Even in Marin, one of the most affluent counties in America, the COVID-19 lockdown has produced soaring numbers of hungry people.
Marin County reported last week that applications for food assistance from CalFresh soared 343 percent from last year.
CalFresh, which replaced food stamps, is for people who meet federal income eligibility rules.
More people are going hungry in Marin as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardship experienced by lower-income residents. Marin HHS Assistant Director Kari Beuerman said HHS Public Assistance approved 1,187 CalFresh applications (out of 1,655 submitted) in April 2020 compared with 268 in April 2019.
“We want families to know that HHS is ready to help them access essential nutrition support, such as from CalFresh,” Beuerman said. “While we are alarmed by the numbers of people in dire need, we are heartened by the fact that so many seem aware of the program and are availing themselves of this important resource.”
Jesse Paran, Public Assistance Division Director, said HHS staff is working hard to meet this increased need and have eligible residents – regardless of citizenship status – to apply online, by phone, or by mail.
“In response to the unprecedented increase in applications, we devoted staff to immediately process applications,” Paran said. “The more urgently we can get food benefits to qualified applicants, the fewer vulnerable people are skipping meals and going hungry.”
The increase in hunger is nationwide.
In Las Vegas the food bank there thought they’d see 200 to 250 cars a day at their drive-thru. They got 1,200 cars a day. At the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, executive director Joe Arthur estimates his nonprofit went from serving 135,000 individuals a month to approximately 175,000. Central Texas Food Bank saw a 207 percent spike in clients.
Even Mill Valley, a pocket of wealth in Marin County, gets 200 cars a day at its food drive-through.
There are several ways to connect with HHS staff and apply for CalFresh. People can apply at GetCalFresh.org or call 877-410-8817.
CalFresh has expanded to older adults and persons with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income, and we encourage residents in those categories to apply.
Additionally, Marin students can receive hundreds of dollars in nutrition assistance to help prevent childhood hunger while schools are closed amid the pandemic. Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals can receive additional support to purchase groceries through California’s Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program.
Families with P-EBT eligible children that receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or foster care benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits and will receive a P-EBT card of up to $365 for each eligible child. The State of California is mailing cards through the end of May. Other families receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits but not on public benefit assistance will need to complete a short online application, which will open May 22. For families that do not receive the P-EBT card in the mail, the deadline to apply is June 30.
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