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. 

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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.goldenhills.org or www.teamjesusoutreach.org.

ANTIOCH, IT’S HAPPENING!

This is NOT a drill. Our brand new Antioch location opens TOMORROW Friday 8/22 at 4:30AM sharp!

3280 Hillcrest Avenue, Antioch

Tag your coffee crew and we’ll see you bright and early! 

#DutchBrosCoffee #AntiochCA #GrandOpening

To learn more about Dutch Bros. Coffee follow www.facebook.com/dbeastcounty and visit www.dutchbros.com.

For more information visit SENT Ministry | Golden Hills Community Church.

We are closed July 4th but visit our booth that day in the alley on the W. 3rd Street side for funnel cakes and deep fried oreos! The 4 Seasonings Steakhouse is located at 304 G Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For menu, reservations, hours of operation and more visit www.the4seasonings.com.

Paid advertisement.

By Warren Cox, Market Manager, California Farmers’ Market Assocation

Antioch CA…It’s here! The new Farmers’ Market in Antioch, in the middle of the Rivertown District in historic downtown, opens Sunday, June 22, 9am-1pm. Conveniently located in the parking lot at the corner of I Street and W. 3rd Street near City Hall, the market will host plenty of free nearby parking in several public lots within 2 blocks of the market.

Join us on Opening Day, Sunday June 22, where 25 truckloads of fresh produce from local family farms will gather featuring the famous super sweet white corn from Brentwood, tree- ripened apricots from Patterson, peaches and nectarines from Hughson, vine-ripe strawberries and organic vegetables from Hollister. Farm fresh eggs, Asian vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries from Little Sky Bakery are sure to be a hit.

Opening Day highlights include a ribbon cutting with the Mayor Ron Bernal at 10am. Bring the children for kids’ crafts, balloon art, and live music. Customers can also Guess the Number of Cherries in the Giant Jar for a chance to win a Market Basket packed with $200 worth of goodies from the vendors.

“Our farm is thrilled to have a farmers’ market in Antioch every Sunday, opening just in time for our first pick of the sweet corn in Brentwood. Picked in the morning, we will bring a truck loaded to the brim” says Glenn Stonebarger of G&S Farms.

This market is made possible from the springtime volunteer work of dedicated community groups.

“Sunday mornings in Antioch are a perfect time to meet up with neighbors, celebrate good food, and access the bounty of our local harvest season in one place!” says Joy Motts, President, Celebrate Antioch Foundation one of the partners for the farmers’ market, along with the City of Antioch.

THIS LOCATION IS CERTIFIED BY THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER, WHERE FARMERS OFFER FOR SALE ONLY THOSE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THEY GROW THEMSELVES. IT IS OPERATED BY CALIFORNIA FARMERS’ MARKETS ASSOCIATION, SPONSORED BY CELEBRATE ANTIOCH FOUNDATION, AND HOSTED BY THE CITY OF ANTIOCH. FOR MORE INFO: @ANTIOCHFARMERSMKT, 800-806-FARM , CAFARMERSMKTS.COM.

For more information about Golden Hills Community Church visit www.goldenhills.org.