La liberación de los beneficios de CalFresh en California para noviembre

All County offices will be closed for Veterans Day holiday, Tuesday, Nov. 11

By Tish Gallegos, PIO, Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department

(Martinez, Calif.) – California residents are seeing the restoration of their CalFresh benefits to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards as the federal government issues 100% of the funding following a court order. CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Food Assistance Program (SNAP), provides critical food assistance to households and County residents.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has confirmed the loading of CalFresh benefits to EBT cards for November-eligible recipients who should have received them from Nov. 1-6. CDSS expects the loading to continue for those who were regularly scheduled to receive them Nov. 7-10.

CalFresh recipients can check on their CalFresh benefits by visiting BenefitsCal.com, calling 1(866) 663-3225, or visiting an EHSD office (find office locations at ehsd.org). Note that all County offices will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday, November 11.

With the release of funding to load EBT cards, Contra Costa County is pausing its recently announced plan to distribute debit cards to CalFresh participants eligible for the benefit in November. The distribution was expected to fill the gap from the lapse of federal funding that threatened the food security of 107,020 individuals in Contra Costa County, more than half children and older adults.  Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisors’ unanimously approved up to $21 million from the County’s General Fund authorizing the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) to implement the debit card distribution plan.

“We are committed to supporting our community members and remain prepared to possibly distribute the debit cards at a later time if CalFresh (SNAP) funding is further disrupted,” said Board Chair Candace Andersen, District 2 Supervisor. “It is uncertain what will happen with CalFresh benefits for December, and we will hold the County funds in reserve as we watch for the federal government to reach a funding solution.”

The Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency this week due to the federal government shutdown disrupting CalFresh funding. The declaration stands for 60 days, and EHSD expects to report back to the Board about the need to continue the local emergency.

For residents who need food resources, the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano’s Find Food in My City page is available to search by city or zip code for food distribution sites. Community members can also call (855) 309-FOOD (3663). 

Additional Resources

• Contra Costa Crisis Center- crisis-center.org; call 988 or (800) 273-8255; or text “HOPE” to 20121
• 211 Contra Costa Database – Contra Costa Crisis Center – comprehensive database of local health and social services for Contra Costa residents
• CAfoodbanks.org – California Food Banks’ website
• ehsd.org – CalFresh updates related to the federal government shutdown

En Español

(Martínez, California) – Los residentes de California están viendo la restauración de sus beneficios de CalFresh a las tarjetas de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT) ya que el gobierno federal emite el 100% de los fondos luego de una orden judicial. CalFresh, conocido federalmente como el Programa de Asistencia Alimentaria de Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP por sus siglas en Inglés), brinda asistencia alimentaria crítica a los hogares y residentes del condado.

El Departamento de Servicios Sociales de California (CDSS por sus siglas en Inglés) ha confirmado la carga de los beneficios de CalFresh a las tarjetas EBT para los beneficiarios elegibles para noviembre que deberían haberlos recibido del 1 al 6 de noviembre. CDSS espera que la carga continúe para aquellos que están programados regularmente para recibirlos del 7 al 10 de noviembre.

Los beneficiarios de CalFresh pueden verificar sus beneficios de CalFresh visitando BenefitsCal.com, llamando al 1(866) 663-3225 o visitando una oficina de EHSD (encuentre las ubicaciones de las oficinas en ehsd.org). Tenga en cuenta que todas las oficinas del condado estarán cerradas por el feriado del Día de los Veteranos el martes 11 de noviembre.

La Junta de Supervisores sigue comprometida a apoyar a los hogares que no reciben beneficios de CalFresh debido al cierre del gobierno. Cualquier hogar que no haya recibido sus beneficios antes del lunes, puede llamar o venir a una ubicación de EHSD para obtener ayuda. Consulte ehsd.org para conocer las ubicaciones.

A principios de esta semana, la Junta de Supervisores aprobó por unanimidad hasta $21 millones del Fondo General del Condado que autoriza al Departamento de Empleo y Servicios Humanos (EHSD) a implementar el plan de distribución de tarjetas de débito.

“Estamos comprometidos a apoyar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad y seguimos preparados para posiblemente distribuir las tarjetas de débito si los fondos de CalFresh (SNAP) se interrumpen aún más”, dijo la presidenta de la junta, Candace Andersen, supervisora del Distrito 2. “No está claro qué sucederá con los beneficios de CalFresh para diciembre, y mantendremos los fondos del condado en reserva mientras esperamos que el gobierno federal llegue a una solución de financiamiento”.

La Junta de Supervisores declaró una emergencia local esta semana debido al gobierno federal interrupción de la financiación de CalFresh. La declaración tiene una duración de 60 días, y EHSD espera informar a la Junta sobre la necesidad de continuar con la emergencia local.

Para los residentes que necesitan recursos alimentarios, la página Find Food in My City del Banco de Alimentos de Contra Costa y Solano está disponible para buscar por ciudad o código postal los sitios de distribución de alimentos. Los miembros de la comunidad también pueden llamar al (855) 309-FOOD (3663).

Recursos adicionales

• Centro de Crisis de Contra Costa: crisis-center.org; llame al 988 o al (800) 273-8255; o envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra “HOPE” al 20121

• Base de datos 211 de Contra Costa – Centro de crisis de Contra Costa – base de datos completa de servicios sociales y de salud locales para residentes de Contra Costa

• CAfoodbanks.org – Sitio web de los Bancos de Alimentos de California

• ehsd.org – Actualizaciones de CalFresh relacionadas con el cierre del gobierno federal

UPDATE: Starts Tues., Nov 11 | 7 AM–7 PM Pre-loaded grocery cards + food boxes

As federal SNAP food benefits are cut during shutdown

EL CONDADO SE PREPARA PARA APOYAR A LOS RESIDENTES CUYOS BENEFICIOS DE ALIMENTOS ESTÁN SIENDO REDUCIDOS

El condado se prepara para distribuir tarjetas de débito para comestibles a 107,000 inscritos en CalFresh

By Contra Costa County District 1 Supervisor John Gioia

Contra Costa County is stepping up to help our neediest County residents due to the Federal government’s failure to fund its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which is called CalFresh here in California. SNAP serves 1 in 8 Americans and is a major part of our nation’s social safety net. 

Failing to fund this benefit threatens the food security of 107,000 County residents, 55% of whom are children and seniors. The average monthly benefit for a family of 3 is $573 per month.   

The Federal Government’s failure to fund SNAP benefits also threatens the financial sustainability of 706 retailers (most are locally owned neighborhood markets) who sell groceries to CalFresh families. 

Our Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) has developed a plan to distribute debit cards to CalFresh enrollees who live in our County. These debit cards, whose value will be similar to a family’s existing benefit amount, will be distributed soon at a date to be announced at our busiest EHSD lobbies at: 

• 4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch 
• 151 Linus Pauling Dr., Hercules
• 400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill 
• 1305 MacDonald Ave., Richmond 

UPDATE: Starts Tues., Nov 11 | 7 AM–7 PM Pre-loaded grocery cards + food boxes

EHSD and the County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to ensure security of debit cards and safety at these locations. 

Subject to the Board of Supervisors vote next Tuesday, where we will declare a Local Emergency, we plan to allocate up to $21 million out of our rainy day reserves to fund these benefits for the month of November. We are able to do this because of our County’s responsible fiscal management and AAA bond rating. 

Food boxes for needy families, even those who are not CalFresh enrollees, will be available starting Monday, November 3rd, at these same four locations. Needy families, regardless of immigration status, are welcome to come by. 

If anyone needs food now, go to the Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank’s Find Food in My City Link to see where to pick up free food near where you live. 

A Federal Court decision on Saturday ruled that the Trump Administration must continue to fund SNAP food benefits using contingency funds during the government shutdown. However, it is unclear when debit cards used by enrollees can be reloaded with the November benefit amount. It can take one to two weeks to do this.  

That’s why the County is moving forward with its plan to support hard working families who rely on this vital food benefit.

We continue to work with our Federal legislators to advocate for an immediate end to the harmful government shutdown. 

Español

El Condado de Contra Costa está tomando medidas para ayudar a nuestros residentes más necesitados debido a la falta de financiamiento del gobierno federal para su programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP), conocido en California como CalFresh. SNAP atiende a 1 de cada 8 estadounidenses y es una parte fundamental de la red de seguridad social de nuestra nación.

No financiar este beneficio pone en riesgo la seguridad alimentaria de 107,000 residentes del condado, de los cuales el 55% son niños y personas mayores. El beneficio mensual promedio para una familia de tres personas es de $573 por mes.

La falta de financiamiento del gobierno federal para los beneficios de SNAP también amenaza la sostenibilidad financiera de 706 minoristas (la mayoría son mercados locales de vecindario) que venden alimentos a las familias que usan CalFresh.

Nuestro Departamento de Empleo y Servicios Humanos (EHSD) ha desarrollado un plan para distribuir tarjetas de débito a los inscritos en CalFresh que viven en nuestro condado. Estas tarjetas, cuyo valor será similar al monto actual del beneficio familiar, se distribuirán pronto en una fecha que se anunciará en las siguientes oficinas más concurridas del EHSD:

• 4545 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch
• 151 Linus Pauling Dr., Hercules
• 400 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill
• 1305 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

El EHSD y la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado están colaborando para garantizar la seguridad de las tarjetas de débito y la seguridad en estos lugares.

Sujeto a la votación de la Junta de Supervisores el próximo martes, donde se declarará una Emergencia Local, planeamos asignar hasta $21 millones de nuestras reservas de emergencia para financiar estos beneficios durante el mes de noviembre. Podemos hacerlo gracias a la gestión fiscal responsable de nuestro condado y a nuestra calificación crediticia AAA.

Las cajas de alimentos para familias necesitadas, incluso para aquellas que no están inscritas en CalFresh, estarán disponibles a partir del lunes 3 de noviembre en los mismos cuatro lugares. Las familias necesitadas, sin importar su estatus migratorio, son bienvenidas a acudir.

Si alguien necesita alimentos ahora, puede visitar el enlace Find Food in My City del Banco de Alimentos de Contra Costa/Solano para saber dónde recoger alimentos gratuitos cerca de su domicilio.

Una decisión del tribunal federal el sábado dictaminó que la Administración Trump debe continuar financiando los beneficios alimentarios de SNAP utilizando fondos de contingencia durante el cierre del gobierno. Sin embargo, no está claro cuándo podrán recargarse las tarjetas de débito con el monto del beneficio de noviembre. Esto podría tardar de una a dos semanas.

Por eso, el condado avanza con su plan para apoyar a las familias trabajadoras que dependen de este beneficio alimentario vital.

Seguimos trabajando con nuestros legisladores federales para abogar por el fin inmediato del perjudicial cierre del gobierno.

Community partners joined forces in Antioch to deliver fresh groceries, essential goods and compassion to hundreds of local families

By Steve Spraitzar, Public Relations & Trish Heaney – Marketing & Communications Manager, White Pony Express

Antioch, Calif. — On Saturday, October 18, 2025, White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente came together at Kaiser’s Antioch Medical Center to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the rescue and delivery of 32 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food since WPE’s founding in 2013.

The joyful Drive-thru Giveaway welcomed hundreds of local residents who received bags brimming with healthy groceries, hygiene kits, toys, books, and sweet treats. In total, WPE distributed more than 5,000 pounds of fresh foodand 1,000 hygiene kits, along with See’s Candies and other gifts to brighten the day for every family who came through.

The celebration was more than a giveaway—it was a gathering of community spirit and compassion. Volunteers offered smiles and encouragement, and new connections were formed in the heart of Antioch, strengthening bonds across East Contra Costa County.

“At White Pony Express, we believe that when one neighbor is fed, we’re all nourished,” said Eve Birge, CEO of White Pony Express. “Together with Kaiser Permanente and our community partners, we celebrate this milestone not only in pounds of food shared, but in the love that flows from neighbor to neighbor. This event reminds us that compassion is our greatest resource—and when we share it freely, everyone benefits.”

Eve added, “Today, collaboration is needed more than ever. These partnerships enable us to maximize resources. Working together, we believe we can provide access to good food to everybody in our community. And we couldn’t do it without partnerships like this.”

Pam Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area, shared, “At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that food is medicine, and good nutrition helps prevent and treat chronic disease. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, and through community partnerships like this one with White Pony Express, we are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Together, White Pony Express and Kaiser Permanente demonstrated what’s possible when compassion meets action—when organizations unite to ensure every neighbor has access to the nourishment and care they deserve.

About White Pony Express

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, White Pony Express is a volunteer-powered nonprofit based in Contra Costa County. Its mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need—with love. WPE now rescues and redistributes approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh food daily to more than 100 partner agencies, supported by 1,200 dedicated volunteers who live the motto: “All of us taking care of all of us.”

For more information visit www.gracearmsofantioch.org or www.gbfofantioch.org.

Golden Hills Community Church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane in Brentwood. For more information and service times visit www.goldenhills.org or call (925) 516-0653.

By Vanessa Vizard, Vizard Marketing & PR for CalKids

Contra Costa, CA — Contra Costa County families welcoming a new baby can also celebrate another milestone: their child’s very first scholarship. Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS), every child born in the state on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a CalKIDS Scholarship Account waiting in their name —  including more than $2 million in scholarship funds set aside for children in Contra Costa County alone.

CalKIDS is the nation’s largest children’s development account program, designed to support college and career training. For newborns and young children, the state invests up to $175 in a CalKIDS Scholarship Account:

• $100 for being born in California (babies born July 1, 2023, or later; $25 for those born between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023)
• $25 extra when parents claim the account online
• $50 extra for linking the account to a ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan

That’s up to $175 already invested in a child’s future, long before applications, admissions essays, or financial aid forms come into play.

“At First 5 California, we recognize that supporting healthy development begins with a commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, Executive Director of First 5 California. “CalKIDS is a powerful way to show families that their child’s future matters from the very beginning.”

With August, September, and October among the most common birth months in California, thousands of families are becoming newly eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship. It’s a timely opportunity for parents to take an easy first step that can grow into a lifelong advantage for their child’s education.

How to Claim Your Baby’s Scholarship

Claiming is quick, easy, and free at CalKIDS.org. Parents and guardians just need three pieces of information:

• The county where their child was born
• Their child’s date of birth
• The 13-digit Local Registration Number (LRN) on the birth certificate, or the unique CalKIDS code mailed to their home

Once claimed, families can log in anytime to view balances, link a ScholarShare 529 Account, and learn how funds can be used. Eligible expenses include tuition and fees, required books and supplies, and computer equipment at accredited higher education institutions nationwide.

“I appreciate the forward thinking of CalKIDS by investing in the education of our next generation! Starting to save for college early will pay dividends in the long run,” said Contra Costa parent Joshua Tan.

Small Actions Make a Big Difference

Research shows that children with even small savings for higher education are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate. Education is also one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty — a college degree can nearly double lifetime earnings. By giving every child in California a first scholarship, CalKIDS brings that opportunity to families from day one and makes the path to higher education more attainable for millions.

Across California, CalKIDS is working with hospitals, county offices, and community partners like United Ways of California to ensure families know about this opportunity from the very beginning.

“Every child deserves the chance to dream big, and that starts from the moment they are born. CalKIDS is helping families of newborns begin saving for education and career training right away. United Ways of California is proud to support this effort, which aligns with our work to expand economic mobility and opportunity across the state,” said Mandy Nand, Associate Director of Economic Mobility, United Ways of California. “United Ways of California is thrilled to support CalKIDS. By providing funds to every newborn, California is giving families peace of mind and an important financial foundation for their child’s future. This effort reflects our mission to help families build stability and opportunity from the very start of life.”

Since its launch in 2022, CalKIDS has become the largest child development account program in the country. In addition to newborns, CalKIDS also created accounts for over 4 million public school students, accounting for more than 5 million children total with CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts and $2 billion invested. More than 700,000 families have claimed their scholarships, turning possibility into action.

Families can learn more and claim their baby’s first scholarship today at CalKIDS.org.

About CalKIDS: The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships for higher education. Administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, and Chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, the program is designed to promote the pursuit of higher education statewide by empowering families to build assets, nurture savings habits, and raise their educational aspirations. Eligible public school students can receive CalKIDS Scholarships worth up to $1,500 and every child born in California on or after July 1, 2022, is awarded a CalKIDS Scholarship worth up to $175, ensuring more families have the resources needed to support their children’s education. To learn more, visit CalKIDS.org.

Legal experts warn it’s “A Child Predator’s Dream Bill”

By Greg Burt, Vice President, California Family Council

SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom has once again proven his contempt for California parents. Yesterday afternoon, he signed AB 495, a bill that fundamentally undermines parental rights and opens the door for abuse, kidnapping, and government interference in family life, all while claiming it “protects parents and children.”

After months of warnings from parental rights advocates, faith communities, and constitutional attorneys, Newsom ignored every concern. In a calculated act of deception, his office released a statement claiming AB 495 safeguards parental authority. In reality, this law allows any adult, without verification, without parental consent, and without even notifying parents, to make medical and educational decisions for a child.

CFC President: Newsom’s Assault on Parental Rights Endangers Children

“Governor Newsom is deliberately trying to deceive parents by claiming this bill protects them, when in fact it does the opposite,” said Jonathan Keller, President of California Family Council. “AB 495 strips parents of their constitutional rights and hands them over to unverified strangers. It is unconstitutional, it is illegal, and no school or medical facility should recognize or accept the authority of a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit without a verified signature from a parent or legal guardian. Newsom knows exactly what this bill does, but he’s hoping the press and the public won’t read it for themselves.”

“AB495 allows…any adult claiming to be a relative within five degrees of kinshipcan sign a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit giving them the ability to ‘authorize any other medical care.’ And all this can be done with no parent signature, no notary, no verification and no parent notification required.”

Despite claims to the contrary, AB 495 allows ANY adult to use the new Caregiver Authorization Affidavit as “sufficient to authorize enrollment of a minor in school and authorize school-related medical care.” Then any adult claiming to be a relative within five degrees of kinshipcan sign a Caregiver Authorization Affidavit giving them the ability to “authorize any other medical care.” And all this can be done with no parent signature, no notary, no verification and no parent notification required. This law will allow unvetted adults to make medical decisions, enroll children in school, and act as de facto guardians, even though parents would remain legal guardians.

Legal Experts Warn: “A Child Predator’s Dream Bill”

“Governor Newsom deceptively describes AB 495 as a caregiver planning tool for undocumented immigrant parents. It’s more accurately described as a child trafficker’s and child predator’s dream bill,” said Dean Broyles, Esq., President and Chief Counsel of the National Center for Law & Policy. “Its sweeping application is not limited to immigrant families, does not require any parental notice or consent, and lacks even the most basic safeguards to protect children. Anyone falsely claiming kinship can easily sign the affidavit, access a child, obtain medical care, and enroll them in another school. Even the most basic safeguard of a notary is not required to confirm the true identity of the person accessing your child.  AB 495 violates fundamentally constitutionally protected parental rights, endangers California’s children, and will be appropriately legally challenged and struck down.”

“With AB 495, state-sanctioned kidnapping is now legal,” warned Julianne Fleischer, Senior Legal Counsel at Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “This is more than overreach — it is a betrayal of families and a blatant disregard for parental rights. This unprecedented intrusion into parental rights marks a deeply concerning moment for our state — one for which Gavin Newsom must answer.”

“Governor Newsom’s actions define him, not his smooth talk and 100-watt smile,” added Erin Friday, Esq., President of Our Duty – USA. “Behind that veneer, is a man who consistently signs bills that eviscerate parental rights. Handing a child over to an adult five degrees separated by marriage, divorce, or blood based upon an unverified one-page document with any pre-authorization of the parents, is beyond the pale.”

CFC Calls for Defiance and Parental Vigilance

California Family Council is calling on schools, hospitals, and clinics to refuse to accept any Caregiver Authorization Affidavit that is not verified or notarized by the child’s legal parent or guardian.

“Governor Newsom may have signed this bill into law,” Keller said, “but parents are under no moral or legal obligation to accept its legitimacy. This bill violates both the Constitution and common sense. No one, not a school administrator, not a doctor, not a government bureaucrat, has the right to override a mother or father’s authority.”

CFC urges parents to take immediate action to protect their families:

* Update emergency contact lists at schools and medical offices to include ONLY those adults you trust to make educational and medical decisions for your child.

* Submit written directives stating that NO ONE outside your listed contacts is authorized to pick up or make decisions for your child.

* Support efforts to legally challenge AB 495 and restore parental rights in California law.

“This coalition will not rest,” Keller concluded. “We will work with our partners, our attorneys, and thousands of California parents to overturn this unconstitutional law. Parents, not politicians, are the rightful guardians of their children.”

About California Family Council

California Family Council works to advance God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture. By advocating for policies that reinforce the sanctity of life, the strength of traditional marriages, and the essential freedoms of religion, CFC is dedicated to preserving California’s moral and social foundation.

On the “Compy” Compomizzo Fishing Pier

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

It is time to grab your poles and set your sights on the pier! This Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, the 37th Annual Free Kids Fishing Derby will be taking place from 9am-12pm.

Held in memory of late Antioch resident Uril E. “Compy” Compomizzo, who inspired the mission statement: “Get kids hooked on fishing, not drugs or gangs,” the fishing derby will be held on the fishing pier named for him and in the adjacent Waldie Plaza.

It provides the opportunity to teach kids fifteen years and younger conservation and the basics of fishing competition that may spur an interest in future events.

Register the day of the event to join in on this exciting afternoon filled with great catches!

Note: If you have your own fishing poles, please bring them. For those who do not have fishing equipment, there will be poles for you to borrow.

This event is made possible through the great partnership between the California Striped Bass Association, West Delta Chapter and the City of Antioch Recreation Department. Learn more about the West Delta Chapter when you visit, striper-csba.org/West-Delta-Chapter/