As families begin receiving SNAP benefits again, Napa County ends Emergency Grocery Gift Card assistance
Following the announcement of the restoration of EBT benefits, Napa County has canceled next week’s Emergency Grocery Gift Card distribution.The $1 million program was originally approved in October by the Board of Supervisors to provide relief during the suspension of CalFresh benefits amid the ongoing, now longest in history federal government shutdown.
A federal judge, earlier this week ordered the Trump administration to release 100% of funding for California’s 5.5 million SNAP (CalFresh) recipients.
“California will continue fighting to ensure that our families can access the food they need and deserve,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement Thursday. “The court rightly shut down the Trump administration’s attempt to use the well-being of American citizens as pawns in their sick political game.”
However, in a court filing, Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice signaled plans to appeal the ruling, prolonging uncertainty for families dependent on federal food assistance, according to reports.
As the shutdown entered yet another grueling week, food banks and community groups across Napa County continued to see a surge in need.
“My husband has been ill for the past two years, and I’m his full-time caregiver,” said Matilda Paniagua, a local resident who relies on CalFresh benefits. “I was so scared about what would happen to us, but the local pantries made me feel comfortable in such a time of need. I finally felt like I could breathe.”
Paniagua is one of thousands locally and millions statewide whose livelihoods have been in a pendulum amid federal SNAP distribution delays. Local organizations have mobilized quickly to ensure residents don’t go hungry.
Earlier this week, the Napa County Food Access Coalition launched a new bilingual online resource, www.napafoodaccess.org, to connect residents with food support options. The site serves as a one-stop hub listing food pantries, grocery distributions and community meal programs by city, date and eligibility requirements.
Notification of the cancellation of the emergency grocery gift card distribution will be sent by mail to recipients who were originally contacted on Nov. 5. Individuals enrolled in text message alerts will also receive a text confirming the update.
This is a developing story.
