Santa Clara Co. providing $4.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank during government shutdown

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Some 133,000 residents in Santa Clara County may be left with tough decisions on whether to pay for bills or medication or put food on the table for themselves and their families.

CalFresh, or SNAP benefits, help people access food, and those benefits will stop Saturday without an end to the government shutdown.

But South Bay leaders are stepping up to make sure no one goes hungry.

"We are here to support you," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee. "We'll do all we can to make sure that you, your family and your children are not going to miss meals."

MAP: Bay Area residents set to lose CalFresh benefits Nov. 1 amid government shutdown

Already set back more than $1 billion due to federal cuts to healthcare and food assistance, Santa Clara County leaders are promising to, once again, dig into their pockets to support those who may soon lose benefits during the government shutdown.

"The federal government's refusal to fund SNAP benefits, for people who are currently eligible, is unjust, unnecessary and cruel," said Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. "Santa Clara County will continue to do everything in our power to mitigate these harmful actions."

The county will provide supplemental funding and assistance to Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley to the tune of $4.5 million as the shutdown progresses. Second Harvest has more than 600 distribution sites to help feed thousands of residents.

CEO Leslie Bacho says Second Harvest will continue to serve the community the best it can, but it cannot completely replace the $25 million in lost benefits amid a food security crisis in the county -- which is already higher than the national average.

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"Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is already serving one in six of our neighbors," Bacho said. "And, of course, as soon as these benefits are withheld, we anticipate that our lines will get longer."

Santa Clara County voters will soon vote on Measure A, a temporary sales tax in the South Bay to make up for previous federal cuts.

County Executive James Williams says the shutdown has created a situation where Santa Clara County is, once again, tasked with finding a way to pay for decisions made by the federal government.

"This is a callous choice by this presidential administration, which has deliberately chosen not to tap into available emergency funding," Williams said. "But, our commitment is that we will continue to do everything we possibly can to provide access to these services."

If you are someone who may be losing benefits starting Nov. 1, you can call Second Harvest at 1-800-984-3663, Santa Clara County's resource line by dialing 211, or visit the county's Community Resource Guide to find information about free food near you.