What's at stake?
The Trump Administration on Friday confirmed plans that many had feared, saying his administration either would not or could not legally tap into a $5 billion reserve fund to keep the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alive beyond Oct. 31.
Hundreds of thousands of Fresno County residents, along with millions of Americans nationwide, likely won’t receive critical food assistance as winter approaches and the government shutdown rumbles on with no end in sight.
The Trump Administration on Friday confirmed plans that many had feared, saying his administration either would not or could not legally tap into a $5 billion reserve fund to keep the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alive beyond Oct. 31.
In Fresno County, some 248,000 people rely on CalFresh — the state’s version of SNAP — and won’t receive their benefits on Saturday, Nov. 1. In a statement last week, Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez, a Democrat, said the county could lose out on about $46 million.
Nationally, nearly 42 million Americans — more than 12% of the country — rely on the program to pay for groceries. Bringing down the price of food was one of President Donald Trump’s key campaign promises, but grocery bills have only grown more expensive in 2025.
As thousands of Fresno and Central Valley residents face the possibility of running out of food, Fresnoland has compiled a free list of resources where locals can find help obtaining groceries and other supplies.
Central California Food Bank
Previously called the Community Food Bank, the Central California Food Bank in Fresno is the largest “hunger relief” organization in the central San Joaquin Valley, serving Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties.
The food bank works with local churches and community groups to host food distributions in communities throughout the valley nearly daily. To view a calendar of upcoming food distributions, click here.
Address: 4010 E. Amendola Dr., Fresno (by appointment only); for other distribution locations that don’t require appointments, check the calendar on their website here.
Phone: 559-237-0211
Groceries2Go is a Central California Food Bank Program that distributes food to families in need by appointment, with several locations in Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. Find out if you qualify and how to schedule a pick up time here.
First Fruits Market
Fresno’s first free grocery store is another local food bank program that offers recipients the chance to browse for seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with other highly nutritious food pantry staples three days a week. The market operates on a first-come, first-served basis and, like an old-school deli, shoppers take a number and wait their turn.
Address: City Center Fresno, 2025 E Dakota Ave.
Hours: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Phone: 559-237-3663
Papa Mike’s Café
A no-cost, full-service restaurant serving three “made-to-order meals” for anyone in need in the community. The restaurant, operated by the Poverello House, is open seven days a week.
Address: 412 F St., Fresno
Hours: Check website for latest information here, hours subject to change
Phone: 559-498-6988
Bulldog Pantry
Operated by the Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno, the Bulldog Pantry on the Fresno State campus is a student-run pantry that provides food to students and anyone in the community in need.
Address: 2311 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno
Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Phone: 559-224-9052
Fresno State Student Cupboard
The Amendola Family Student Cupboard is a free food pantry for current Fresno State students, who can pick up a variety of free food and other essential items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and boxed items, dairy and non-dairy products and meat.
Location: Corner of Barstow and Jackson in the Industrial Technology building, room 144
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. & Tuesday, Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ram Pantry
The Ram Pantry is Fresno City College’s free food assistance program for currently enrolled students.
Location: Student Center/Bookstore building
Hours: Open Monday – Thursday; closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Crush Pantry
The Crush Pantry is open on the main Clovis Community College where current students can obtain free items.
Location: Main campus, AC2-173
Hours: Monday, Wed, Thursday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday: 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m.–12 pm
Clovis Community Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is also free to Clovis Community students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community and includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
Location: Campus bookstore, 10309 N Willow Ave., Fresno
Hours: Nov. 20 & Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Maddie’s Food Pantry
Current Madera Community College students can grab free food, fruit, vegetables, snacks and hygiene products.
Location: On campus, R1
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday Hours 9 a.m.-noon (Nov. 7 & 21, Dec. 6)
Tiger Pantry
Currently enrolled Reedley College students can pick up free items from the Tiger Pantry.
Location: Student Center, Room 103
Hours: Monday 9am-noon & 2 -4:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-2pm
Fresno Unified
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fresno Unified distributed thousands of meals to families across the region. Much of that giving spirit lives on at multiple Fresno-area schools, including Addams Elementary School, which has a monthly on-site food pantry that allows families access to groceries, including proteins, canned goods, produce, drinks, bread, and snacks.
The school also partners with the West McKinley Refinery Church bread pantry and food distribution on the weekends. Thomas Elementary School also partners with the Central California Food Bank for monthly food distribution services, a district spokesperson confirmed to Fresnoland.
Fresno EOC
Fresno EOC offers monthly food distributions at various places throughout the county, including in Fresno.
Fresno Metro Ministry
Fresno Metro Ministry has a Food to Share program.
Link for schedule and more information
United Way Resource Locator
Need help locating specific resources? Locals can visit the United Way Fresno-Madera website. There you can find help tracking down everything from free food and housing advice and support to utility assistance and health care questions.
Phone: 2-1-1 (24 hours, multiple languages available)
How to donate
Many of the food distribution-focused agencies above accept donations and have specific procedures for donors that want to contribute either cash or food, including the Central California Food Bank, Poverello House, Ram Pantry, Bulldog Pantry and others.
Some local businesses are also stepping up to help with donations, including Sour Milk in the Tower District’s Van Ness Village.
In an Instagram post Oct. 25, the gift shop shared that they’ll be collecting dry food and monetary donations and will offer discounts to customers who contribute.
Address: 1474 N. Van Ness Ave.
Hours: Open noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday
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