As the government shutdown continues to drag in October, Shasta County officials are assessing how residents who rely on federally funded social programs will be affected if Congress does not soon break the impasse.
Money for Cal Fresh, the state’s food stamp program, is scheduled to run out Oct. 31 if the government does not reopen. That means Cal Fresh recipients could be looking for other sources to stock their pantries and refrigerators.
Cal Fresh is the name for California’s federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Approximately 5.5 million Californians receive SNAP benefits, according to the state Department of Social Services. Recipients receive benefits on their EBT cards.
In Shasta County, there are about 31,500 Cal Fresh recipients, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Stewart Buettell said in an email to the Record Searchlight. That accounts for nearly 20% of the county’s population.
Shasta Executive Officer David Rickert recently said at supervisors’ meeeting on Oct. 21 that the county received word the state will provide a bridge loan from its general fund to fund Cal Fresh through the end of the year.
But the money will cover administrative costs and not go to Cal Fresh recipients, a state Department of Social Services official said.
Redding food banks see growing demand
Meanwhile, local food banks and pantries that have seen an increase in business due to the economy are bracing for more demand for their services that a prolonged government shutdown would bring.
“We have noticed that things have increased here in clientele, but we connect that to just the economy right now, the price of groceries, utilities, anything that affects a family budget. It’s hard for them to meet their needs,” said Lisa Foster, social services coordinator for the Salvation Army in Redding.
The Salvation Army operates a food pantry at Larkspur Lane in Redding that is open 9 a.m.-1p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Foster said the provider has been serving about 300 households a week, which doesn’t include the homeless community who also comes in to get food.
“A year ago, it was between 150 and 200 households a week,” she said.
Staci Wadley, food bank director for Dignity Health Connected Living, said the organization distributes food to 5,000 to 8,000 people a month and last year the organization gave out approximately 4.5 million pounds of food.
“There has been a slight increase” in demand compared to a year ago, Wadley said.
Connected Living also distributes food to numerous food pantries in the North State, including the Salvation Army, and pantries in Anderson, Burney, Cottonwood, Round Mountain and Shasta Lake.
The Shasta County Office of Education also has 33 food pantries at school sites that Connected Living supports, Wadley said.
Impacts from government shutdown
In addition to the government shutdown, Wadley said there are concerns about the impact that House Resolution 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will have on Cal Fresh recipients.
She said the increase in demand triggered by the new federal law President Trump signed on July 4, 2025 would happen over time and be more sustained, while food pantries would see that increase escalate in a shorter period.
According to the state Department of Social Services, the new law cuts the federal money that helps California pay for Cal Fresh. That means some recipients “may get less money for food.”
It’s “unfortunate because Cal Fresh is an efficient program, they do things more efficiently than food banks can,” Wadley said.
Wadley said she recently read that Cal Fresh can provide nine meals for every one meal coming from a food bank.
“We always need food and donations and volunteers,” Wadley said.
How to receive help with groceries in Shasta County
The county on Monday, Oct. 27 released an announcement that included a list of resources, residents may turn to for help due to the government shutdown:
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211 Shasta also connects people to food resources. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211norcal.org/Shasta, scroll down to “Select Your Category” and click on “Food.”
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Local Food Resources by county, is on Chico State University’s Center for Healthy Communities’ CalFresh website. It offers downloads of Shasta County food site lists, plus English and Spanish lists specifically for older adults.
Additionally, HHSA’s Community Health Advocates (CHAs) can provide referrals to resources for help with health care, food, utility assistance, housing and more. To request assistance, call 530-225-5285 or email [email protected]. Make an appointment for faster service.
CHAs are available at these HHSA locations:
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Anderson Regional Office, 2889 East Center St. in Anderson, 530-378-1146 or 530-229-8200, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Enterprise Regional Office, 2757 Churn Creek Road in Redding, 530-224-4894,8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Cascade Regional Office, 2460 Breslauer Way in Redding, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Burney Regional Office, 36911 Main St. (Highway 299 E.) in Burney, 530-335-5576,8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
More North State resources for support during shutdown
In a statement, Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick on Tuesday, Oct. 28 provided a list of resources for North State residents who have missed paychecks or are facing financial hardships brought on by the government shutdown.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly “Buzz on the Street” column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: SNAP recipients are 20% of Shasta County population; how to get help
