What you can do
about SNAP delays
Information on the local impact of the SNAP delays and what you can do to help in Sonoma Valley.
Need food assistance, or know someone who does?
Text "FOOD" or “COMIDA” to (707) 353-3882 to get free food information for Sonoma Valley.
The national context.
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits were at risk of not being renewed for November or until the shutdown ended. Although two judges ruled this unlawful and the administration initially moved to fund 50% of benefits for the month, President Trump appears to be blocking the partial funding plan until the government reopens. As a result, SNAP benefits are currently suspended, leaving millions of Americans without critical food assistance.
The local impact.
In Sonoma County’s District 1, approximately 2,400 residents rely on SNAP, with about 1,800 of them living in Sonoma Valley. At an average benefit of $193 per person per month, the loss of SNAP this month removes roughly $347,400 in November alone in purchasing power from local households—money that would have circulated through neighborhood grocery stores, corner markets, farms, small food businesses, and family kitchens.
This isn’t just a statistic—it represents meals missing from tables, parents skipping food to feed children, seniors facing impossible trade-offs, and a surge in demand on already-strained local food providers. The urgency is immediate, and the stakes are human: without rapid community support, more of our neighbors will go hungry.
What you can do.
Your support—whether through monetary donations, food contributions, volunteer time, or shopping locally—can help fill this gap and ensure that no one in Sonoma Valley goes hungry. Together, we can keep our community strong in a time of urgent need.
Help fill the gap.
Donate groceries.
Want to donate groceries but not sure where to take them? Sign up to donate a bag of food with SimpleGesture, and they’ll pick it up from your doorstep and distribute it to multiple pantries and organizations across Sonoma Valley. If you shop at Lucky Supermarket, a donation table is set up inside for donations that will be distributed by ExtraFood.
Donate and glean extra produce.
Have fruit trees or a garden with extra produce? Sign up to have your property gleaned or volunteer as a gleaner with ExtraFood. Your harvest will reach neighbors in need within 24 hours.
Donate to local organizations.
Many nonprofits and businesses are pivoting to help fill the gap. You can donate to support their efforts.
Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB): Feeds 4,000 Sonoma Valley community members multiple times each month and is expanding two SV distributions to reach even more people.
ExtraFood Recovers 300,000 lbs of food in Sonoma Valley annually, delivering to six community fridges, multiple pantries, and hot meal programs—about 250,000 meals per year—and is stepping up it’s food recovery, gleaning and grocery donation efforts.
Unity Kitchen prepares 300 meals daily for unhoused and food-insecure community members and is stocking its community fridge and pantry with extra staples to prepare for increased demand.
FISH serves 600 people monthly and has increased their Christmas food donations by 20% to support clients facing a financially challenging winter.
La Luz is expanding their services and distributing gift cards so families can purchase the food they need most. Contribute to their food gift card drive.
Comida Para Todos continues providing monthly deliveries of culturally relevant food, offering dignity and stability to families facing heightened fear and uncertainty due to challenges like SNAP cuts and ICE activity.
St. Francis will remain open and ready to provide essential shelf-stable groceries to clients.
St. Leo’s Church remains a cornerstone pantry in the valley and is one of the primary ways community members receive food for Thanksgiving.