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Kaiser Permanente is supporting local nonprofits as they seek out ways to enroll eligible households in CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The program has seen a surge in applications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kaiser Permanente is awarding $95,000 grants to Family Health Care Network, the Central California Food Bank and Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission to help serve the growing number of people in the community who need food assistance, many of whom have lost their jobs because of Covid-19.

“The need for food assistance has increased sharply in Central California since the start of the pandemic, particularly in underserved communities where people don’t always know where to turn for help,” said Natalie Caples, co-CEO, Central California Food Bank. “Thanks to Kaiser Permanente, Central California Food Bank is able to help families apply for CalFresh so they can receive the food assistance they urgently need.”

Family Health Care Network in Kings and Tulare counties will use the grant to expand the CalFresh program to low-income populations by educating, screening and enrolling them in CalFresh. They expect to expand their outreach efforts by training more staff. They will attend community events both in person and virtually to reach at least 4,000 individuals and provide them with eligibility information and enrollment assistance.

The Central California Food Bank will provide targeted CalFresh outreach and application assistance to the underserved, including low-income families, seniors, farmworkers and college students. With the grant, they expect to assist 560 households with application assistance. They will also work with other community partners to refer clients who may be eligible for CalFresh.

The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission plans on engaging 9,300 low-income and vulnerable families and individuals, agricultural workers, essential workers and seniors with CalFresh application assistance at health events and COVID-19 testing events. Using a new mobile unit, the Fresno EOC will provide outreach and enrollment materials in several locations. They hope to host at least 30 outreach events aligned with food giveaways.