CalFresh benefits in Merced delayed indefinitely from shutdown. Where to get help
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Federal shutdown will delay November CalFresh benefits, Merced officials warn.
- About 61,000 people and 31,000 households in Merced rely on SNAP.
- Local food banks report strain and ask donors; distribution site list available.
Merced County officials are sounding the alarm that food assistance benefits may not be issued in November due to the federal government shutdown.
CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly credits to low-income California residents to buy food.
“Merced County would like to inform residents that the ongoing federal government shutdown will delay the issuance of CalFresh benefits for November,” says a Facebook post from the County.
According to the post, November CalFresh benefits will be delayed indefinitely. Funds carried over on EBT cards from past months will still be usable.
Last week, California governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to deploy the California National Guard to support food banks. The announcement also said the governor would fast-track “upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays triggered by the shutdown.”
According to the California Department of Social Services dashboard, more than 61,000 people and 31,000 households in Merced County rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table. Statewide, the program serves more than 5.5 million people.
Merced County residents still have local resources for food assistance available, but those resources are stretched thin as well.
“Your local food bank needs some help right now,” said Joe Hypes, the food bank’s director of development. He urged residents who can to donate food and money and said the food bank can support individuals or organizations in holding food donation drives. “All food banks have a way of maximizing a dollar,” he added, because they can purchase in bulk.
Because the government shutdown will likely impact food assistance for tens of thousands of people in the county, Hypes said he is expecting to see an increase in people relying on the food bank.
Food Para Todos, another Merced-based non-profit organization, is also helping to meet the need for food assistance in the county. The group sets up a weekly pop-up pantry every Saturday and announces the location, which changes each week, on its Facebook page. Its sister organization, People’s Garden, maintains a community garden at 936 W 18th Street.
The locations and hours of operation for distribution sites across the county that partner with the County Food Bank are listed below:
- Atwater Baptist Church, 2124 First Street, Atwater: 2nd Wednesday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Delhi Community Presbyterian Church, 15917 El Capitan Way, Delhi: Last Wednesday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Carver Center, 21475 Reynolds Ave, Dos Palos: 1st Monday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- El Nido Mobile Home Park, 10690 N Hwy 59, El Nido: 1st Wednesday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Gustine Veterans Memorial Hall, 145 5th St., Gustine: Last Thursday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Hilmar Covenant Church, 20056 a.m.erican Ave, Hilmar: 4th Tuesday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Veterans of Foreign Affairs & Auxillary, 1605 7th Street, Livingston: Last Wednesday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Le Grand Community Services, 13038 Jefferson St, Le Grand: from 2nd Monday of every month, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- New Beginnings Church 821 L Street, Los Banos: from 1st Wednesday of every month, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Merced Bethel 810 T Street, Merced: 3rd Monday of the month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- McNamara Park 11th and Canal St., Merced: 3rd Monday of the month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- St Patrick’s Parish, 671 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced: 3rd Friday of the month, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Sacred Heart Church 519 W 12th St., Merced: 4th Wednesday of the month, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Planada Community Center 9167 E Stanford Ave, Planada: 2nd Monday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Santa Nella Mobile Home Park 29190 Centinella Ave, Santa Nella: 3rd Thursday of the month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Community Center 3325 N Merced Falls Rd, Snelling: 1st Thursday of the month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Iglesia de Cristo 6061 N. Winton Way, Winton: Last Monday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
