Redding food banks are facing bare shelves and dwindling funds as the number of people asking for help putting food on the table increases.
They and other North State nonprofits are struggling to feed dozens more food insecure households per day, with no end in sight for when the federal government shutdown, which entered its second month, will break.
The Redding Salvation Army fed 160 households last Thursday, Oct. 30, said the food bank’s spokesperson Lisa Miller — about 50 more families than the organization usually feeds in a day.
“Normally we see four or five” walk-in “families per day,” said Shurla Lovejoy at Dignity Health Connected Living, formerly Shasta Senior Nutrition programs. “Last Wednesday (Oct. 29) we had 23, and we’re on track to feed 30 families today (Nov. 3).”
Volunteers and staff help families facing food insecurity “shop” the shelves at the Salvation Army food bank in Redding. Shasta County and other North State food pantries report rising numbers of people asking for help to feed themselves and their families in October and early November 2025, following the federal government shutdown.
Salvation Army calls for donations after judges tell Trump administration it can’t stop SNAP benefits
“Redding has seen a drastic increase … over the last couple of weeks,” said Grant Hansen, Salvation Army regional spokesperson.
Hansen made a plea for food and monetary donations on Monday, Nov. 3 to help the Salvation Army’s Shasta, Siskiyou and other far Northern California branches feed people who normally receive food assistance.
Volunteers and staff help families facing food insecurity “shop” the shelves at the Salvation Army food bank in Redding. Shasta County and other North State food pantries report rising numbers of people asking for help to feed themselves and their families in October and early November 2025, following the federal government shutdown.
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The Salvation Army’s announcement came three days after two federal judges ruled on Oct. 31 that President Donald Trump’s administration can’t stop food assistance for millions of low-income Americans during the government shutdown. Without passing a budget, the federal government must use contingency funds to pay for food benefits to families — otherwise scheduled to stop on Nov. 1, a month after the shutdown went into effect, the court said.
Shortly after the court’s Oct. 31 decision, Trump posted on social media the federal government likely lacks legal authority to require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.
More than 42 million people, 22 million households, received SNAP benefits during the 2025 fiscal year, according to the USDA.
Food banks: Federal shutdown the latest cause of growing food insecurity problem
The new wave of need in October and early November follows a five-year increase in the number of people seeking food assistance from North State Salvation Army food banks, said Hansen.
It’s part of a trend that started during the pandemic at the end of Trump’s first term. The problem continued after the reopening due in part to rising food and gas prices, inflation and housing instability, he said.
Volunteers and staff help families facing food insecurity “shop” the shelves at the Salvation Army food bank in Redding. Shasta County and other North State food pantries report rising numbers of people asking for help to feed themselves and their families in October and early November 2025, following the federal government shutdown.
More: Community Foundation launches helping fund as federal shutdown drags on
With double-digit increases in people asking for help, Hansen said food bank staff are worried about people going hungry through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Any donation helps “whether it’s a can of food or a dollar,” he said in the announcement. “In the past, we have seen how the community comes together to truly help meet the needs of neighbors in desperate situations. I am hopeful our neighbors can do it again.”
How to donate to Redding Salvation Army and Connected Living food banks
The Salvation Army in Redding accepts money and canned and non-perishable food donations at its facility at 2691 Larkspur Lane. To give money online, go to redding.salvationarmy.org/redding/ways-to-give.
People can donate non-perishable foods and give money to Dignity Health Connected Living food bank at 100 Mercy Oaks Drive in Redding, or donate funds online at dignityhealth.org/north-state/locations/connected-living/services/food-assistance-for-seniors-living-in-the-redding-area/food-bank.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding food banks struggle to feed families without SNAP
