photo credit: CalFresh

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Oct. 22 he’s deploying the California National Guard to help staff food banks. 

With the federal shutdown going into week four, many in Sonoma County may not get their CalFresh benefits in November.

There are about 47,000 people in Sonoma County on CalFresh, the state’s food assistance program.

Some people have received their benefits for November but the majority have not.

That's according to the Sonoma County Human Services Department.

Many of these folks are expected to turn up at food banks and Governor Gavin Newsom has fast-tracked $80 million dollars to help make up for the federal funding gap.

Allison Goodwin is the president and CEO of the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the largest in Northern California.

She notes the governor isn’t releasing new money.

The $80 million dollars was already allocated to food banks in July. The state is simply expediting the reimbursement for money food banks have already spent.

That means food banks will still need to find more funding to meet the anticipated needs of CalFresh recipients.

“We don't necessarily have a plan in place and the infrastructure in place of how food banks are going to foot the bill, quite honestly,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin said food banks will need more help from the community – to donate time, money and of course food.

As for calling in the National Guard?

Goodwin says the Redwood Empire Food bank won’t request their help, they need food, not soldiers.