With an assist from Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, Congressman Sam Liccardo is rallying support for food banks helping families who have lost SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
Jackson-Davis joined Liccardo at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Monday to urge residents to provide financial support for the food bank while funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as CalFresh in California, is frozen by the federal administration.
In Santa Clara County, more than 130,000 people receive support from CalFresh, Liccardo said — and food banks can’t cover the gap on their own. He said it’s unclear when SNAP benefits will restart, but even then, President Donald Trump’s administration will only provide half of the benefits for November. As of Tuesday, Trump said he would not abide by the ruling of two federal judges to restart SNAP until the government reopens.
Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is using his star power to encourage people to donate to Second Harvest. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert.
Liccardo asked people to give generously to Second Harvest or volunteer their time.
“This is a moment of crisis for so many in our community … in particular, more than 500,000 residents in our Bay Area who depend every day on CalFresh to help feed them and their families,” Liccardo said. “Back in the Warriors’ first championship season … there was an expression called ‘strength in numbers’ that recognized the value of everybody coming together to make a contribution on the team. The community here in the Bay Area needs to step up together for those who critically need our help.”
Some local restaurants are already doing their part by offering free meals for children and discounted meals for parents to help families get by.
Jackson-Davis encouraged SNAP recipients to go to food banks to receive the resources they need to survive. He said he wants to see people thrive.
“I’m just trying to do my part to use my platform, use the Warriors platform, to shed light on the situation and hopefully people come out to donate and help,” he told San José Spotlight.
Second Harvest provides a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, dairy and staples such as rice and beans. CEO Leslie Bacho said no one should have to choose between paying rent, utility bills and putting food on the table, especially in a region as wealthy as the Bay Area.
“This is a crisis that … will take all of us — government leaders, corporations, philanthropists and community members coming together to ensure none of our neighbors go hungry,” she told San José Spotlight.
The food bank is ramping up to meet the surge of people, including sending 50% more food to its distribution sites, but it relies on volunteers and individual funding, Bacho said.
“We are already seeing an increase in demand, and we are expecting to see more in the days and weeks to come,” she said. “Even before the government shutdown, food insecurity was at an all-time high. Here in Silicon Valley, it’s actually higher than the national average due to the high cost of living. One in six of our neighbors already relies on Second Harvest.”
Resident and SNAP recipient Michele Mashburn said SNAP provides dignity and control of her food choices, while food banks create community and keep people fed when those benefits fall short.
“The current federal funding freeze threatens a lifeline that helps people stay nourished, independent and connected to their communities,” she told San José Spotlight. “We cannot claim dignity or equity while people are left hungry or forced to fight a system just to eat.”NewsMatch 2025 In-Article CTAEulalia Garcia, who is homeless and relies on SNAP, has been saving up for a deposit and first month’s rent. But she said the loss of food stamps forced her to use her savings to eat.
The delay and decrease in SNAP funding has a massive impact on the community, Liccardo said. Parents who depend on these benefits to feed their children have to choose between food, health care and rent.
“We need to support Second Harvest and our partners in this moment of crisis,” he told San José Spotlight. “We’re only going to get through it together.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].