What’s next for Merced-area food banks after CalFresh benefits are restored?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- CalFresh benefits paused early November and restored statewide beginning Nov. 13, 2025.
- Merced agencies reported 32,000 households (67,000 people) affected.
- Local nonprofits and county launched holiday food drives across Merced to aid families.
Merced-area residents who receive CalFresh benefits breathed a sigh of relief after the program was resumed at the end of the federal government shutdown. The shutdown ended Nov. 12 and CalFresh recipients started receiving their benefits the next day, according to the California Department of Social Services.
But Merced County agencies still are seeing high demand for families seeking assistance.
Merced County Human Services Agency Director John Ceccoli discussed the importance of SNAP benefits at the Nov. 4 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
“Approximately 32,000 households in Merced County receive some type of supplemental nutrition assistance payment,” Ceccoli said. “Those households are (composed) of over 67,000 individuals. And then further breaking that number down, 26,000 of those recipients are children ... and 9,500 are recipients age 60 and over.”
Ceccoli explained that the Human Services Agency worked with the County’s Office of Emergency Services to provide resources and information to Merced families.
Merced County food resources
On Facebook, the County shared a food resource map and urged residents to support a food drive organized by the Merced County Food Bank and United Way along with the city and county of Merced.
Prior to the announcement that full benefits would be issued Nov. 13, the Trump administration announced Nov. 3 that it would partially fund SNAP benefits in response to a Rhode Island federal judge’s order. Later that week, the U.S. Supreme Court granted an administrative stay on the order and the USDA stated on its website that “states must immediately undo any steps taken to issue SNAP benefits for November.”
In response to the anxiety SNAP recipients felt during this back and forth, Ceccoli emphasized that his department confirms information is “100% certain” before sharing it with the public.
“We’re very cautious about the information we put out,” he said.
After the announcement that benefits would be issued in-full, Californians began to see added balances on their EBT cards. According to the Food and Research Action Committee’s SNAP State Benefit Tracker, full benefits have now been issued across California.
Merced County’s ‘Stuff the Bus’
In addition to the reissuing of CalFresh funds, the county is continuing its efforts to support families during the holiday season.
The Merced County Foodbank, in coordination with United Way and The Bus, is holding a “Stuff the Bus” food drive through Nov. 22 at a variety of locations throughout the county.
Drop off locations are listed below:
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 Livingston: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Livingston City Hall, 1416 C Street
- Wednesday, Nov. 19Merced: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Merced Mall, Olive Ave. (Near Olive Garden)
- Thursday, Nov. 20Atwater: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Walmart Parking Lot, 800 Commerce Ave.
- Friday, Nov. 21Gustine: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Henry Miller Park; and Delhi: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sheriff Substation, 9481 Shanks Road
- Saturday, Nov. 22Dos Palos: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dollar General, 1111 Elgin Ave; and Los Banos: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Target/Marshalls Parking Lot, 1301 W. Pacheco Blvd.