With funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) set to run out on Nov. 1 as the federal government shutdown enters its fifth week, Jewish Family and Children’s Services is bracing for a surge in food insecurity among Bay Area Jews.
“Many Jewish elders, families with children and people with disabilities are receiving CalFresh,” said JFCS associate executive director Nancy Masters, referring to the state program that administers SNAP benefits. For those who supplement their federal benefits with the JFCS food pantry, “we’re going to need to be able to provide even more food,” she said.
Though there is no official data on how many Jews in the Bay Area receive CalFresh, Masters estimates, based on population figures, that roughly 20 percent of the Jewish community depends on some sort of public assistance.
“It’s not an insignificant percentage,” she said.
Some 42 million people nationwide depend on SNAP, also known as food stamps. That includes nearly half a million Bay Area residents. While Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Wednesday that San Francisco will cover SNAP recipients’ full benefits for November, recipients outside the city will be left in the lurch come Saturday.
Two court rulings on Friday said the Trump administration had acted unlawfully in withholding funding and ordered it to pay for SNAP benefits, but it is unclear how soon the program could be restored even if there is federal compliance.
Food banks around the Bay Area are preparing for an influx of clients. JFCS operates four food banks, in San Francisco, San Rafael, San Mateo and Palo Alto. Last year, the agency provided more than 20,000 bags of groceries and nearly 1,500 grocery store vouchers to low-income individuals and families through its food banks, as well as 40,500 warm meals to seniors in need through its Kosher Meals on Wheels program.
Masters said in the coming weeks the organization is preparing to increase the amount of food it provides, and JFCS is calling on the community for help.
“We will need our community to step up, donate food and make financial contributions to help us meet the need,” Masters said. “Social service agencies can’t replace the role of government, but we can do our part to make sure no one in our community goes without food.”
While food donations are welcome (a list of needed items is on the website), Masters confirmed that monetary donations are the most effective way to support JFCS food banks.
“We’re able to purchase food at reduced rates through local food banks and vendors,” she explained. “So financial contributions stretch much further than individual grocery donations.”
Still, JFCS welcomes both kinds of support. Donations can be made in person at any of its regional offices or through the website, jfcs.org.
The need isn’t limited to seniors and families. According to a 2022-2023 survey by the California Student Aid Commission, 66% of college students across the state are food insecure. Roger Feigelson, executive director of SF Hillel, which serves 10 colleges and universities in the area, said no one knows exactly what to expect in the coming days and weeks, but it will be a “real problem” if the government remains shut down and SNAP recipients do not receive their assistance.
SF Hillel offers aid for students, including a food pantry and microgrants for food and housing assistance. On Nov. 20, it will host a food, clothing and personal-care pantry at the Hillel house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students across all campuses to pick up what they need.
“There was already a need before the loss of CalFresh,” Masters said. “This situation just makes it worse. Everyone deserves food. It’s a basic human need and as a Jewish community, we need to step up and make sure that happens.”
Where to get help
• Call JFCS at (415) 449‑3700
• SF college students:
Apply for Hillel’s basic needs support
Nov. 20 Food Pantry
How to give support
• Drop off food items at any JFCS Food Bank location
San Francisco: 2150 Post St.
Marin: 600 Fifth Ave., San Rafael
San Mateo: 2001 Winward Way, #200
Palo Alto: 200 Channing Ave.
• Donate to JFCS online
• Send virtual grocery store gift cards to [email protected]
• Send physical grocery store gift cards to:
Development / Food Bank Donations
JFCS
PO Box 159004
San Francisco, CA 94115