The Politics of Hunger | We’ve Got a Plan to Help

The Trump Administration and his supporters in Congress are using starvation as a political weapon. Like their illegal, violent immigration policies, cruelty is the point.
 
On Nov. 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) officially stopped providing money for basic food security for 42 million Americans struggling to stave off hunger on an average $6.20 each per day. This includes some 31,000 SLO County residents using the CalFresh program.
 
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island stopped the federal government from illegally blocking emergency funding to continue the SNAP payments into November. But once that roughly $5.2 billion in emergency funding runs out mid-month, there’s no guarantee SNAP payments will continue.
 
This completely avoidable fiasco comes on top of the 600 federal employees living in SLO County who aren’t getting paid due to the government shutdown. Despite controlling all three branches of the federal government, Trump and his minions are trying to blame Democrats for the chaos. 

The SLOCDP fully supports our elected leaders in Congress who refuse to go along with the Republican Party’s damnable decision to discontinue tax breaks for ACA health care premiums that are already starting to skyrocket. Our representatives are withholding their votes on a funding bill until Trump and his congressional muppets agree that health insurance is essential for all of us, not just the rich.
 
Locally, SLO County Democrats are doing what we can to help. Below is a current list of known food-drive efforts underway in our community.

San Luis Obispo

Non-perishables can be dropped off at the SLOCDP headquarters during open hours and will be donated to the SLO County Food Bank. Please visit us at 75 Higuera St., Suite 110, San Luis Obispo. We’re open Monday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Paso Robles

The Paso Robles Democratic Club is collecting donations every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Downtown City Park along Spring Street. Shelf-stable items and monetary contributions will be accepted. Proceeds go to the SLO County Food Bank.

Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles)

The Cuesta College Democratic Club is promoting the Cougar Food Pantry to fellow students whose CalFresh benefits are being suspended. Their message: “Come by and take what you need.” At the San Luis Obispo campus, please visit room room 5104A. At the Paso Robles campus, room N1005.

Helpful tips from Assemblymember Dawn Addis 

• You can still use your EBT card as usual to access any remaining October benefits.

• If your November CalFresh benefits are delayed, you do not need to reapply. Benefits will be issued automatically once federal funding resumes.

• If you're due to renew or submit your SAR 7 in November, please continue to turn in your forms as normal, even though there may be processing delays.

• New applicants can still apply for CalFresh online, by phone at 1-877-847-3663 or in person at a SLO County social services office, which remains open.

• Click here for a list of food assistance programs throughout SLO County.