Local non-profit Community Services Agency is preparing for a potentially large increase in food demand due to the federal government shutdown, having recently purchased an additional $30,000 in food items.
CSA Development Director Simone Berkowitz said the organization bought the food to be prepared for an increase in demand due to SNAP benefits potentially not being distributed on Nov. 1. Governor Gavin Newsom announced last week that the federal shutdown would likely delay food benefits for millions of Californians if President Trump and Congress did not reopen the government by Oct. 23, according to the governor’s office. The federal government shut down Oct. 1. CSA bought items like rice, beans, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, chicken, tuna, milk, and macaroni and cheese for the coming month.
“Staff will evaluate purchases to make sure they meet the nutritional and cultural needs of clients,” Berkowitz said in an email. “We are gearing up for a potentially large surge of demand and will keep a close eye on inventory to make sure food is sufficient.”
CSA already faces reduced funding for food and senior programs through federal government funding cuts expected to affect many county programs, with donors helping to fill the gap. CSA, which provides food and social services to thousands of residents in Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, has also seen a 70% increase in homeless people using its services since 2021.
