Del Norte task force reports feeding response after SNAP/CalFresh disruption reached thousands
Summary
Del Norte—mergency Feeding Task Force activated for 17 days after a CalFresh disruption, coordinating tribal nations, food banks, schools and senior centers and serving thousands; staff will complete an after-action report and continue monthly meetings.
The Del Norte Emergency Feeding Task Force activated for 17 days to respond to a disruption in SNAP/CalFresh benefits, coordinating county and tribal partners to support residents facing delayed benefits, the authority irector (S1) reported.
S1 said the task force, created in 2024 through a USDA regional partnership grant, developed a countywide multi-agency disaster feed plan and protocols for communications and cross-agency coordination. "Throughout the activation, partners across the county and tribal lands worked together to support residents facing delays," S1 said.
Staff reported the disruption affected nearly 4,000 Del Norte residents. The FRC Food Bank served over 380 households in the first week (including 50 first-time households), staff extended distribution hours, and Mission Possible increased food-bag distributions. The NUSD coordinated Thanksgiving-break meal bag distributions, and tribal partners distributed emergency gift cards and grocery support.
Funding and support for the activation included Humboldt Area Foundation, Wild Rivers Community Foundation, Del Norte Healthcare District and a community Mighty Cause fundraiser that raised over $12,000 for local food banks, staff said.
The authority said an after-action report will be completed and the task force will continue monthly meetings to strengthen readiness and community food access during future disruptions. No formal board action was required at this item.
