Memorandum
Date: November 18, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Rachael Dillman Parsons, Social Services Director
Subject: (a) Consideration of an Update from the Food Insecurity Ad Hoc Workgroup; and (b) Approval of a Local Disaster Declaration due to Food Insecurity; and (c) Approval of Additional Funding for Hunger Relief; and (d) Direction to Staff
Executive Summary: As your board is aware, on November 4, 2025, in response to the federal shutdown delaying the issuance of November 2025 CalFresh benefits, your board approved $40,000 per week, $80,000 total for two weeks to provide hunger relief. Additionally, your board established the Food Insecurity Ad Hoc Workgroup, facilitated by Social Services Director Rachael Dillman Parsons, to carry out your directions to staff.
(a) I am recommending your board consider an update from the Food Insecurity Ad Hob Workgroup regarding our actions over the past two weeks, as well as an update on food insecurity in Lake County, including the status of CalFresh and demand on our food banks and feeding partners, potential impact of ACA subsidy loss, projected impact of H.R. 1, and recent economic data on employment/unemployment and cost of living, particularly the rising cost of groceries. Given the rapidly changing situation, the details of this update will be presented on the day of this agenda item.
(b) I am recommending your board declare a local disaster due to food insecurity in Lake County. Our California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Disaster Branch liaison recently informed us that a location Disaster Declaration allows our TEFAP Food Bank, Clear Lake Gleaners Inc., to request disaster food boxes from the CDSS Disaster Branch, if food boxes are available. A disaster declaration may make other state resources available to us in the future, although none are currently available.
(c) I am recommending your board consider allocating additional administrative funding for hunger relief of $20,000 per week, for the next three weeks, a total of $60,000 for the additional three weeks, for a grand total of $140,000 for five weeks, inclusive of the initial two weeks approved at $40,000 per week November 4, 2025. While November 2025 CalFresh benefits have been restored for most households, the future of food stability remains unclear. Our Ad Hoc is recommending funding for hunger relief through the end of December, with a step-down in funding for the remainder of November due to the issuance of CalFresh to most households. Needs for December remain unseen, although that may be clarified prior to this board meeting. Additionally, we intend to bring your board an update and recommendation at the December 9, 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting.
(d) I am recommending your board consider providing additional directions to staff regarding hunger relief efforts due to food insecurity in Lake County.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: _$140,000_ Amount Budgeted: _$80,000_ Additional Requested: _$60,000_ Future Annual Cost: _$140,000_
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Recommended Action: a) Consideration of an Update from the Food Insecurity Ad Hoc Workgroup, b) Approval of a Local Disaster Declaration due to Food Insecurity; c) Approval of Additional Funding for Hunger Relief; and d) Direction to Staff