How many Valley residents rely on 'SNAP' benefits impacted by gov shutdown? Action News has the data

CENTRAL VALLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- "Bottom line, the well has run dry," that's the message from the Department of Agriculture on funding for SNAP benefits. Now, roughly 42 million low-income Americans on food stamps, like Guadalupe Lopez of Fresno, are left wondering where their next meal will come from.

"I am mortified. There's a lot of families that are mortified because of what's happening. We're asking, what are we going to do? What are we going to do?" says Lopez.

Here in Central California, more than 246,000 people in Fresno County rely on CalFresh benefits, which is just over 24% of the population. In Tulare County, it's close to 27% and in Madera, it's a stark 37%.

Funding officially runs out on November 1st. People are now forced to find other options, turning to food banks, churches, or nonprofits. With a staff of just nine people, the Madera County Food Bank is already swamped by the need.

"The Madera County Food Bank right now is seeing double the influx of phone calls, people calling in for emergency boxes," says Ryan McWherter, Madera County Food Bank Executive Director.

When we talk about dollars, it's in the tens of millions.

Fresno County received over $46 million in 2024, both Madera and Merced received over $11 million and Tulare $24 million.

"There is no way for the Madera County Food Bank can fill that gap, but we are going to do the work that we usually do, and we are going to ramp it up as much as we can and do the best that we can," says McWherter.

Compared to other parts of the state, the percentages in the valley are much larger; in LA, it's about 15%, and the statewide average is close to 13%.

"An overwhelming majority of the people we work for are working-class people, they have one or two jobs and they're making pretty good money, but everything costs so much more, rent is more expensive, insurance is more expensive, food is more expensive," says William Gibbs, Merced County Food Bank Executive Director.

The cuts are expected to prompt a trickle-down effect. A store owner in Central Fresno tells us this could easily put them out of business and devastate their customers.

"It's families that have children that they have to maintain. It's very stressful for the person who doesn't have an income," says Ophelia Avila, Fresno County Resident.

Along with general food stamps, WIC funding is also set to run out on the 30th of November, making it even more difficult for women and children to access healthy food.

Now, local food banks and non-profits tell us there is a way you can help, by either donating or volunteering your time. With the holidays quickly approaching, they need the help now more than ever.

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