Fine Food Bank warns Rancho Mirage of rising need as federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits

Debbie Espinosa, chief executive officer of Fine Food Bank, told the Rancho Mirage City Council on Oct. 16 that the regional food bank distributed roughly 50,000 pounds of food in Rancho Mirage over the past year and that a federal government shutdown is increasing local demand.

"We regularly collect data and, you know, Rancho Mirage has been great. We have 1 direct mobile distribution site along with other agencies that we supply food to who distribute out to the community as well. In this past year, we have close to 50,000 pounds of food, specifically here in Rancho Mirage that we've distributed to the community," Espinosa said during the council's presentations.

Why it matters: Espinosa said about 15% of Rancho Mirage residents face food insecurity based on Feeding America data, and many of those households are fixed‑income seniors who rely on senior boxes and other services. The food bank warned that SNAP/CalFresh benefits are at risk while Congress has not approved funding, meaning more residents may turn to local food banks.

Espinosa told the council the city specifically received about…