Thousands of Pasadena residents who rely on CalFresh food assistance remain in limbo as federal court rulings issued Oct. 31 have yet to translate into restored benefits, leaving local families vulnerable amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to reinstate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—known as CalFresh in California—but state officials say logistical and funding delays mean Pasadena recipients may not see aid until mid-November at the earliest.
The distribution process involves multiple technical steps. States must transmit benefit data to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendors, who then load funds onto individual cards. According to the Associated Press, this process typically takes one to two weeks under normal conditions.
Pasadena is home to thousands of CalFresh recipients who are among the 1.5 million Los Angeles County residents affected by the benefit suspension. October benefits were distributed as scheduled, but November payments are delayed starting November 1.
Pasadena city officials are urging residents to take advantage of updated food assistance resources, including local food pantries, meal distribution sites, and donation programs, as part of a broader effort to support those experiencing food insecurity and to mobilize community contributions.
A full listing of Pasadena-area food pantries and meal sites is published at the bottom of this article.
Additional resources include:
- LA Regional Food Bank Pantry Locator: Allows users to enter their address to find nearby food pantries. https://www.lafoodbank.org/
find-food/pantry-locator - Pasadena Public Health Department – WIC Community Referrals: Offers food bank and nutrition assistance information for women, infants, and children. https://www.cityofpasadena.
net/public-health/wic/ community-referrals - Pasadena Food Recovery Organizations: A directory of services that accept edible food donations. Donors are encouraged to verify acceptance policies with each organization. The city’s website notes that Lincoln Avenue Christian Church is currently missing from the list. https://www.cityofpasadena.
net/public-works/recycling- resources/organics-recycling/ sb-1383-food-donation/#local- food-recovery-organizations
Pasadena and the surrounding area are home to many food recovery organizations and services. Businesses are encouraged to donate surplus edible food locally or to recovery organizations in neighboring cities.
The city also recommends using donor matching tools to facilitate contributions, including those listed by CalRecycle: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/
Volunteer opportunities are available through many of the listed organizations, and residents interested in contributing time or resources are encouraged to reach out directly.
City officials noted that all information is subject to change and should be verified with the respective organizations.
For a list of Pasadena area food banks clickable links see here: https://pasadenanow.com/main/
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