Community Organizations Step Up Amid SNAP Program Pause

With fresh vegetables, canned goods, and other healthy meals, organizations across Los Angeles are preparing to serve millions of residents who will need food in the face of what appears to be an imminent pause to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), popularly known as food stamps. The program provides financial assistance to purchase food to more than 40 million low-income people in the United States, including 10 million Latinos, but it is expected to be paused starting November 1 due to the federal government shutdown.

In Los Angeles County, 1.75 million people depend on the program, which is also known as CalFresh in California. Statewide, more than five million people receive these benefits.

Organizations like We Grow LA, which has been operating since 2023 distributing food and other resources, indicate that the need for food has increased and will worsen after the pause. “Every Friday we have approximately 250 families who come to pick up food, but today there are more than 400 families in line,” said Lauren Brazile, founder of We Grow LA. “We had to get another truck to bring and drop off more food and other supplies.”

On Friday morning, Brazile and her team prepared to welcome South Los Angeles residents to the Slauson Super Mall parking lot, as they do every week. Their food distribution is different from others: instead of pre-packaged boxes, people can bring their own bags or boxes and choose what to take. “Not everyone cooks or needs the same things. Some people have allergies or diabetes and require healthy food, so instead of packing boxes with the same items, they can choose what they want and as much as they want. It's free,” Brazile said.

By 11 a.m., the line of people stretched to the back of the market parking lot, all waiting with their bags ready to pick up their food for the week. Tables were filled with vegetables like tomatoes and fruits; on others, volunteers were handing out chicken, eggs, milk, and healthy desserts. Baby diapers and basic household items were also available.

Brazile noted that thanks to donations from the community and local businesses, they have been able to continue their food distributions. Some of the most difficult products to obtain in large quantities are chicken, beef, and eggs, and she recommends these as top donation items—though all contributions are welcome.

In the Lynwood community, other organizations like Hands of Love Center are also feeling the growing demand for food and resources. Gabriela Guevara, the community coordinator for the organization, says they serve more than 1,200 people each month—a number that increases weekly. “We've seen a huge increase in the number of families seeking more food distribution locations, as many were relying on SNAP resources to survive,” she said after the 8 a.m. food distribution on Friday.

She noted that while most of the people who come to pick up food are of different ages, a large number of adults over 50 attend—a group she believes will be among the hardest hit. “There are people who can only go to the nearest location, and sometimes the food runs out, leaving them with nothing because they can't drive to another place,” Guevara explained. “Many people already needed these services, and even more so now.”

Both We Grow LA and Hands of Love Center prioritize providing the community with fresh products, not food nearing its expiration date. What distinguishes these types of organizations is their deep connection to the communities they serve. Many volunteers live in the same neighborhoods and understand the immediate needs of local families.

Although Governor Gavin Newsom approved $80 million in funding to support free food centers in the state and deployed the California National Guard to assist with distributions, it is the smaller community organizations that are having the most direct impact.

Other groups and restaurants have also joined in to help people affected by the resource freeze. These include Balam Restaurant in Lynwood, which will distribute food this weekend at its location, and Nela Food Distribution, which not only provides free food but also delivers orders to homes for families impacted by the raids.

Many of these community organizations are already preparing for the holidays and raising funds to provide food to families in the coming months. “We are all trying to do the most we can—the city, churches, and organizations like ours. People deserve access to food,” Brazile added.

Community Help

To find food banks and other resources near you, visit LAFoodbank.org.

To donate to We Grow LA, visit wegrowla.com.

To donate to Hands of Love Center, visit this GoFundMe link.

Note produced under the California Local News Fellowship program at the University of Berkeley.