top of page




CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF CALIFORNIA
CalFresh Healthy Living & CalFresh Outreach Programs
A Fresh Start for a Growing Family
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
Feb 191 min read
From Hardship to Hope: Supporting Families in Crisis
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
Feb 102 min read
Helping a Family Rebuild: Supporting a Mother Through Challenging Times
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
Feb 101 min read
Finding Stability: Connecting Justin to CalFresh Benefits
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,
Feb 102 min read
Supporting Families Through Change: Helping a Single Mother Access Health Care and Food Assistance
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
Feb 101 min read
Assisting and Supporting Families in Need
In California’s Central Valley, where food insecurity affects countless families, Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno is working to...
Sep 17, 20252 min read
CalFresh Outreach Brings Hope to Camp Fire Survivors
Even years after the devastating Camp Fire, survivors in Paradise continue to rebuild their lives. For many, the journey is long,...
Sep 17, 20251 min read
Unlocking Food Security: How Coordinated Advocacy Helped a Client Access CalFresh and Stabilize Her Life
At Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD), our CalFresh Outreach program works to ensure vulnerable community members can access...
Sep 17, 20252 min read
Helping a Young Man Reclaim Stability Through CalFresh
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...
Sep 17, 20251 min read
Young Man's Gratitude Sparks Community Impact at Salinas Outreach Event
A CalFresh outreach event in Salinas became a moment of inspiration when a young man shared how past support helped feed his family...
Sep 17, 20252 min read
Finding Hope: A Family’s Path Toward Stability Through Community Support
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...
Jun 10, 20251 min read
A New Beginning
The client, I'm currently assisting, lives in a Sober Living Environment after completing a 90-day residential treatment program. She...
May 27, 20252 min read
Love is Inventive, Even to Infinity
Sometimes, people hesitate to ask for help, even when they need it most. That was the case with a father who St. Louis Resource Services...
May 1, 20252 min read
CCSR - Benefit Assistance
A client of ours had been unemployed for over four months after being laid off from an auto parts store due to substance use. He was...
Jan 14, 20252 min read
CCYS Ensures Timely CalFresh Approval for Elderly Client with Coordinated Support
Catholic Charities Yolo-Solano (CCYS) recently provided critical assistance to an elderly client with dementia, who was referred to the...
Oct 1, 20242 min read
CalFresh Benefits Granted After Sponsor Deeming Issue
There is still misinformation and limited knowledge within the immigrant community about when they are eligible for benefits. This often...
Aug 26, 20242 min read
A Struggling Family of Seven
Every Monday, even though food is not distributed at Catholic Charities of Orange County (CCOC)’s food distribution center in Santa Ana,...
Aug 26, 20242 min read
A Young Mother at MOMS Event
Catholic Charities of Orange County (CCOC) has many partnerships, ranging from faith-based organizations and healthcare providers like...
Aug 26, 20242 min read
Turning Around Uncertainty
As a navigator for the Health and Wellness department at Catholic Charities of Orange County (CCOC), I support clients with Medi-Cal and...
May 8, 20242 min read
A Helping Hand for a Family in Need
Catholic Charities of Orange County (CCOC) provides a variety of services in Orange County to those in need. The Health and Wellness Team...
May 8, 20242 min read
This program is funded by USDA SNAP, known in California as CalFresh, an equal opportunity provider.
bottom of page