By Edward Henderson

California Black Media

Amid a crowd of thousands waiting for groceries at a San Diego food distribution site, Josh Fryday, Director of the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve), stood alongside California Service Corps members to launch Operation Feed California, a statewide effort to help the 5.5 million Californians struggling with delayed SNAP benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“Millions of people across the state are seeing a delay in federal food benefits, and we need Californians to step up to protect their neighbors from going hungry. Operation Feed California is a critical effort that offers ways to help. This is what it means to be a Californian — when challenges arise, we show up together,” said Fryday.

Despite a federal court order to release emergency funds earlier this month, there will be a delay in those funds getting to individuals as they are released to the states and then distributed onto individual payment cards.

“This time period will still be incredibly difficult for those who rely on SNAP benefits, and the longer the government shutdown lasts, the more challenging it could become to fund SNAP and similar programs like WIC,” United Ways of California stated in a press release.

The Trump administration has used tariff revenue to temporarily fund WIC, and California officials have shared that they have enough funding to keep the program running through at least Nov. 30.

“It’s also important to note that H.R. 1 (The One Big Beautiful Bill Act) includes cuts to SNAP benefits that will have detrimental effects on our communities in the longer term as well,” the United Way statement continued.

Among those feeling the effects of the delay is Tasha Reynolds, a 37-year-old single mother. She’s been waiting more than three weeks for her CalFresh funds to arrive.

“These delays? They hurt,” Reynolds said. “But they also woke me up — I can’t keep counting on that card to save me every month.”

Reynolds works part-time as a home health aide and on weekends as a grocery store cashier. Between her rent, car insurance, and childcare, CalFresh has been her family’s main buffer against food insecurity. The delay has forced her to cut portions and rely on food pantries.

“I’m not the type to just sit and wait for things to get fixed,” she said. “You do what you have to do. My kids look at me and don’t see stress — they see dinner on the table. That’s all that matters to me.”

Operation Feed California encourages residents to volunteer, donate, and find local ways to fight hunger during the shutdown. The program recommends visiting CAFoodBanks.org to locate nearby food banks, supporting school or campus pantries, and organizing community-based aid like meal trains or grocery deliveries.

“It’s not just politics — it’s people’s well-being.” Reynolds added. “But the community’s been showing up. I’ve seen neighbors share food, gas money, babysitting — whatever they’ve got. That’s how we survive.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed California Service Corps members and the California National Guard to assist with food distribution across the state. Additionally, the governor announced that the state is fast-tracking $80 million in emergency support to help food banks manage increased demand.

“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths,” Newsom said in a release. “This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action. Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps.

According to the governor’s office, this new effort mirrors California’s 2020 statewide COVID-19 response, when tens of thousands of volunteers and National Guard members mobilized to feed communities during the pandemic. Together, these actions represent a coordinated, statewide approach to preventing hunger in cities and towns across California.

“California will continue fighting to ensure that our families can access the food they need and deserve,” said Newsom in a statement.