Government Shutdown 2025: How to Help Your Affected Neighbors

Published On: October 29th, 2025By Categories: Must Read5.3 min read

The federal government has been shut down since October 1. With federal employees missing paychecks and critical nutrition benefits at risk, your support is more crucial than ever. Supporting Feeding San Diego is one way you can help your neighbors affected by the government shutdown 2025.

A man with two young girls and a wagon of food received at a Feeding San Diego distribution

Christian, who serves in the Navy, receives food for his family of four at a Feeding San Diego and Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) food distribution for those affected by the shutdown.

Who Does the Government Shutdown 2025 Affect?

In San Diego County, there are over 47,000 federal workers and 110,000 military personnel. With the government still closed, they face missed paychecks and growing uncertainty about whether or not they will be paid. In addition, the federal government shutdown has put critical funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as CalFresh, at risk. That means starting November 1, nearly 400,000 individuals in San Diego County who rely on these benefits will no longer receive their primary source of groceries.

This situation will create an urgent hunger crisis for anyone receiving CalFresh benefits, including:

  • working families,
  • veterans,
  • seniors,
  • students,
  • unhoused individuals,
  • individuals with disabilities,
  • and others.

Many of our neighbors who rely on CalFresh benefits are already stretched thin by the cost of living. With benefits delayed in November, they will be turning to organizations like Feeding San Diego to provide the groceries they can no longer afford.

We met Cliff at the Feeding San Diego Marketplace. He learned about the Marketplace on the news and used public transportation to travel from Downtown to Sorrento Valley for the free groceries.

A man with white hair stands with a cart of food in the Feeding San Diego Marketplace

Cliff, a disabled individual who visited the Feeding San Diego Marketplace for the first time

“I’m disabled. I was mutilated in a horrible motorcycle accident, and I’ve been on Social Security since I was 45,” he shared. “I’m 53 now, and the Social Security money that they give me really just pays my rent. So, everything else I have to acquire myself. Not being able to work is really difficult.”

Responding to the Increased Need

For Cliff, his CalFresh benefits mean being able to purchase groceries for himself. Losing his benefits means relying on resources like Feding San Diego.

“I am on CalFresh. It helps with nutrition, to keep me fed, so I don’t have to keep going to food chow lines, and I can prepare the food myself,” he explained. “Now that they’re saying my food stamps aren’t coming for November. And if they get cut off, that’s $3,000 a year that’s no longer available to me. I think now that my food stamps are going to be cut off, I’m going to have to be back in the lines.”

Not long after the shutdown began, the lines at our food distributions lengthened. Our partners who distribute food to the community started to request more food. In just 11 days, Feeding San Diego distributed over 75,000 pounds of food more than usual (the equivalent of 62,500 meals), expanded the hours of the Feeding San Diego Marketplace, boosted supplies to our partners, and added emergency pop-up distributions across the county to respond.

However, with the potential for an additional 400,000 people to turn to our services, we need support from our community to address this hunger crisis.

A smiling woman and a young girl holding fresh produce

Victoria, a military spouse, and her daughter at a Feeding San Diego and STEP distribution

How You Can Help

There are many ways to help your community during the shutdown.

Donate Funds

The most impactful thing you can do to support your neighbors during the government shutdown 2025 is to donate. Because of our food rescue model, every dollar donated to Feeding San Diego helps provide two meals to San Diegans in need of food assistance. Right now, that impact doubles.

An anonymous donor has stepped forward to match all donations to Feeding San Diego up to $250,000. That means your gift today will provide twice as many nutritious meals for neighbors who suddenly find themselves without support. Every dollar counts in this urgent situation!

For those who already donate to Feeding San Diego, making an additional contribution or upgrading your existing monthly donation will make a significant difference as we navigate this emergency.

Start a Fundraiser

Another way to get involved is to start a GoFundMe fundraiser for Feeding San Diego. Set a fundraising goal, share with friends and family, and help provide more meals to your neighbors during this difficult time.

Donate Time

Volunteering your time is an excellent way to support Feeding San Diego. In addition to our regular distributions and food sorting shifts, we are organizing pop-up distributions in the community to provide extra food where it is needed. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about the options available.

Donate Food

Feeding San Diego also accepts food donations from the community. Food businesses or farms can partner with us to donate or become a food rescue partner.

Individuals can also organize food drives to support our mission. It is important to note that buying a single can of food at the grocery store typically costs more than a dollar. Our partnerships and food rescue model mean that every dollar you donate to Feeding San Diego helps provide enough food for two meals. However, whether you decide to start a physical or virtual food drive, your support will make a difference to your neighbors affected by the government shutdown.

Spread the Word

When emergencies like this extended shutdown occur, it takes all of us working together as a community to deal with them. One way you can help is by spreading the word about how Feeding San Diego is responding and what others can do to help. So, get the word out! Share this blog post, start a fundraiser, post on social media, or find other ways to let your friends and family know how to get involved.

Take Action to Help Your Community

Access to food is a critical resource in emergencies. We need your help to continue providing nutritious food to our community. However you get involved, know that you are making a difference. As Cliff said to us at the Marketplace, “Only good comes from doing good.”

If you or someone you know needs food, please use our Find Food Map to find a food distribution near you.