Emergency Food Distributions Support Humboldt Families After CalFresh Delays
Food for People partnered with College of the Redwoods and Hoopa Valley Food Distribution to stage two large scale emergency food distributions on November 13, helping more than 800 households cope with a lapse in CalFresh benefits caused by the federal government shutdown. The events underscore gaps in the safety net and the pressure on local nonprofits and volunteers to fill abrupt shortfalls in food assistance.
Food for People, the food bank for Humboldt County, organized two emergency food distributions on November 13 as delays in SNAP benefits and the economic effects of a federal government shutdown created sudden needs across the county. One event was held on the College of the Redwoods campus in Eureka with a drive through operation in the main parking lot, and a second took place at the Hoopa Valley Food Distribution parking lot. More than 800 households received food assistance through the two events.
The distributions were intended to bridge short term gaps while CalFresh benefits were delayed, providing boxed groceries and logistical support to families and federal employees facing uncertainty. “Families are under tremendous pressure right now,” said Carly Robbins, Executive Director of Food for People. “Delays in CalFresh benefits and the financial uncertainty impacting federal employees mean many households have been struggling to keep food on the table. We’re committed to showing up for our community however we can.”
Local institutions and volunteers supplied the capacity to respond quickly. Food for People thanked College of the Redwoods, the team at Hoopa Valley Food Distribution, the Hupa Family Resource Center, Hoopa OES, CERT, UpLift Eureka, CSET, Humboldt Amateur Radio Club, Humboldt Neuro Health, United Rentals, Gosselin Transportation and dozens of volunteers for supporting the operations. The scale and speed of the response highlight the important role of nonprofit networks and community partners when federal benefit systems falter.
For Humboldt residents the distributions offered immediate relief, but they also signaled broader policy and governance questions. Interruptions in benefit delivery expose households to acute food insecurity, and they test the readiness of county and community organizations to respond. The events point to a need for clearer contingency planning, stronger communication channels between state and local agencies, and sustained support for community hunger relief infrastructure.
Food for People said it will continue monitoring needs and tracking demand for assistance. Residents seeking updates on ongoing distributions or ways to support local hunger relief are directed to FoodforPeople.org for current information.
