SLO Food Bank expands CalFresh outreach efforts
Officials said only 12 percent of eligible seniors are enrolled
– The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May as CalFresh Awareness Month on May 5, and the SLO Food Bank is encouraging seniors and families to apply for food assistance benefits.
The SLO Food Bank said more than 30,000 county residents currently rely on CalFresh benefits, but only 12 percent of eligible seniors in San Luis Obispo County are enrolled in the program.
The organization said it is focusing outreach efforts on seniors and families because they are considered less likely to be affected by upcoming federal eligibility changes.
“We want every eligible neighbor to know that CalFresh is a vital resource for accessing nutritious food,” said Molly Kern, chief executive officer of the SLO Food Bank. “CalFresh empowers our neighbors to walk into their favorite local grocery store or farmers’ market and choose the food they love, the food that nourishes them, and that meets the needs of their family. When neighbors use CalFresh, the benefits extend beyond their own budgets to support essential local businesses, strengthen our local economy, and alleviate some of the strain on our hunger relief network.”
The SLO Food Bank said House Resolution 1 is expected to reduce federal funding in California by as much as $5.1 billion annually. According to the organization, the legislation would introduce new time limits beginning in June for approximately 3,292 local individuals classified as able-bodied adults without dependents.
“The Department of Social Services is committed to ensuring that all eligible community members can access the CalFresh program,” said Devin Drake, director of Social Services for the County of San Luis Obispo. “Our goal is to make applying for and receiving CalFresh benefits as simple as possible so that the most vulnerable individuals and families in our community can rely on this support to help meet their basic food needs.”
The SLO Food Bank said residents seeking information about CalFresh or application assistance can visit calfreshslo.org.
The SLO Food Bank said it serves more than 45,000 residents each month through neighborhood food distributions, partnerships with 70 nonprofit agencies, senior home delivery services, and farmers’ markets for children and seniors.
