San Diego Community Resources
SNAP Pause & Federal Furlough Assistance
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, our community is facing two significant challenges:
- A potential pause in CalFresh (SNAP) benefits: The USDA has warned it may not be able to fund November benefits, which could delay or reduce vital food assistance.
- A loss of pay for federal employees: Our neighbors working for the federal government are on furlough and not receiving paychecks.
The Junior League of San Diego is actively monitoring the upcoming pause on SNAP (CalFresh) benefits, scheduled to take effect on October 31, 2025, as well as the financial impact of the federal furlough on government employees. We understand these events will significantly impact food security and financial stability for many individuals, families, and federal employees in our community. As an organization committed to improving San Diego, we have compiled the following list of local and national resources to help all those affected navigate this challenging time.
Why This Matters for San Diego
In San Diego County, tens of thousands of households depend on CalFresh to access healthy food. A pause or delay in benefits can cause immediate food insecurity, especially for children, seniors, and individuals already living paycheck-to-paycheck. Local food banks and community organizations often experience a surge in demand during such interruptions.
San Diego Community Resource List
If you or someone you know needs support, please use and share these resources.
General Food & Community Support
- 211 San Diego: Call 2-1-1 or visit 211sandiego.org. A comprehensive resource for local food banks, diaper banks, WIC information, and more.
- San Diego Food Bank: Visit sandiegofoodbank.org/gethelp/.
- Feeding San Diego: Visit feedingsandiego.org/need-help/ to find distribution locations.
- Jewish Family Services: Visit jfssd.org for food assistance and other services.
- Community Resource Center: Visit crcncc.org.
- Father Joe’s Villages: Visit my.neighbor.org for information on meals and support.
- Feeding America: Visit feedingamerica.org to find local partner food banks.
- Hand Up Food Pantry: Provides local food distribution, including on most bases in San Diego.
- Coronado Unified Food Drive: Every Monday (except holidays), 3:30-5 pm at Silver Strand and Village Elementary Schools. Open to all children 1-18. Details: coronadousd.net/departments/food-services-student-nutrition/.
Military & Federal Employee Resources
- Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA): Offers food distributions and gift cards for the Commissary. Visit asymca.org/san-diego-home.
- Feeding Heroes (Feeding San Diego): An initiative supporting the military community. Visit feedingsandiego.org/our-initiatives/feeding-heroes/.
- Support The Enlisted Project (STEP): Visit teamstepusa.org or call 858-695-6810.
- Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society: Provides financial assistance. Visit nmcrs.org.
- American Red Cross (Military Families): Provides financial assistance. Call 877-272-7337 or visit redcross.org/get-help/military-families/financial-assistance.html.
- United Service Organization (USO): Offers food assistance, fresh food, and meals. Visit uso.org.
- Navy Federal: Provides assistance for last-minute financial challenges. Visit navyfederal.org.
- Military OneSource: Visit militaryonesource.mil for a wide range of support.
- Fleet and Family Support Centers: Located in military housing units, many have food pickups, financial planners, and other resources.
- Personal Financial Counselors: Available on most military bases.
- Military Times Financial Resources Article: Click here for more financial resources.
Federal Furlough & Shutdown Support
- Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA): Provides information on emergency loans and grants. Visit https://feea.org/shutdown/.
- TSP (Thrift Savings Plan): Furlough-specific TSP information. Visit https://www.tsp.gov/news-and-resources/lapse-in-appropriations/.
- Sample Debtor Letter Template (Word Document): Template – Debtor Letter
- Furlough Letter Information: Be advised, if the lapse in appropriation continues past October 31, 2025, another furlough letter may be required. DCPAS Furlough Resources and Support-10.2025
- DCPAS Furlough Information: Visit https://www.dcpas.osd.mil/policy/compensation/furlough.
- Shutdown Furlough Benefits_fact_sheet_
- MyFedBenefits – Shutdown Assistance Map
- DONCEAP Website Member Account Support Guide
- DON Furlough FAQs
- 2025 FMEAP Emergency & Shutdown Resources
US Navy Specifics
- DON Civilian Benefits Center (CBC): For questions regarding employee benefits.
- Phone: 888-320-2917 (Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET)
- TTY: 866-359-5277
- Email: navybenefits@us.navy.mil (Include full name, pay plan, grade, and phone number).
- Department of the Navy Furlough Information:
Mental & Emotional Wellness
- Mental Health Systems – Courage to Call: Provides support for veterans, military, and families. Also hosts a food distribution on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. Visit courage2call.org.
- The San Diego Access & Crisis Line: Free, confidential support 24/7. Call (888) 724-7240.
- NAMI San Diego: The National Alliance on Mental Illness, San Diego chapter. Visit namisandiego.org.
Pet & Animal Support
We know that pets are family, too. If you’re struggling to feed your animal companions, these local organizations can help.
- San Diego Humane Society (Community Pet Pantry)
- Details: No appointment is needed to pick up dog or cat food and other supplies.
- Locations: El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
- Link: sdhumane.org/services/community-pet-pantry/
- Rancho Coastal Humane Society (Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank)
- Details: Provides supplemental pet food at various distribution sites throughout San Diego County.
- Link: Visit their website for specific locations and hours: rchumanesociety.org/pet-food-bank/
- Helen Woodward Animal Center (AniMeals Program)
- Details: Offers pet food assistance to those in need, including homebound seniors.
- Link: animalcenter.org/programs-services/animeals/
How You Can Help
Raising awareness helps families access resources faster and reminds policymakers that food assistance is essential. Please consider sharing this page on social media or with your community networks to help ensure that no one in San Diego goes hungry during this pause.
If you would like to contribute to our Period Pantry and Diaper Bank, the easiest way to donate is by ordering directly from our Amazon registry using these links:
Our Commitment
The Junior League of San Diego is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. We are in close contact with our community partners to monitor this situation and will continue to share information as it becomes available.