This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund .
Over the next 12 months, about 5,400 people in Santa Barbara County are at risk of losing access to the largest food assistance program in the country. On Monday, the federal government expanded the work requirements for able-bodied people to enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. But county nonprofits and charities are working to help feed people impacted by the change, as well as what several say is a growing need in the wider community.
SNAP, called CalFresh in California, helps low-income people afford groceries. In Santa Barbara County, more than 55,000 people receive the help — assistance that pencils out to single-digit dollar support per person per day. Just under 40 percent of recipients are minors. About 62 percent of recipients were dual-enrolled in Medi-Cal, as of January.