come in and sign up. This year, he expects partners to feed about 1,500 people, filling the gap previously covered by Rescue Mission Alliance Victor Valley, which is now officially closed.

“We will try to have enough food to help them. In partnership with High Desert Second Chance, we’re putting together a dinner. They will have a Thanksgiving dinner normally by the rescue mission, but since they’re closed, we picked up their tab,” he said.

Federal FEMA cuts have forced many agencies, including his own, to make do with much less.

“Like for me, when they cut off FEMA, and my money was going toward food and working with those in Adelanto, I couldn’t do anything. I had to find other methods,” he said.

Page also hosts a financial literacy class on dealing with mounting debt. Many people are using credit cards for daily expenses.

Recently, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that credit card balances rose by $24 billion from the previous quarter, reaching $1.23 trillion in Q3 2025, a new all-time high, and found that 4.5 percent of total household debt is at some stage of late payment.

Somehow, Page said the word has gotten around fast that he helps with utilities. Agencies and individuals are contacting him to see how they can assist, including local food bank Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County.

“People are reaching out as things pop up. United Way contacted me and asked if I need any food, let them know. One thing about the community, they will pull together in dire needs in a time such as this,” he said.

As demand surges under federal funding delays and grant freezes, the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County isn’t slowing down for families, federal workers, and military households struggling to survive.

Requests for food boxes have jumped 140 percent in recent weeks.

To meet the soaring need, CAPSBC expanded outreach at Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow and has sent Mobile Food Pantries into rural areas like Hinkley and Twentynine Palms.

They are also increasing support to USDA partner sites and expanding its Mobile Food Pantry program to maintain steady access to nutritious meals.

“During these challenging times, when federal funding delays and benefit freezes are putting added strain on families, CAPSBC is committed to being a source of stability and hope,” said the agency’s CEO, Patricia Nickols-Butler.

To keep food and resources flowing, the agency relies on USDA inventory, state Cal Food grants, and emergency support from corporate partners like Edison International, which provides relief during the shutdown and SNAP freeze.

With increased holiday demand, CAPSBC is mobilizing volunteers, boosting staff, and providing turkeys and food boxes to over 4,300 families at three Thanksgiving events, including Joshua Tree Elementary on November 17, Adelanto Stadium on November 19, and San Bernardino Valley College on November 22.

Partnerships also power CAPSBC’s response. Local agencies help with extra distributions, and the County shares real-time data on areas of high need while Human Services participates in the annual Holiday Virtual Food Drive.

Last month, CAPSBC celebrated six anti-poverty decades at “A Diamond Celebration.”

Financial donations are allowing the agency to act fast and purchase what’s needed most while volunteers pack and distribute food countywide. Food donations are appreciated, but time and monetary gifts make the biggest impact.

“We’ve expanded food distributions, strengthened partnerships, and mobilized resources to ensure no one is left behind. As we enter the holiday season, our mission is clear to bring relief, dignity, and a sense of joy to thousands of households across San Bernardino County. Together with our community, we can turn uncertainty into hope,” Nickols-Butler said in an email.

Also serving the Inland Empire, Project Boon is a nonprofit, privately funded and concerned how funding freezes impact their partner organizations and families as resources become limited from food banks and support for large-scale events like Eat & Be Well.

Chris Suchánek said his team is doubling down. They are carefully budgeting and leaning into the generosity of donors and sponsors to keep their Thanksgiving event going as more families need food.

Staying on mission, they cover many upfront costs using their reserves and early sponsorship commitments to provide services, such as the November 26 event at Central City Park, where they are serving meals, groceries, and health resources from 11:00 a.m. while supplies last.

“It’s not the easiest path, but sustainability for us has always been built on consistency, relationships, and community trust. We believe that once people see the impact of Eat & Be Well, serving hundreds of families, they will step forward to help us replenish what we’ve spent,” he said.

Partnerships are everything. The City of Fontana, local businesses, and organizations across San Bernardino County are stepping up with food, supplies, volunteer time, and sponsors are the backbone of their operations.

This Thanksgiving, he said the community can give back with financial or in-kind donations to provide more meals and resources.

“Volunteers are the heart of this event, from serving food to helping distribute meals. Anyone who wants to give back this Thanksgiving can sign up or donate or volunteer at www.projectboon.org. Together, we can make the holiday season brighter for families across the Inland Empire,” he said.

In other IE locations, turkeys are limited, so the community is asked to register or arrive early for the gobble.

On Wednesday, November 19, Rialto Never Stop Grinding Impact event will give away Thanksgiving turkeys from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., held at 290 West Rialto Avenue inside the city’s Certified Farmers Market. It’s a walk-up event, but you must register in advance on Eventbrite. Only one turkey per household with ID, but tickets don’t guarantee a turkey as supplies are limited.

Also on November 19, Victorville residents are invited to a free Thanksgiving meal from noon to 2:00 p.m. at 14800 7th St. Organizers are also asking for donations of stuffing, corn, and green beans to help make the celebration complete.

On Saturday, November 22, in Moreno Valley, Assemblymember Corey Jackson is hosting a Free Turkey and Local Resources event at 10:00 a.m. at CODIE, the Center on Deafness Inland Empire, located at 22690 Cactus Ave. No eligibility requirements, only to arrive very early for one of 250 turkeys to be distributed first-come, first-served.

On November 22, local families can also grab a free turkey at the Community Turkey Giveaway. The event is hosted by IE Rebound, Arrowhead United Way, Children’s Fund, the Public Defender, District Attorney, Probation Department, Police Department, Supervisor Joe Baca, and the Family and Kids Foundation. Located at 646 N. D Street in San Bernardino, that first-come, first-served event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while supplies last.

On Thursday, November 24, San Bernardino Salvation Army is serving a free Thanksgiving dinner from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Hospitality House & Family Transitional Living Center, located at 925 W. 10th St. Everyone is welcome to come out, share a good meal, and celebrate the holiday. They are asking community members to share with those that have not by donating turkeys or meal ingredients at 838 Alta Street, Redlands.

For an extensive list of food giveaways, see SB County at https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/Resources-and-Events-Holiday-Food-Christmas.pdf

To give or volunteer, visit www.capsbc.org

For Moreno Valley event, sign up here www.bit.ly/turkeys60 or call (951) 653-0960

For the High Desert Thanksgiving Banquet, see https://allevents.in/victorville/high-desert-thanksgiving-banquet/200029123462252#google_vignette

For more information on Thanksgiving meal sites in the Inland Empire, call (909) 792-6868 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY