Live updates: Impact of government shutdown on Bay Area, California SNAP benefits

In a unanimous vote, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved $21 million to fund CalFresh, California's federally funded food assistance program - also known as SNAP.

In a unanimous vote, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved $21 million to fund CalFresh, California's federally funded food assistance program - also known as SNAP.

"What we are doing with the $21 million, is it's going into debit cards. These debits card are for people who are already qualified to receive snap benefits," says Candace Andersen, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Adding, the money will come from the general fund.

On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must immediately restart payments for SNAP. But there is uncertainty around how that will play out. In the meantime, the county is stepping in.

Caitlin Sly, CEO of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, calls the vote, "critically important."

"We have over 100,000 individuals here in Contra Costa County, that since Saturday, have been going without benefits, says Sly.

She says the food bank serves more than 79,000 households every month. That includes working families. She describes CalFresh as the first line of defense against hinger.

"Working people! The costs of goods have gone up so high, and then with rent and utilities, people are having to make rally tough choices between paying for food and paying for medicine," says Sly.

According to data from the county, Concord, Pittsburg and Richmond are the top three cities that used CalFresh benefits - totaling close to $7 million of the $16 million spent in September.

Other programs like Meals on Wheels, which helps homebound seniors, is also dealing with increased demand due to SNAP cuts.

"We have seen our numbers double and triple. And I am not sure what is going to happen in the next 10 days, but it could be really bad," says David Linnell, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels' Diablo Region.

"In my district, 750,00 people - in the fifth wealthiest district in the United States - out of 435, over 100,000 people qualify for SNAP," explains Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, who represents parts of Contra Costa County.

He also spoke at the county meeting. He blames President Trump for the federal shutdown and is calling on republicans to come back to the negotiation table.

"And they do whatever he tells them to do. And what he is telling them to do is illegal, immoral and unethical," says DeSaulnier.

The Redwood Empire Food Bank is expecting to help even more families, as SNAP benefits run dry for thousands, due to the government shutdown.

In the North Bay, concerns and confusion about when SNAP benefits could be paid, is driving more people to local food banks for assistance and many local nonprofits are stepping up to help.

There was long line of people waiting for groceries at this distribution in Santa Rosa. The Redwood Empire Food Bank is expecting to help even more families, as SNAP benefits run dry for thousands, due to the government shutdown.

"Based on the calls and conversations we've had with participants, we've been increasing the number of not only senior baskets but our bounty over here, veggies and fruits," said Miguel Corona, Redwood Empire Food Bank Program Manager.

Read the full story here.

President Donald Trump's administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges' rulings required it to keep the food aid program running.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the shutdown. The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nation's social safety net. It costs about $8 billion per month nationally.

It's not clear how much beneficiaries will receive, nor how quickly beneficiaries will see value show up on the debit cards they use to buy groceries. The process of loading the SNAP cards, which involves steps by state and federal government agencies and vendors, can take up to two weeks in some states. The average monthly benefit is usually about $190 per person.

READ MORE HERE.

The owner of Eclipse Hair Studio in Albany is stepping up to help people struggling to get by during the federal government shutdown.

Community members and local businesses are stepping up to help people struggling to get by during the federal government shutdown. One barber in Albany is hoping to help in more ways than one.

At Eclipse Hair Studio on San Pablo Avenue in Albany, co-owner Arturo Perez is offering a helping hand.

"It's a very good day," said Perez.

He's a neighbor helping another neighbor.

"To any family that needs anything. They can come over here," said Perez.

As a father of four, he knows it can be tough for families to put food on the table -- and even more so during the federal government shutdown.

He's giving free haircuts on Sunday in exchange for a food donation.

Read the full story here.