The Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 1 approved a temporary $60,000 allocation to help local food pantries and food-bank distributions respond to increased demand after a delay in November CalFresh benefits.

Social Services Director Rachel Delman Parsons, chair of the Food Instability Ad Hoc Work Group, told the board she would withdraw a previously proposed local disaster declaration because discussions with the California Department of Social Services food branch and the resolution of litigation had rendered a declaration unnecessary. "I would like to withdraw the request for disaster declaration," Parsons said, adding that a declaration would not unlock additional resources for this situation.

The board-approved funds are intended to cover $20,000 per week for three weeks through the holidays. Parsons said the work group moved quickly after the benefit disruption: "We met on the fifth and had, funding through Redwood Empire Food Bank and ordered MREs by the sixth." The county initially approved $80,000 earlier in the response; of that amount Parsons said $70,000 was allocated to Redwood Empire Food Bank to bolster local pantries and food banks, $9,500 was set aside to buy MREs (meals ready to eat), and $500 for 10-punch bus passes to help people reach distribution sites.

Parsons described unusually long lines at distributions and partners reporting capacity issues. She said Clear Lake Gleaners and a set of targeted local sites (including United Methodist churches and senior centers in Kelseyville and Middletown) were prioritized for deliveries. Parsons also said the MRE vendor had not delivered the ordered pallets on schedule and staff were seeking alternate suppliers.

A county supervisor asked whether Redwood Empire Food Bank was fronting expenses; Parsons confirmed the food bank agreed to bill the county under a letter of intent guaranteeing payment. Tara Gondolfo, the county CalFresh program manager, shared client stories and a survey showing families and some elderly residents greatly affected, noting that a full CalFresh benefit can be about $292 a month in many cases.

Public comment included an appeal from Margo Kambara urging partners to consider neighbors with immigration concerns and suggesting private or staff-only pickup areas to make distributions more accessible for people who feel unsafe. "Among our food insecure neighbors are those with immigration issues," Kambara said.

The board approved the $60,000 allocation by voice vote; the chair announced, "Motion carries 4 0." Parsons said she would send the distribution slide deck to the board and the work group will continue coordination through weekly "feeding partners" meetings. Staff will provide updates to the board on Dec. 9 and continue monitoring deliveries, vendor performance and demand.

What happened next: The board directed staff to implement the emergency allocations and continue partner coordination; Redwood Empire Food Bank will bill the county for the agreed deliveries and Clear Lake Gleaners will receive a $20,000 pass-through as part of the earlier funding arrangement.

Sources: County presentation by Rachel Delman Parsons and supporting remarks and public comments during the Dec. 1 Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting.