What you need to know: GO-Serve announces Operation Feed California encouraging community members to volunteer, donate resources and support neighbors to help the 5.5 million Californians whose food benefits have been delayed as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown.
November 4, 2025 - SAN DIEGO, Calif. — On Saturday at a San Diego food distribution site where thousands of people lined up to receive food, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday with California Service Corps members announced Operation Feed California to support the 5.5 million Californians whose SNAP benefits have been delayed because of the more than month-long federal government shutdown.
Operation Feed California encourages Californians to support their neighbors at risk of going hungry by volunteering, donating and finding ways to help neighbors in need.
Californians are asked to:
- Volunteer your time: Find a local food bank at CAFoodBanks.orgopens in a new window. Start or support a local school or campus pantry. Explore other ways to fight hunger in your community.
- Donate resources: Find out if your local food bank/pantryopens in a new window prefers cash or food donations and what they need most. Give cash — it’s often more impactful. See if your employer offers donation matching.
- Support a neighbor: Organize a meal train or grocery delivery for those in need. Share produce from your garden or join gleaning efforts. Promote local spots offering free or discounted meals to those in need.
“Millions of people across the state are seeing a delay in federal food benefits and we need Californians to step up to protect their neighbors from going hungry. Operation Feed California is a critical effort that offers ways to help. This is what it means to be a Californian — when challenges arise, we show up together,” said California Chief Service Officer and Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday.
A California Service Corps member distributes eggs to an attendee at a food distribution site in San Diego after federal SNAP benefits were delayed during the federal government shutdown.
Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s direction, California Service Corps members and the California National Guard were deployed to support the humanitarian mission triggered by the ongoing federal government shutdown and its impact on food benefits for millions of Californians.
Governor Newsom is also fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays caused by the federal shutdown. With Thanksgiving approaching and food prices rising, these resources will strengthen food banks and ensure vulnerable Californians have access to essential nutrition.
This effort mirrors the 2020 statewide response, when the California National Guard, California Volunteers and tens of thousands of volunteers mobilized to feed communities during the pandemic. Together, these actions are a part of a coordinated, statewide responseopens in a new window.
This swift deployment underscores California’s commitment to community resilience and ensures that Californians affected by the government shutdown can continue to access vital food benefits.
To receive updates and volunteer and donation opportunities from California volunteers, visit CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov/Join-CaliforniansForAll.
Californians wanting to volunteer or donate food can go to CAFoodBanks.org/our-membersopens in a new window to find a local food bank in their community.
About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor
California Volunteers, under GO-Serve, empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.
Source: California Volunteers, Office of the Governor
