On Nov. 1, millions of Americans began to lose food aid. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients and federal employees are now turning to their communities for support as the longest federal government shutdown in American history drags into its second month, halting both food stamp payments and workers’ paychecks.
The Trump administration had refused to release any of the emergency funds, which had already been allocated by Congress to support SNAP, but two judges concluded that withholding them was illegal. These judges gave the Trump administration until Nov. 3 to provide a plan for how it would replenish these benefits, and the administration responded saying it would provide reduced food aid to more than 42 million Americans. But it didn’t say how much money or how quickly beneficiaries would see this much-needed assistance on their cards when they go shopping.
Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the USDA needed to use $5.25 billion in emergency funds to make at least partial payments to Americans on SNAP, but the Trump administration and the USDA claim that doing so could take weeks, if not months.
Bay Area residents are stepping up to the plate to help and protect their neighbors through mutual aid, a powerful tool in communities under duress from capitalist greed and political neglect. During the pandemic, mutual aid provided people with food and clothing, brought folks medicine and even helped them pay their rent through collective community collaboration.
Whether people are in need or want to help their neighbors, here’s an incomplete list of local food banks and drop-off spots to help us continue to keep our communities healthy and whole.
Food Drive Drop-Offs In Oakland
Cafe Santana: 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
RBA Creative: 3817 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
Showing Out Hair Gallery: 3717 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.
Dear John: 3807 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; Nov. 7 to Dec. 5.
Food Banks & Distributors
Mercy Brown Bag Program: 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland.
Hunger Program: Food Distribution Center – 1802 Fairview St., Berkeley.
Berkeley Food Network: 1925 Ninth St.
Free Little Pantry: 36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont.
Berkeley Food Pantry: 1600 Sacramento St., Berkeley; Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm.
California Association of Food Banks: 1616 Franklin St., Oakland.
Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP): 2628 San Pablo Ave., Oakland; noon to 4pm, Mon-Sat.
Harbor House Ministries: Food Distribution Center – 1811 11th Ave., Oakland.
Telegraph Community Center: 5316 Telegraph Ave., Oakland.
Acta Non Verba: Youth Urban Farm Project: 248 Third St., #1056, Oakland.
Golden Light Ministries Church: 878 33rd St., Oakland; Food giveaways Wed and Fri, 1:30-4pm.
East Bay Food Not Bombs: 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland; 510.332.6535.
Free Food Distribution in Alameda County
Alameda Food Bank: 677 W. Ranger Ave.
Gail Steele Multi-Service Center: 24100 Amador St., Hayward; Mon and Wed.
Enterprise Self-Sufficiency Center: 8477 Enterprise Way, Oakland: Tue and Thu.
Thomas L. Berkeley Self-Sufficiency Center: 2000 San Pablo Ave., Oakland: Mon and Fri.
Eastmont Self-Sufficiency Center: 6955 Foothill Blvd., #100, Oakland: Tue and Thu.
East Oakland Collective: Feed The Hood: 7800 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; Dec. 6, 9am to 1pm.
Meals on Wheels of Alameda County: (For seniors) 510.777.9560 (text or voice).
Fruitvale Transit Village: 3301 E. 12th St., Oakland; Wed at 10am.
East Oakland Collective: 7800 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; Tue and Thu at 11am.
FREEdom Store from Homies Empowerment: 7637 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland; Tue-Wed, 10am to 3pm (register by calling 510.729.2072 on Mon-Wed, noon to 3pm).
FoodNow.net: The Alameda County Community Food Bank can connect people to different food sources—from emergency groceries that they can pick up at nearby locations, to home-delivered groceries and monthly benefits from CalFresh to help buy groceries every month.
HOPE Collaborative Food Resource: Year-round farmers’ markets, healthy eating recipes, food education games and food justice-related articles and education. hopecollaborative.net/food-resources.html
