Alameda County Community Food Bank

Immediate Action Needed!
County Policy Change Will Strain Fragile Families

A proposed policy to place a 6-month time limit on General Assistance will have a disastrous effect on our community. If this policy is enacted, 5,800 Alameda County individuals will lose their cash grants (up to $336/month) this summer. The effects of such drastic cuts have been shown to:

Increase homelessness
Decrease employment
Increase criminal activity
Increase demand on Food Bank services, which are already at a record high

General Assistance grants go to single individuals who are unemployed but able to work, have no other means of support and participate in employment service activities. Many recipients are between the ages of 18 - 25 who have been wards of the state and are transitioning towards self-sufficiency.

Please take a moment to express your concern about the proposed time limit to members of the Alameda County Board of Supervisor’s Social Services Committee - Alice Lai-Bitker (510-272-6693) and Gail Steele (510-272-6693) – or to your district supervisor. (www.co.alameda.ca.us/board/)

Please fill the form below to send a letter to Gail Steele and Alice Lai-Bitker about your concern to changes in the GA time-limit.

Letter to Supervisors (Form)
* Denotes required fields.

First Name*:
Last Name*:
Street/Mailing Address*:
City*:
State*:
Zip Code*:
Home Phone:
Fax Number:
Email Address*:
Comments to Supervisors	Dear Supervisor: I am very concerned about the time-limit to the General Assistance Program and the effects it will have on our community. I strongly oppose any such time-limits, as the short-terms gains will have serious long-term financial implications. This cut will give the poorest of the poor nothing at all – total deprivation is morally unacceptable. Do not balance the budget on the backs of our poorest neighbors. There are alternatives, such as effective employment services and SSI conversion strategies. The County has reserves, contingency funds, and fund balances. I request that you, as a Supervisor, demonstrate the leadership to oppose such a terrible cut that would be disastrous for the entire community. Thank you.