Title
a. Amend the Department of Social Services’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget 001-5010-8258-SOC004 to increase appropriations by $150,000, financed by a reduction in the contingencies appropriation 001-1050-8034-CAO020 to provide funding for the Food Bank for Monterey County (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate the changes in the FY 2025-26 Department of Social Services’ Adopted Budget 001-5010-8258 -SOC004 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Amend the Department of Social Services’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Adopted Budget 001-5010-8258-SOC004 to increase appropriations by $150,000, financed by a reduction in the contingencies appropriation 001-1050-8034-CAO020 to provide funding for the Food Bank for Monterey County (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Authorize and direct the Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office to incorporate the changes in the FY 2025-26 Department of Social Services’ Adopted Budget 001-5010-8258 -SOC004 (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY
During to the federal government shutdown, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), locally known as CalFresh, that provides funding for food benefits to eligible customers was impacted during the month of November. The Federal Government released a partial percentage of the entitled November benefits. An agreement with the Food Bank for Monterey County was directed to be executed to help leverage funding that is being used to purchase food by the Food Bank due to the increased needs of CalFresh customers within Monterey County.
DISCUSSION:
On November 4, 2025, the Board of Supervisors received an update on recent impacts of the federal government shut down on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), locally known as CalFresh, that impact Monterey County residents, and provided preliminary direction to authorize a one-time allocation of $150,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County in order to supplement the high demand for food.
The Food Bank for Monterey County is the county's largest provider of emergency supplemental food. Its mission is "to lead community efforts in the awareness and elimination of hunger in Monterey County." The Food Bank for Monterey County operates throughout Monterey County with various distribution sites and stocks the emergency pantries for over 145 nonprofits within the 3,200 square miles that comprise Monterey County and serves 1 in 4 people, approximately 160,000 residents per month, with 35 million pounds of food annually.
Due to the government shutdown, CalFresh benefits were impacted leading many individuals and families in Monterey County to seek food resources from the Food Bank for Monterey County which exceeded normal demand. While these funds are unable to replace the significant financial obligation from the federal government, they can provide immediate support to address a portion of the impact.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The County Administrator's Office - Budget Office concurs with these actions. This item received support from the Board of Supervisors on November 4, 2025.
FINANCING
The impact to the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2025-26 will be $150,000, which will be financed by a reduction in the contingencies appropriation 001-1050-8034-CAO020, and a corresponding increase in appropriations in the Department of Social Services’ FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget 001-5010-8258-SOC004 to provide the budget capacity for these services.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement correlates to the Well-Being and Qualify of Life Strategic Plan Goal adopted by the Board of Supervisors by allowing the Department to partially supplement benefits for food programs that support eligible CalFresh recipients.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
__X_Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Administrative
Prepared by: Prepared by: Lauren Suwansupa, Finance Manager II, x4402
Approved by: Roderick W. Franks, Director, x4430
Attachments: Resolution
The proposed resolution is on file with the Clerk of the Board as an attachment to this Board Report.