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 during the holidays—and how he paid it forward by encouraging others to apply as well.

Salinas, a city with a large population of low-income families and farm workers, continues to face high rates of food insecurity. Many residents struggle to access consistent and nutritious meals due to limited income, language barriers, and fears around public charge policies. Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey (CCDOM) regularly conducts CalFresh outreach to help alleviate hunger and connect families with the resources they need.

At a recent outreach event in Salinas, CCDOM’s Nutrition Educator and Outreach Specialist team offered bilingual CalFresh information, pre screenings, and one-on-one application support. During the event, a young man approached the team to express his gratitude. He shared how, in a time of financial hardship, Catholic Charities had helped him successfully apply for CalFresh. The support he received ensured that his family had food on the table during the holidays—just in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Inspired by the impact, he went on to refer several relatives to Catholic Charities. Because of his outreach, multiple families were able to enroll in CalFresh and access healthy food during their own times of need. The team thanked him for sharing his story, provided additional resources, and encouraged him to continue being an advocate in his community.This moment underscores the ripple effect of effective outreach and the power of trust in close-knit communities. Through compassionate support and word-of-mouth, CalFresh assistance not only helped a family through the holidays—it built lasting connections and spread hope across neighborhoods.

To sustain this success, CCDOM continues to host bilingual outreach events across Monterey County and foster strong community relationships through trust-based engagement. The team is also building a network of “community champions”—individuals like this young man—who can help amplify CalFresh information within their circles. Future efforts will include follow-ups, expanded school partnerships, and increased access to materials in multiple languages to reduce stigma and confusion around eligibility.