Shutdown Threatens SNAP; California Deploys Guard

The federal government shutdown threatens to delay or cut SNAP/CalFresh benefits nationwide — estimates say nearly 42 million Americans could lose SNAP, including roughly 5.5 million Californians, and about 300,000 West Virginians may miss November benefits. Food banks are reporting record demand — serving more than 50 million people in 2023, up from about 40 million in 2019 — and have been forced to ration items, trim services and boost fundraising but say they cannot replace paused government aid. In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is fast-tracking up to $80 million in emergency funding and deploying the California National Guard and state volunteers to assist food banks with logistics and distribution; officials emphasize the Guard will not act in a law-enforcement role. Local groups report immediate impacts — Facing Hunger Foodbank in West Virginia has cut potato allotments, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada is scrambling to provide Thanksgiving meals for 3,500 families, and San Diego-area food banks are ramping up warehousing and box preparation. Officials warned federal instructions to hold November 2025 benefit data could halt new enrollments in mid-October and cut off benefits for all enrollees after Oct. 23 unless the government reopens, and California said it is prepared to pursue legal measures to protect state control over benefits distribution.