Background
The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, has caused CalFresh benefits delays. Regardless of whether a budget deal related to government spending is reached this week, delays to vulnerable populations receiving food assistance is expected. In response to an anticipated surge for food banks, the Governor of California has ordered the California National Guard and California Volunteers to deploy throughout the state to provide volunteer support to local food banks.
The Emergency Management Department continues to monitor the government shutdown and its impacts related to the SNAP/CalFresh program as a result. EMD is working alongside key partners such as the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Los Angeles County to provide a coordinated effort to support individuals and families reliant on government food assistance programs.
Data as of June 2025, estimate that over 1.5 million people in Los Angeles County received CalFresh (SNAP) benefits. Approximately 700,000 residents in the City of Los Angeles are impacted by poverty. Children also account for approximately 31% of low income populations within the City.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) recognizes that the federal shutdown and potential disruptions to SNAP (CalFresh) benefits pose serious risks for families across our region. Public Health is committed to making sure residents stay informed and know where to access resources if they experience delays or reductions in CalFresh support.
Public Health InfoLine
(Call for reliable health information, 7 days a week, 8 AM – 8 PM)
Call: 1-833-540-0473
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chel/PHIL.htm
RESOURCES FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE
CalFresh Benefits
If you have lost your job and need food assistance, please apply for CalFresh benefits online by visiting the BenefitsCal website at www.benefitscal.com. The Department of Public Social Services is open and accepting all CalFresh applications. Despite the federal government shutdown, CalFresh applications are still being processed. If approved for November benefits, your CalFresh issuance will be delayed.
If you have any questions or need additional guidance, contact the CalFresh Policy Bureau at CalFreshPolicy@dss.ca.gov or the CalWORKs Early Engagement and Eligibility Bureau at CWEligibilityPolicy@dss.ca.gov.
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program
If you are pregnant or have a child under 5, WIC can help provide nutritious foods and more resources to keep your growing family healthy. Apply for the WIC Program at https://www.phfewic.org/en/home/
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Locate a partnering food bank: https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/
- Free Meals for Senior/Older Adults: For meals from LA County and the City of LA, call 1-800-510-2020 (Los Angeles Regional Food Bank)
- Supplemental Food Program for Senior/Older Adults: With the help of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the LA Regional Food Bank helps serve 27,800 seniors each month. Call the Food Bank 1-323-234-3030 Ext 170 to speak with a staff member who can guide you through the enrollment process and provide a referral to the nearest food distribution site near your zip code.
- Assistance with CalFresh: To find out if you qualify to receive CalFresh benefits, please fill out this form: https://www.lafoodbank.org/programs/calfresh/calfresh-sign-up/ and someone from the Food Bank team will contact you.
211LA
Find Local Food Pantries & Meal Programs: https://211la.org/resources/subcategory/food
- This resource provides information about:
- COVID Food Support
- Pet Food and Other Services
- Donation and Volunteer Opportunities
- Food Benefit Program
- Food Safety
- Groceries/Food Pantry Program
- Meal Distribution Locations
LAUSD Food Services
California is mandated to provide two free meals (breakfast and lunch) for students Monday through Friday.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Unified School District offers weekend meal kits for Saturday and Sunday. To learn more, visit https://www.lausd.org/cafela
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
FREE Snack and Dinner Programs for Youth, Teens, and Seniors. You can see a full list of locations at bit.ly/lacparksfoodprograms
LA County Aging and Disability Department
The Aging & Disabilities Department runs the Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) under the Older Americans Act.
This program provides home-delivered meals and group meals to help older adults stay independent. It aims to reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition (poor nutrition/ imbalanced diet), while also promoting social interaction and improving overall health and well-being.
- Home-Delivered Meals
This program delivers nutritious meals to older adults at home.
Eligibility:
- Adults 60 or older who are frail, homebound, or isolated.
- Spouses of older adults in the program (no age limit).
- Individuals with disabilities who live with an older adult in the program.
For more information, call 1 (800) 510-2020.
- Congregate Meals
The Congregate Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals in a group setting, along with nutrition education.
Eligibility:
- Adults 60 or older
- Spouses of older adults in the program (no age limit)
- People with disabilities who live at a site where the program is offered or live with and accompany an older adult in the program.
For more information, call 1 (800) 510-2020.
Impact LA
Downtown LA Emergency Distribution Drive starting 11/07
Link: https://impactla.org/disaster-relief
FeedLA
A program by the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles that provides free food assistance (groceries and hot meals) to seniors, families, and kids across LA. https://www.ymcala.org/programs/social/feedla/
- FeedLA Distribution Schedule
Anderson Munger Family YMCA
📍 4301 W 3rd St., Los Angeles
🗓️ Biweekly — Tuesday, 9am–12pm
Ann & Steve Hinchliffe San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA
📍 301 S Bandini St., San Pedro
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 10:30am–1:30pm
Antelope Valley Family YMCA
📍 43001 10th St. West, Lancaster
🗓️ Weekly — Monday, 3pm–7pm
Burbank Community YMCA
📍 321 E Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
🗓️ Weekly — Thursday, 9am–11am
Collins & Katz Family YMCA
📍 1466 S Westgate Ave., Los Angeles
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 1pm–4pm / Thursday, 10am–12pm
Crenshaw Family YMCA
📍 3820 Santa Rosalia Drive, Los Angeles
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday & Thursday, 11am–3pm
Crowell Family YMCA (Formerly South Pasadena San Marino)
📍 1605 Garfield Ave., South Pasadena
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 10am–12pm
Culver-Palms Family YMCA
📍 4500 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 1pm–4pm / Thursday, 8:30am–11am
East Valley Family YMCA
📍 5142 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 9am–1pm
Gardena-Carson Family YMCA
📍 1000 W Artesia Blvd., Gardena
🗓️ Weekly — Wednesday, 10am–12pm
Hollywood YMCA
📍 1553 N Schrader Blvd., Hollywood
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 10am–12pm
Ketchum-Downtown YMCA Preschool
📍 2916 W 8th St., Los Angeles
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 10am–12pm
Mid Valley Family YMCA
📍 6901 Lennox Ave., Van Nuys
🗓️ Weekly — Monday, 9am–11am / Thursday, 10am–12pm
Montebello-Commerce YMCA
📍 2000 W Beverly Blvd., Montebello
🗓️ Weekly — Friday, 11am–1pm
North Valley Family YMCA – San Fernando Gardens
📍 10896 Lehigh Ave., Pacoima
🗓️ Weekly — Monday & Thursday, 11am–12pm
Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA
📍 611 E Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 11am–2pm
Santa Anita Family YMCA
📍 501 S Mountain Ave., Monrovia
🗓️ Weekly — Thursday, 9:30am–12pm
Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA
📍 4801 E 58th St., Maywood
🗓️ Weekly — Wednesday, 9am–11am
Torrance-South Bay YMCA
📍 2900 W Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance
🗓️ Weekly — Thursday, 9am–11am
Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
📍 2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles
🗓️ Weekly — Monday & Wednesday, 9:30am–11am
Weingart YMCA Wellness & Aquatic Center
📍 9900 S Vermont Ave., Los Angeles
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 9:30am–11am
West Valley Family YMCA
📍 18810 Vanowen St., Reseda
🗓️ Weekly — Wednesday & Friday, 9am–12pm
Westchester Family YMCA
📍 8015 S Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester
🗓️ Weekly — Thursday, 10am–12pm
Wilmington YMCA
📍 1127 N Avalon Blvd., Wilmington
🗓️ Weekly — Tuesday, 10am–12pm
Human Services Association
Congregate Meals Program is open to all adults age 60+, voluntary contribution for lunch is $3.00 and guest under 60 can enjoy lunch for a fee of $7.00, visit: https://www.hsala.org/services/
Christy’s Foundation Food Relief Program
Free groceries every Thursday at the Northridge Mall: https://christysfoundation.org/food-pantry/
ONEgeneration’s Food Bank & Mobile Food Pantry
Efforts include walk up food pantry, door to door groceries delivery, mobile food pantry, and benefits enrollment assistance, visit: onegeneration.org and November Food Pantry and Distribution Info
L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Centers Centers provide food assistance resources to community members, including grocery gift cards, visit: https://www.communityresourcecenterla.org/services/food-pantries
Open to everyone. Walk-ins welcome – no appointment needed.
- Community Resource Center Locations and Distribution Schedule
- Community Resource Center in East L.A.
When: 3rd Thursday of the month | 10am – while supplies last
Where: 4801 Whittier Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90022
- Community Resource Center in Lincoln Heights
When: Every last Friday of the month | 10am – 12pm
Where: 2430 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
- Community Resource Center in Norwalk
When: 2nd Wednesday of each month – while supplies last
Where: 11721 Rosecrans Ave. Norwalk, CA 90650
- Community Resource Center in Palmdale
When: 1st and 3rd Friday of each month | 1:30pm (registration starts at noon) – while supplies last
Where: 2072 E. Palmdale Blvd. Palmdale, CA 93550
- Community Resource Center in Pomona
When: Last Friday of the month | 2pm – 5pm
Where: 696 W. Holt Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
- Community Resource Center in West L.A.
When: Fridays | 2pm - while supplies last
Where: 11173 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Community Resource Center in Wilmington
When: Grocery gift card distribution twice a month. Check calendar or call for details as the date changes each month
Where: 911 North Avalon Blvd. Wilmington, CA 90744
Food Oasis LA is a free food directory connecting people needing food to nearby food pantries and meals, visit: https://www.foodoasis.la/