Scotts Valley council approves $10,000 emergency support for local food providers amid CalFresh uncertainty

Mayor Tim and the Scotts Valley City Council voted unanimously to provide immediate financial and outreach support to local food‑assistance providers after hearing a presentation from Second Harvest Food Bank and testimony from local pantry operators.

Eric of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County told the council the county’s food‑security system was “not stable at the moment” and described an operational shortfall tied to cuts and changes in federal SNAP/CalFresh benefits. He said the bank had authorized purchases from reserves to meet demand and estimated a local funding gap that would mean the food bank and its partners must “bridge that gap” with community support.

The council’s action directs staff to allocate up to $10,000 from the general fund, split 50/50 between Second Harvest and Valley Churches United, to support immediate food purchases and distributions. The motion also directs staff to publish a single, consolidated resource page and social‑media notices listing local distribution sites and volunteer opportunities, and to organize a…