As the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Californians could soon be impacted by cuts to food assistance and food banks are expected to see an influx of demand.

As the government shutdown continues, organizations across California are stepping up to fill the need for food in the Central Valley.

Executives at Bay Area food banks expressed concern that the presence of uniformed federal troops at food-distribution sites could scare off people in need of help.

In an effort to mitigate the effect of the shutdown in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that the California National Guard and California Volunteers will be deployed to food banks

Governor Newsom mobilizes the California National Guard and California Volunteers to aid food banks during the federal government shutdown, ensuring SNAP benefits delays do not cause food insecurity.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - California Governor Gavin Newsom is rolling out a new plan to help keep millions of Californians from going hungry. The move includes deploying the California National Guard across the state to support food banks as the government shutdown continues.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will deploy the National Guard to support food banks because of expected delays to federal food assistance amid the government shutdown.

“Today, Governor Newsom deployed the California National Guard and California Service Corps on a humanitarian mission to protect Californian families and kids from going hungry,” said GO-SERVE Director and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “At a time when DC is shut down, we are stepping up.”

Bay Area food banks and local governments are bracing for a potential surge in hunger if the partial federal government shutdown stretches into November and funding for a key safety net program runs dry.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also vowed to fast-track up to $80 million in state funding for food banks, as millions are at risk of stalled food stamp payments due to the federal shutdown.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he will be deploying state National Guard members as well as California Volunteers to help staff food banks amid the ongoing government shutdown.

California is the latest state to sound the alarm as over five million SNAP recipients are at risk of not receiving benefits beginning as soon as November 1, as Capitol Hill remains at a standstill.