After almost a week, Californians are starting to see their CalFresh Funds restored fully. According to a press release from Governor Gavin Newsom, the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island mandated the Trump Administration to immediately restore 100% of funding. The release states that 5.5 million Californians lost access to their funding.
Now that the funds are being restored, the Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Food Bank has announced that it will be stopping its emergency food distributions for CalFresh Recipients.
According to a press release from CAPK, over 10,000 families were served through the CalFresh distributions. Although CalFresh has been restored, the release states that food insecurity is still an issue because one in five Kern County residents does not know where their next meal will come from.
One Kern Cunty resident stated she is relieved to know the funding is being restored.
“Honestly, I’m feeling relieved. It’s a struggle when living in a one-income household with five people, including myself. There was a debate on paying for my electricity or groceries, or what I am going to do just to get food. The food banks are extremely packed and so helpful,” said Ezerae Chavez.
Chavez explained the stress of figuring out the best way to budget during this time, especially with the holidays coming up. She also addressed the narrative of people using CalFresh to purchase junk food.
“The worst part is that people think it’s that we spend on junk food, but in reality, I spend most of mine on frozen meat that can last me the month, juices, 5-gallon water fill-ups, and one pack of soda for three of my teens to split between themselves,” said Chavez. “I don’t buy junk food, fruits, veggies, canned food, or pantry items. All of these are expensive, and it’s hard to provide for a family when the one thing I actually am hoping for to help me provide is taken away.
In the press release from Newsom’s office, he stated that he stands with the court’s decision and noted that the Trump Administration tried to use Americans as pawns for political gain.
“California will continue fighting to ensure that our families can access the food they need and deserve,” said Newsom in the press release. “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. As President Trump continues to create harm through self-inflicted wounds on our country, we will keep protecting Americans who are caught in the crossfire. I am pleased at the court ruling and that those food benefits are now beginning to flow back to California families.”
