By Sara Beth Williams–
Sunrise Christian Food Ministry in Citrus Heights has already seen an increase in the number of families seeking help to keep food on the table amid a potential disruption in food assistance benefits.
Director April Jacek said last week the organization has been preparing for a surge in requests. Already during the week of Oct. 27-31, she has seen 30 new families per day arriving at the closet. Jacek said most families come in the beginning of the month, and she expects an even higher rise in clients this coming week.
Over a week ago, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP, which helps low-income families afford food by providing monthly benefits on an electronic benefits transfer card, reported that necessary funding to continue the program had been depleted, according to multiple national news outlets. Friday, Oct. 31, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund the SNAP program using contingency funds.
At the time of publication, SNAP funding hasn’t been restored, and there are ongoing legal efforts to address the situation at the national level.
“In the event the food closet is overwhelmed with a substantially greater number of clients, we have created a contingency plan to manage the need,” Jacek said, adding that the organization will “monitor the situation closely and respond accordingly.”
On Friday, Jacek said all four lanes were filled with vehicles during the first hour of the food distribution, which is reserved for elderly and disabled individuals, but overall, the amount of traffic was manageable so far.
Along with asking the city to reassess and assist with improving traffic flow and control measures, Jacek said the food closet has partnered with California Northstate University in Rancho Cordova which has offered the use of their parking lot for the National Guard to help pack bags of food.
The Sunrise Christian Food Ministry is located at 5901 San Juan Ave. and has shifted from a walk-up to a drive thru model following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Distribution of food begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for guests who are 60 years of age and older, disabled clients displaying a valid disability placard issued in their name, or homeless individuals. Food distribution continues at 12 noon for anyone under 60 and ends at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings, the food closet distributes food from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
For more food resources, residents can contact 211 or visit the Sacramento Food Bank’s website.
Other local nonprofits and residents in Citrus Heights are also responding to the disruption in food assistance benefits. Several residents in Citrus Heights Facebook groups have offered to collect donations of food and other items and distribute to families in need.
Sunrise MarketPlace has organized a Fall Food Drive, where residents can donate food beginning on Nov. 3.
Single Mom Strong, a local nonprofit that supports families with single mothers with various resources, is also responding to the anticipated need by launching a grocery gift card drive to provide immediate relief for households affected by the benefit disruption. To find out more information or donate, visit Single Mom Strong’s website.
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