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County outlines SNAP disruption impacts, board considers emergency food aid
Summary
Calaveras County health officials said a federal shutdown and partial USDA issuance affected roughly 6,352 local SNAP recipients and delayed benefits; the board approved small district allocations to food pantries and directed staff to return with emergency‑funding options if delays persist.
Calaveras County health staff told the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 that disruptions tied to a federal government shutdown and a partial USDA issuance have interrupted CalFresh (SNAP) benefits for local households. Marcus Munoz, director of Health and Human Services, said about 6,352 county residents were affected and that the county issued roughly $1,200,000 in benefits for October. A court temporary restraining order required USDA to issue benefits, but USDA used issuance tables and partial disbursement that could produce additional system delays.
Munoz said county HHSA is assessing timelines and asked federal and state partners to use a flat‑percentage issuance approach that would minimize card‑loading delays. He told the board that local partners — schools, food banks and county programs — are already reallocating resources to fill short‑term gaps.
During public comment Ayesha Williamson of Sierra Hope described a sharp increase in demand at the Angels Camp food pantry and asked for community donations and coordination: “We serve about 100 people a month in our nutrition assistance programs and last week we turned away no less than 50 people,” she said. The board responded by approving modest district allocations — $2,000 each to the Bret Hart High School Food Pantry and Sierra Hope — and by requesting staff return with options for a broader, countywide emergency response if SNAP disruptions continue into the holidays.
Board members asked staff to present a menu of options at a future meeting (including using emergency funds, distributing grants to multiple food banks, and coordinating utility and rent assistance through existing local providers). No formal emergency appropriation was made on Nov. 4; the board asked for a report and potential action if benefit payments remain delayed.
