Topline:
Several local restaurants are offering free and discounted meals to SNAP recipients amid disruptions to funding due to the government shutdown.
Why now: The government has said it will only fund the program through October, meaning that from Saturday many may go without food.
Why it's important: Five million Californians depend on SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh, for their basic nutrition needs. More than a million are in L.A. County.
More than a million L.A. County residents are likely to be hit the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cuts, which are due to take place Saturday as part of the government shutdown. In California, the program is known as CalFresh.
To help those affected, local restaurants and businesses are stepping up to provide free or discounted meals. The effort started in San Francisco and now has spread to SoCal.
We’re compiling a list of places providing support. If you know of any other businesses offering help, contact me at gchabran@laist.com, and I'll keep the list updated.
The Vietnamese counter-service restaurant offers a pay-what-you-can, no-questions-asked option on certain menu items.
Location: 557 N. Hoover St., Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday.
The Cambodian pop-up at Bar & Garden in Culver City will be offering a free bowl of chicken rice porridge every Sunday, available while supplies last, as long as benefits are put on hold.
Location: 6142 Washington Blvd., Culver City
Hours: Sundays, 2 to 5 p.m.
Chef Johnathan Benvenuti has pledged that throughout November, anyone who can show proof of a SNAP benefit card and purchase a regular entrée will have kids eat free with a bowl of pasta, fruit and a scoop of ice cream.
Location: 3860 Worsham Ave., Unit 330, Long Beach
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 7:30 p.m. Closed Monday.
There are multiple food banks in the region — you can find a comprehensive list here.
Supermarket chain Gelson’s has recently partnered with Flashfood, an app. It offers discounted produce boxes filled with fresh fruit and vegetables for $9 at select locations in Silver Lake, Hollywood, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles and North Hollywood.