California to deploy National Guard to support food banks, fast-track funding as Trump’s shutdown strips families of food benefits
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Oct 22, 2025

California to deploy National Guard to support food banks, fast-track funding as Trump's shutdown strips families of food benefits

What you need to know: California is fast-tracking up to $80 million in state funds, as well as deploying the California National Guard and California Volunteers to support food banks as the ongoing federal government shutdown begins to delay SNAP food benefits for 5.5 million Californians.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he will deploy the California National Guard under his command and California Volunteers on a humanitarian mission to support food banks as the federal government shutdown delays food benefits for millions of California families.

In addition to the California National Guard, Governor Newsom is fast-tracking upwards of $80 million in state support ahead of funding delays triggered by the shutdown. The deployment mirrors the Governor's action in March 2020, where the California National Guard supported food banks during the pandemic. At that time, California created an urgent force overseeing the deployment of the California National Guard, the California Service Corps, and tens of thousands of volunteers to support food bank operations during the pandemic, serving more than 800 million meals.

The California National Guard will not be acting as law enforcement. Service members regularly provide support to state civilian authorities, including for Governor-directed missions to support wildfire preparedness and response, tackle deadly drug trafficking, and surge medical capacity during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"Trump's failure isn't abstract – it's literally taking food out of people's mouths. This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action. Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps. I'm expediting state funds for food banks and directing the California National Guard and California Volunteers to help distribute this food to families. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, California is working to ensure CalFresh recipients don't go hungry while food prices are spiking under President Trump."

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Governor Gavin Newsom

"The Trump administration and their GOP shutdown have turned their backs on working people, pulling food from the tables of families who were already struggling to get by. California is taking action to support our families by deploying California's National Guard and California Volunteers to strengthen food distribution and invest $80 million to keep food banks stocked. I'm proud that California is stepping up where federal cowardice has failed families."

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

"The California Military Department, under the direction of the Governor's Office, is proud to support food bank operations across the state," said Major General Matthew P. Beevers. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cal Guard service members played a crucial role in this effort, and they are honored to serve their communities once again. In collaboration with Cal OES and Cal Volunteers, we are dedicated to this critical mission, ensuring that those in need receive the assistance they deserve. This partnership highlights our collective responsibility and commitment to the well-being of all Californians."

"During this critical time as DC strips communities of vital resources, Californians are doing what we always do — which is step up for each other," said Governor's Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director Josh Fryday. "California Service Corps members will be filling the need where DC is failing."

The federal government has directed states to hold November 2025 benefit data that would normally allow CalFresh funds to be allocated to persons with CalFresh benefit cards. This impact is immediate and first affects persons newly enrolling in CalFresh during the second half of October and then all 5.5 million enrollees after October 23, unless President Trump and Congress reopen the federal government by this date or take action to fund benefits.

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