While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced last month it would not be issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November due to the federal shutdown, most people in California have now received their November CalFresh benefits.

SNAP, known as CalFresh in California, provides more than 30,000 low-income children, families, seniors and veterans in Santa Cruz County with monthly food assistance, helping those in need purchase nutritious food.

The County and our nonprofit partners are here to help.
Here are local resources that can provide your family with food assistance. 

• Second Harvest Food Hotline: 831-622-0991 | Food Locator Map
  Donate to Second Harvest's Government Shutdown Response
  Volunteer with Second Harvest
   
• Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes: 831-722- 4144
  Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes operates a lunchtime hot meal program and a food pantry (no ID required) at 150 2nd St., Watsonville.
  Pantry: 9–11:30 a.m. & 1–3 p.m. (weekdays)
  Lunch: 12–1 p.m. (weekdays)
   
• Grey Bears: 831-479-1055

  Residents of Santa Cruz County age 55 and older are eligible to receive a weekly grocery bag filled with fresh produce and healthy staples through the Healthy Food Bags program. Home deliveries available for home-bound seniors who are disabled and aged 50 or older. $50 per year, payment assistance for those with financial hardship. Visit the Grey Bears website to sign up.

  Grey Bears also offers an all-ages free weekday lunch program and free grocery distribution regardless of socioeconomic background. Both opportunities located at Grey Bears’ warehouse, 2710 Chanticleer Ave., Live Oak.
  
  Free weekday lunch: 11:20 a.m.–12:20 p.m
  Free grocery bag distribution: 11 a.m. weekdays.

• Community Bridges: 831-688-8840 or communitybridges.org. 
  • Community Bridges Meals on Wheels provides delivered meals to adults 60 or older who are homebound and struggle to provide for their own nutritional needs. Sign up here.
  • Community Bridges also offers free weekday lunches for adults 60+ at four county sites.
    • Highlands Park Senior Center (Ben Lomond): 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
    • London Nelson Community Center (Santa Cruz): 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
    • Watsonville Senior Center (Watsonville): 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
    • Live Oak Senior Center (Santa Cruz): 12–1 p.m.
• Santa Cruz Public Library Emergency Food List
• Project Foodbox's Medically Tailored Meals (MTM) are complete, pre-frozen meals designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of individuals managing chronic health conditions. Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH) members managing chronic or diet-sensitive conditions may be eligible. 949-673-0783
   
• Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County
  Central Fire is running food donation collection (non-perishable foods) at all seven fire stations through December. Visit  centralfiresc.org for locations or contact (831) 479-6842.
   
• Local Businesses Offering Free Meals
  • Chubbs Chicken Sandwiches — 766 Chestnut St., Santa Cruz
    Free meals Sat 5–9 p.m. for those impacted by CalFresh loss.
  • Cruise Coffee Co. — 246 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley
    Free lunch or breakfast on weekends (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) with EBT or CalFresh proof.
    
    Email publicinformationofficer@santacruzcountyca.gov to add your business.

Community Partner Resources

• Printable Second Harvest Food Locator Map (English and Spanish)

Key CalFresh Facts

For answers to common questions, please refer to the California Department of Social Services website for CalFresh Frequently Asked Questions. 

We encourage all CalFresh beneficiaries to please continue fulfilling all required CalFresh reporting, including Semi-Annual Reports (SAR 7) and renewals, as well as submitting any necessary verifications so that benefits remain uninterrupted once federal funding becomes available again.

If you’ve been considering applying for CalFresh or other assistance programs, don’t let the federal shutdown stop you from applying!

Anyone in need of support should apply regardless of the federal shutdown. People can apply for CalFresh or other public benefits by visiting BenefitsCal.com.

Do you have unspent CalFresh funds remaining on your EBT card from prior months?
If so, you will be able to use your EBT card in November to spend those remaining funds, there just will not be any new November CalFresh funds added until the federal shutdown is reconciled.

On Nov. 4, the board of Supervisors approved an emergency declaration that includes a 30-day pause on tenant evictions throughout Santa Cruz County. Tenants facing eviction due to the impacts from the federal shutdown may access the following resources:

• Tenant Sanctuary
  Provides information and counsel on tenant rights, and can provide attorney referrals. (831) 200-0740 or info@tenantsanctuary.org.
• Senior Legal Services
  Provides support including to tenants 60 and older. (831) 426-8824 or help@seniorlegal.org.
• Santa Cruz Law Library
  Legal materials and legal research. (831)420-2205 or santacruzlawlibrary@gmail.com
• Self Help Center(Santa Cruz County Superior Court)
  Information and help filling out forms for those involved in eviction proceedings, but does not provide legal advice or representation.(831) 786-7200 (option 4) or selfhelp.information@santacruzcourt.org
• The Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County
  Free mediation to help resolve conflicts between landlords and tenants.(831) 475-6117 (ext. 405) or daniela@crcsantacruz.org.

Santa Cruz County celebrates its long and rich history of immigrants who have shaped the local economy and emerged as leaders in agriculture, tourism, the military, education, business, healthcare, and other vital professions. Fostering a welcoming community is essential for a vibrant and inclusive Santa Cruz County that ensures immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers can access economic security, empowerment, civic engagement, safety, and protection from discrimination, oppression, and violence.

We are proud of our collaboration to help deliver basic services of public safety, education, health care and more. On May 18, 2018, Santa Cruz County joined 25 other jurisdictions representing 18 million Californians in defending Senate Bill 54 and attempting to stop the federal government from undermining public safety and civic participation.

What you need to know:

• The County does not report immigrants to ICE.
• In the unlikely event ICE agents present themselves at County offices to inquire about clients, County staff have been instructed to contact supervisors immediately. ICE agents are not permitted to enter non-public areas of County buildings without a judicial warrant.
• Our Health Center providers and Human Services Department staff are dedicated to respecting and are required to comply with an individual’s right to privacy and confidentiality. We do not share any information about any individual’s immigration status or records with federal immigration authorities.
• You have the right to apply for and secure housing without sharing your immigration status. California law prohibits housing providers from asking about your immigration status unless you are applying for federally funded affordable housing. Additionally, our Housing for Health case management staff are prohibited from sharing personally identifying information when assisting people with housing and will not share the documented status of an individual with law enforcement agents.
• You have the right to apply for and access full scope Medi-Cal health benefits as eligible, as part of California’s Medi-Cal expansion to immigrants of all ages regardless of documented status, including In Home Support Services (IHSS) to those eligible. County staff are prohibited from sharing personally identifying information when helping people enroll in Medi-Cal or IHSS and will not share the documented status of an individual with law enforcement agents.

YARR Rapid Response Hotline    831-239-4289

Call the hotline to report immigration enforcement activity and receive referrals to services. Hotline is staffed 24/7.
More information: https://santacruzrapidresponse.org/

Santa Cruz is a Sanctuary County for transgender, gender queer, non-binary, gender fluid, and intersex people.

By declaring the County a sanctuary for these communities, we seek to ensure access to gender-affirming health care, safeguard individuals from out-of-state legal actions related to gender-affirming health care, and reinforce the county's commitment to equality and human rights.

Services Provided

Our County's Health Centers offer gender-affirming care, and our Health and Human Services Agencies partner with providers like the The Diversity Center, who serves both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties to support LGBTQ+ youth and adults with Behavioral Health needs and to prevent exploitation.

HSA Health Centers support the reproductive health rights of our diverse community by offering comprehensive services, including reproductive health education for teens and adults, STI/HIV testing and treatment, family planning counseling, and access to contraception for individuals of all genders.

Santa Cruz County’s Health Services Agency and Human Services Department are here to ensure individuals and families receive the support they need. An effective way to stay connected with your Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs benefits, or to receive Health Center medical consultations, is over the phone or online, from the comfort of your home or any other remote location.

Changes to Medi-Cal are coming in January 1, 2026. Contact local community partners or the County of Santa Cruz Employment and Benefits Services Division at 888-421-8080 for enrollment support.

Santa Cruz County Immigration Coalition Resources:

• Changes to Medi-Cal Flyer and Frequently Asked Questions
• Hoja informativa sobre cambios a Medi-Cal y Preguntas Frecuentes
• Preguntas frecuentes sobre los niños y la cobertura de Medi-Cal

California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Resources:

• Medi-Cal Program Changes 2026-2027
• Cambios en el Programa Medi-Cal 2026-2027