Food Bank pivoting quickly in response to Trump, state cuts

CONCORD, CA (Apr. 15, 2025) — The rapid pace of the daily cuts coming out the Trump administration the past few months left officials at the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano on their heels.

But, after the initial shock, executive director Caitlin Sly noted they “quickly shifted into action mode, working on a plan to minimize impact” to the community they serve and the agency’s partners.

“Our goal is to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, and hearing about potential cuts and freezes in both state and federal funding is worrying,” Sly said.

In need of protein, produce, dairy

The Food Bank has already had 11 food shipments, representing more than 250,000 meals, canceled through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). According to Sly, TEFAP has been a critical resource in meeting the rising demand for food assistance, especially for fresh protein – one of the most expensive and in-demand food groups. Fresh produce and dairy are other key essentials at risk.

Last year, the Food Bank made a significant shift toward utilizing TEFAP to keep up with the rising need for the 65,000 households now served each month.

“If these shortages continue, it will put additional pressure on food banks like ours to fill the gap – at a time when resources are already stretched thin,” Sly said.

“We’re actively exploring ways to continue providing fresh produce, protein and dairy to our neighbors in need, but we will have to rely more than ever on community support and donations to help bridge that gap.”

How you can help

To address this period of uncertainty, the Food Bank has been harkening back to lessons learned from COVID. The local need has remained high since the pandemic, and supporting year-round food drives has made it easier for donors to give shelf-stable food.

“Our strategy has been to closely monitor developments, raise funds to help bridge the anticipated gaps, and actively advocate to our elected officials to end these harmful cuts and funding freezes,” said Sly.

The Food Bank also is extolling the community to unite to raise its collective voice and speak up about potential funding cuts and how they are impacting their neighbors living on the margins.

“We rely on the generosity of our local community with donations, volunteering and advocating for stronger safety nets,” she added.

It remains essential that the public fill up the Food Bank’s recognizable orange barrels that have been fixtures around the community in places like supermarkets, schools and churches. While such donations provide the Food Bank with nonperishables, monetary donations can go even further – enabling the procurement of a larger variety of fresh goods.

“The Food Bank is able to purchase in bulk, and with every dollar donated, we can provide enough food for two meals to our neighbors in need,” Sly said.

50th anniversary gala

Corporate and community support have always been vital to the Food Bank’s mission, and Sly acknowledges that appeals to both will be even more critical this year to navigate state and federal funding shortfalls. So, the Food Bank is stepping up its campaigns to reinforce that critical need.

“We’ll continue working to strengthen these partnerships and seek new opportunities for support to ensure we can meet the growing need,” Sly said.

One special event is the upcoming gala and 50th anniversary celebration to recognize the hard work it took to serve the community for the last 50 years – and what it will take to keep serving the community for years to come. It will be held Saturday, April 26, at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville. Tickets are available at www.foodbankccs.org/gala.

As the end of the school year approaches and youngsters will not be receiving school meals, the Food Bank is also raising funds to provide local families and kids with the support they may need.

Hunger Action Month in September will be a chance to roll out some new initiatives to engage the community and raise awareness about food insecurity, while Giving Tuesday during the holiday season further supports the nonprofit’s programs.

But Sly reiterated the inescapable reality that is becoming more acute.

“Hunger will not wait until Giving Tuesday, and it is essential to remember that this is a year-round fight,” she said. “With potential funding losses, we’ll rely more on our local community than ever.”