At Catholic Charities Yolo-Solano (CCYS), the food pantry functions as both an immediate food access point and a gateway to longer-term nutrition assistance. Many clients are referred through trusted community partners, allowing CCYS to reach individuals who may otherwise remain disconnected from benefits. In this instance, a client was referred to the CCYS food pantry by a partner organization for emergency food support. Initially, the client accessed pantry services exclusi

As a Family Service Coordinator at St. Louise Resource Services (StLRS), I regularly support families facing urgent food insecurity. Recently, I worked with a single mother of two, including a two-month-old newborn, who had lost her CalFresh benefits after missing her renewal deadline. With only $1,000 per month in child support and unable to return to work while recovering postpartum, she was struggling to meet her family’s basic needs. When she came to StLRS, she was overwh

Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD) operates a CalFresh Outreach (CFO) program focused on helping low-income individuals and families access nutrition assistance. In San Diego County, many older adults living in residential housing sites experience food insecurity and also face barriers to enrolling in CalFresh, including limited transportation, language challenges, and difficulty navigating the application process. CCDSD’s CFO program works directly in the commun

Hardship can often arrive suddenly and without warning, leaving families struggling to survive and unsure where to turn. The loss of a job, a loved one, or a stable source of income frequently threatens a family’s ability to meet even their most basic needs. During moments like these, Catholic Charities Yolo Solano (CCYS) served as more than an organization. It becomes a source of hope. Through guidance and compassion, the CalFresh Outreach team helps families regain stabilit

When a local mother came to Catholic Charities San Bernardino & Riverside Counties (CCSBRiv), she faced a perfect storm of life’s most difficult challenges: a divorce, a medical emergency that left her temporarily on disability, and the sudden responsibility of covering housing and utility costs on her own. With her college-aged daughter also struggling to find work, their pantry was empty and their future felt uncertain. Feeling overwhelmed, she shared that the amount of pap

Justin is a 34-year-old man living outdoors in Clearlake Oaks. With no income, he relies on food from Catholic Charities Lake County distribution sites and local drop-in centers. I meet him at Big Oak Peer Support Center when a staff member suggests he talk with me about applying for food stamps. I introduce myself, explain the services I provide, and ask if he would like to discuss potential resources for support. After grabbing a piece of pizza and coffee from the kitchen,

For one family of three, the weeks leading up to Christmas bring unexpected hardship instead of holiday cheer. With a young child to care for and limited resources, they face uncertainty at one of the most challenging times of the year. The family, a mother, father, and their five-year-old daughter, who is autistic and nonverbal, rely on the father's income to stay afloat. When he suddenly loses his job, their small savings vanish quickly. With mounting expenses and a child w

At Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, our CalFresh Outreach (CFO) program is dedicated to helping low-income families in Soledad and Greenfield access the food assistance they need. Many families face barriers such as limited transportation, language challenges, and fears about immigration status, which can make visiting county offices feel intimidating or impossible. To meet these families where they are, our outreach team partners with trusted local clinics and communi

Last year, a single mother with two children reached out to the team seeking assistance. At the time of her initial assessment, she qualified for MediCal but did not meet the income eligibility requirements for CalFresh. The Catholic Charities of Santa Clara (CCSC) team provided guidance, answered her questions, and encouraged her to stay connected should her circumstances change. Several months later, the team reconnected with her at a community outreach event. Because of th

When I was first asked to begin CalFresh outreach in Lake County, I felt ambivalent. Catholic Charities hadn’t provided consistent...

In California’s Central Valley, where food insecurity affects countless families, Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno is working to...

Even years after the devastating Camp Fire, survivors in Paradise continue to rebuild their lives. For many, the journey is long,...

At Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD), our CalFresh Outreach program works to ensure vulnerable community members can access...

Earlier this year, I met a young man whose life had taken an unexpected turn. As a former executive, he never imagined he would lose his...

One of the most valuable outcomes of Catholic Charities Yolo-Solano’s outreach work this year has been the strengthening of partnerships...

A CalFresh outreach event in Salinas became a moment of inspiration when a young man shared how past support helped feed his family...

A family of three attended one of our outreach events at a local food bank, where the mother connected with a member of our team and...

In times of rising food insecurity, it’s more important than ever to ensure that neighbors not only have access to immediate food...

The client, I'm currently assisting, lives in a Sober Living Environment after completing a 90-day residential treatment program. She...

As a program manager with Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey’s (CCDMO) CalFresh Outreach (CFO) program, I help families across...