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Food‑bank and LIHEAP providers warn cuts will reduce supplies and emergency utility assistance
Summary
Clear Lake Gleaners and North Coast Energy Services told the Board of Supervisors that recent USDA and federal staffing actions put emergency food and LIHEAP utility assistance at risk for Lake County residents, and volunteers and providers urged local donations and coordinated support.
Volunteers and leaders from Clear Lake Gleaners and North Coast Energy Services told the Lake County Board of Supervisors on April 24 that cuts to USDA emergency food assistance and the loss of federal staff overseeing LIHEAP threaten food variety and availability and could force service reductions.
Clear Lake Gleaners vice president Leslie Ford (self‑identified as a volunteer leader) said the county’s main local food bank has expanded to nine distribution centers, relies largely on volunteers and is currently serving roughly 7,800 individuals per month. Ford said the USDA cut of $500,000,000 to the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) nationally could reduce deliveries and force local changes such as smaller packages or fewer varieties of food.
Sandra Kliesner, executive director of North Coast Energy Services (LIHEAP provider), told the board that in 2024 her program served 1,814 households in Lake County with about $1.9 million in services and that 93% of LIHEAP funding assisted households containing elderly, disabled or children under 5. She warned that elimination of all 10 federal LIHEAP positions has left providers without regional technical assistance and that, without funding, her organization could close and lay off 39 employees (eight residing in Lake County).
County staff and partner organizations said food banks are still operating and that some replenishment and flexible state funding have been routed to providers, but cautioned that current stability could change quickly. Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) — a regional partner — reported losses in food deliveries and said it had been covering some CSFP (senior commodity) needs for Lake County but that REF B losses of about $700,000 in deliveries were reported for other regions and could affect availability.
Speakers asked the board to help publicize local donation channels and to pursue advocacy with federal representatives so providers can maintain operations and keep supplies flowing.
Ending: County staff said a comprehensive food‑resource list is posted on Lake County Social Services’ Facebook page in English and Spanish and that the county will help coordinate recurring donation options for local food banks.
