San Joaquin County, CA— San Joaquin County, CA – The Lodi Community Foundation and the San Joaquin Community Foundation have partnered to immediately launch the Food Now Fund—a countywide emergency relief effort providing food to local families affected by the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh) benefits.
“The uncertainty over the future of SNAP benefits has already hit thousands of local families hard, but we know San Joaquin County steps up for its own,” said Michael Duffy, CEO of the San Joaquin Community Foundation. “The Food Now Fund gives everyone—individuals, businesses, and civic partners—a direct way to make an immediate difference.”
Matching funds of $60,000 have already been pledged. The Brian M. Stocker Fund and the Duffy Family Fund have each committed $25,000, and the Lodi Community Foundation Board of Directors has allocated $10,000. Together, these contributions will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of your gift. The goal is to raise at least $120,000 before week’s end.
“This is an all-hands moment,” said Louis Ponick, CEO of the Lodi Community Foundation. “The matching grant means every contribution—large or small—can have twice the impact in helping our neighbors put food on the table right now.”
According to the San Joaquin County Human Services Agency, 65,903 households rely on SNAP/CalFresh assistance each month. As families brace for the impact, local food banks are already feeling the strain. The Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin expects its Thanksgiving turkey giveaway to grow from 2,000 to 3,500 families. The Salvation Army Lodi Corps noted a 31% increase in food orders in the last week as families load up on groceries in anticipation of their SNAP benefits going away.
The Food Now Fund will distribute grants to the following partner organizations to sustain and expand grocery and meal distribution programs: Bread of Life, Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin, Grace & Mercy Charitable Foundation, Second Harvest, and The Salvation Army Lodi Corps. Every donation is 100% tax-deductible, and 100% of every dollar contributed goes directly toward the purchase of groceries and food for local families.
How to Donate Online: SanJoaquinCF.org/FoodNowFund
By Check: Payable to “San Joaquin Community Foundation” – Food For Now
Mail to: 6731 Herndon Place, Stockton, CA 95219
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Lodi Community Foundation: Louis Ponick, Info@lodicf.org, (209) 400-7192, www.lodicommunityfoundation.org
San Joaquin Community Foundation: Michael Duffy, MDuffy@sanjoaquincf.org, (209) 943-2375, www.sanjoaquincf.org