CalOptima issues $8 million in emergency funding for hungry seniors, low-income households

Some CalFresh recipients in Orange County are expected to get $25 dollar grocery cards later this month as part of an emergency move to get food assistance into the hands of needy families.

The backstory

The cards will come from CalOptima Health, which provides health care to low income individuals in Orange County. CalOptima set aside $8 million for urgent assistance and will give it to about 200,000 clients who are also CalFresh recipients. The funding comes as the future of federal food assistance benefits remains unclear amid the U.S. government shutdown.

“This will be most helpful right now,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health.

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“We didn’t want to wait” until the political wrangling in Washington, D.C., comes to an end, he said, adding: “People can’t wait.”

Where is the money going?

The CalOptima Health board granted $1.5 million each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership Orange County, organizations that distribute 65 million pounds of food a year to food banks, senior centers, shelters and other places that assist those in need. (Hunn said he hopes the donation will inspire others — be they businesses, agencies, or individuals — to also find a way to support the food banks.)

The additional $5 million in grocery flex cards will be issued to CalFresh recipients — many of whom are seniors, and families with children.

What’s next

CalFresh recipients in Orange County should be on the lookout for $25 grocery flex cards expected to be issued later this month. The flex cards should hit mailboxes sometime after the middle of the month, and before Thanksgiving. Cards will require members to activate them using a member I.D. — a requirement intended to fight off mailbox pirates.

Food bank officials said their share of the funding would be put to immediate use.

“The food banks support close to 500 pantries in the communities where people live and work,” Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, said in a statement. “This funding will ensure that these sites have additional, nutritious food on hand during this benefits stoppage.”

Gregory C. Scott, president and CEO of Community Action Partnership of Orange County, said, “This investment directly supports our mission to end poverty by providing immediate food relief, and together we’re ensuring that no one in our county goes hungry.”

Where people can go for help

LAist has compiled a list of resources for people in Los Angeles and Orange counties: Need food assistance? Where to go when CalFresh and WIC benefits are delayed