Riverside County voters have until 8 p.m. today to cast ballots on Proposition 50, the congressional redistricting measure, at 55 vote centers, 96 drop boxes or by mail.
The Salvation Army Riverside Corps Resource Center on First St., which will serve as the distribution site for the city's new $100,000 emergency food assistance program approved Tuesday for residents affected by the federal government shutdown. (Justin Pardee)
The City Council unanimously approved an emergency $100,000 food assistance program Tuesday to help residents affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The funding comes from a reallocation of the city's Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program to partner with the Salvation Army for immediate food distribution.
The program targets the city's 46,649 households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which lapsed Saturday, Nov. 1. The funding can assist approximately 500 to 700 households at an estimated cost of $143 to $200 per household, depending on family size.
"Many households, including our seniors and low-income individuals, are experiencing financial hardship due to the delay or loss of federal benefits," said Michelle Davis, director of the city's Housing and Human Services Department. "Notably, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP benefits, lapsed on Saturday, Nov. 1, leaving many vulnerable households without critical food support."
The city's SNAP recipients represent 13% of all SNAP recipients in Riverside County. The breakdown includes 16,100 children ages 0 to 17, 21,627 adults ages 18 to 59, and 8,922 seniors 60 and older.
Council members waived the city's sunshine ordinance to fast-track the emergency funding, allowing the item to be heard without the typical advance notice requirements. Councilmembers Cervantes, Mill and Perry requested the emergency addition to the agenda.
The program requires eligibility verification including city residency confirmed through an identification card, a lease or a utility bill. SNAP participants must provide a current beneficiary letter, while federal employees need federal or military identification.
The city selected the Salvation Army as its partner after reviewing several community-based organizations. Staff determined the organization is uniquely positioned to meet immediate needs with its existing emergency food program in downtown Riverside.
"They already operate a robust emergency food program in downtown Riverside with established storage, distribution and volunteer systems capable of scaling up quickly," Davis said. "Their existing partnerships with Feeding America and proven experience managing federal and locally funded food programs make them an ideal partner."
The reallocation comes from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program.
"The proposed reallocation of $100,000 will not impact the program because the six seniors who would have been assisted through this program can instead be assisted through our Home Investment Partnerships Program Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program," Davis explained. The city maintains separate funding to ensure those six seniors will still receive rental assistance.
Given the emergency nature of the situation, the city waived its competitive procurement process to expedite food distribution to affected households.
Councilmember Cervantes, participating remotely, praised the rapid response.
"This is how, as it's been said, we can make a difference as a local government," Cervantes said. "As a mother who has personally used WIC and SNAP in the past, when I've needed that, it is life saving."
City Council will consider reallocating $100,000 for emergency food assistance due to federal shutdown impacts, review a Downtown valet parking pilot, and consider partnership with a South Korean EV company seeking to open in Riverside.
City Council will review a River District feasibility study for Santa Ana River improvements and PFAS water treatment upgrades requiring customer surcharges starting at $1-4 monthly in 2026.
