Volunteers prepare emergency food boxes at ACCFB’s warehouse during the government shutdown on November 6, 2025.
Updated on November 18, 2025.
Throughout the 2025 government shutdown, ACCFB mobilized quickly to ensure that no one in our community went hungry due to missed paychecks or delayed SNAP benefits.
Our community came together and launched emergency support including:
- Significantly increased food purchases so we could distribute more food: In October, we increased procurement by nearly 75% and doubled it for November. Even with the end of the shutdown, we are hearing estimates that 15,000-20,000 community members are seeing their SNAP benefits cut permanently due to federal cuts taking effect.
- Provided food to federal workers going without pay: The Food Bank set up emergency distributions across Alameda County for federal workers. Including weekly distributions of fresh produce, eggs, coffee, and pantry staples like milk, canned protein, pasta, beans, rice, and more to TSA employees at the Oakland airport.
- Launched pop-up pantries: On November 1, nearly 180,000 community members in Alameda County did not receive their SNAP benefits that they rely on to buy groceries. The Food Bank worked with Alameda County’s Social Services Agency (SSA) to quickly provide more access and reduce strain on partner agencies through pop-up pantries. We were able to serve over 630 households – many of whom were not receiving their SNAP benefits.
TSA employees pick up food delivered by ACCFB in the breakroom of the
Oakland Airport on October 16, 2025.
Our work doesn’t stop because the shutdown is over. The impacts of delayed paychecks and disruptions to food assistance will be long lasting. And the largest cuts to SNAP in history went into effect this month.
Need food today? Visit foodnow.net for assistance.
If you have the funds, please make a donation to help ensure that all of us in Alameda County can access the food we need in the aftermath of the government shutdown and beyond. You can also start a Virtual Food Drive to raise money with your friends, family, and community.
We need volunteers to help sort and pack food for distributions. Sign up for a shift at our warehouse or at a site in your community.
Read and watch to learn more:
- W. Kamau Bell: Who’s with me at the Food Bank
- The Daily Californian: Food banks navigate SNAP uncertainty through end of government shutdown
- San Francisco Chronicle: As SNAP benefits lapse, Bay Area food banks scramble to meet increasing demand
- KTVU Talk of the Town: Regi Young, CEO of Alameda County Community Food Bank
- Marketplace: What to know about SNAP during the government shutdown
- The Mercury News: Lines at Bay Area food pantries double as SNAP payments freeze, remain uncertain
- ABC News: Food banks see sharp increase in demand
- CBS News: Food bank executive says they’re “very much” feeling strain from shutdown
- KQED: How to Best Support Your Local Food Bank During Shutdown SNAP Delays
- San Francisco Chronicle: Bay Area officials brace for disaster with SNAP benefits set to expire
- East Bay Times: Alameda County buffers against SNAP cuts with $10 million infusion
- NBC Bay Area: Bay Area food banks decline help from California National Guard troops
- The Daily Californian: Newsom announces potential delays to November CalFresh funding
- KQED: Alameda County Food Bank Delivers to TSA Employees Working Without Pay at Oakland Airport
- San Francisco Chronicle: Bay Area TSA workers warn of worsening shutdown impacts as first missed paycheck hits
- CBS News: Unpaid Oakland Airport TSA workers receive food bank donations on the job
- KPIX CBS News Bay Area: Food bank brings donations to Oakland Airport TSA workers going unpaid in government shutdown
- ABC7 News Bay Area: Alameda Co. food bank steps in to help TSA workers, families impacted by government shutdown
- KRON4: Alameda County Community Food Bank provides food to TSA workers
- NBC Bay Area: A closer look at how Bay Area TSA workers are impacted by the government shutdown
