ESCONDIDO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Millions of Californians are expected to lose their CalFresh food assistance benefits within hours as the federal government shutdown continues, leaving low-income families across the state scrambling for help.
County leaders are calling the situation a “hunger crisis” and are turning to local food organizations such as Feeding San Diego and Interfaith Community Services to fill the growing gap. Gov. Gavin Newsom has also fast-tracked about $80 million in emergency funding to support food banks statewide.
At Interfaith Community Services in Escondido, volunteers faced a parking lot jammed with cars Thursday as families waited anxiously in a drive-thru line for boxes of food. Among them were Scott and Shirley Stovall, one of 5.5 million Californians who rely on CalFresh benefits each month.
“We’re getting by, but it’s getting really tight,” said Scott Stovall, a Vietnam War veteran. “There’s always peanut butter sandwiches.”…