www.montereycountynow.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Here in the United States of America in the 21st century, more than 50 million of your friends and coworkers and neighbors rely on food banks and food pantries to get enough to eat. That is the problem that we could be focused on. Instead, President Donald Trump is obsessed with withholding government food aid (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, or CalFresh in California) from millions of Americans, thereby increasing the pressure on charitable organizations to feed Americans. It would be easy for me to focus on the inhumanness of Trump’s mindset, but I’m interested in a much more positive story. Local people, businesses and governments are stepping up where our federal officials are abdicating responsibility. While the SNAP kerfuffle may be resolved by the time this issue hits newsstands—court decisions and congressional votes on reopening the federal government are an ever-moving target—there are humane responses here in Monterey County to this crisis that was created by politicians. Sand City officials decided not to wait for policymakers or the courts to decide what to do about funding SNAP—they decided on Nov. 4 to do it themselves, approving $10,000 for an emergency food security grant program for Sand City residents. (It’s unknown how many people in Sand City qualify; countywide, about 51,000 people. 29,000 of them children, are SNAP recipients.) On Nov. 4, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved giving $150,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County. In Marina on the same day, City Manager Layne Long announced that the City would make a mid-year allocation of $10,000 to the Food Bank, at the request of Councilmember Jenny McAdams. Long said another five cities would match that amount. “My heart is really aching for our community, and this felt like a meaningful step we could take right now,” McAdams says. “It’s not much, but it’s something. I’m hoping it will motivate those who can to give. People are stepping up and helping however they can.” McAdams adds that monetary donations, even in small amounts, go further than donating your miscellaneous pantry leftovers—nonprofits like the Food Bank for Monterey County and All-In Monterey County have a well-established distribution network. (Besides, if you don’t want that questionably too-old can of corn, do you really think a stranger does?) Businesses are also contributing where they can. In Pacific Grove, Pavel’s Backerei has been offering free loaves of bread to SNAP beneficiaries and federal workers going without a paycheck; in Monterey, Ad Astra Bread Co. announced free loaves of bread for SNAP beneficiaries starting on Nov. 12. Salinas City Barbeque is offering free meals for children who are impacted, “no questions asked, no strings attached.” Those are food purveyors, but even a cannabis company, Grupo Flor, is launching a program called Eat Better Together (EBT—get it?) on Friday, Nov. 14, distributing free bags of groceries to up to 300 families. Nonprofit Everyone’s Harvest, which operates multiple farmers markets, kept honoring its Market Match program, giving CalFresh cardholders up to $30 toward fresh groceries—even if those cards had a zero balance—from Nov. 1 to Nov. 13. (Cards should be replenished on Nov. 14.) Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is offering grab-and-go meals for free to anyone with a SNAP card. “We know many people are feeling the impact of rising food costs and uncertainty about future benefits, and we want to make sure no one in our community goes hungry,” an announcement read. Yes, this is 21st-century America and yes we are relying on nonprofits and businesses and individuals to step up to feed our community. The good news is that they are doing it. It just so happens that Nov. 13 also marks the launch of Monterey County Gives!, a year-end fundraising campaign in which the Monterey County Weekly is a partner. Many of the organizations that feed people day in and day out are participating. They need your help all the time, and especially now, while the federal government cannot be relied upon to keep Americans from going hungry. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com or follow her at @sarahayleyrubin.bsky.social. Eat the Rich As the federal government plays with hunger, locals step up. By Sara Rubin CHEAP SEATS…Squid applauds the hope that springs eternal in a human sports fan’s breast. But Squid is also wary of overconfidence. In the food chain that is the sea, Squid is well aware of the pitfalls when a sea creature scoffs at natural selection. Before the start of the team’s fourth season in soccer’s USL Championship, the powers that be promised a 20-percent refund to the club’s season ticket holders should Monterey Bay FC fail to make the playoffs. Squad members were even more certain. “Playoffs are the minimum,” said midfielder Adrian Rebollar in March. Defender Jacob Muir agreed, calling the post-season “non-negotiable.” MBFC did not qualify for the playoffs. In fact, the club has still never finished a season better than 11th place in the 12-team Western Conference. MBFC is honoring its promise to fans, giving them options including a refund or a credit applied to 2026 tickets. After all, next year could be the year. The team improved in the loss column—by one (16 in 2024, followed by 15 this season). And team management remains committed to the goal, promising Squid’s colleague that “exciting times” are ahead. The hope remains. But the generous spirit may have fallen prey to sports reality. Squid hears that there are no plans—at least for now—to offer a similar refund deal for next season. LEGENDS OF SQUID…In the sea, there are no monuments to sea creatures—nothing lasts for very long in Squid’s lair. But humans seem to be obsessed with memorializing themselves. Squid has tried to cross the species divide, nominating Squidself for recognition with the Seaside Stars initiative, to no avail (so far). Now Salinas is getting in on the back-patting action with Salinas City Center Improvement Association launching the Salinas Legends Walk of Fame, “a public tribute showcasing the diverse contributions of Salinas residents, past and present, who have shaped the city’s culture, economy, and community spirit.” There are 10 potential categories listed: agricultural and farming pioneers, civic leaders and changemakers, business and entrepreneurship icons, arts and culture trailblazers, sports and athletic achievements, educators and innovators, culinary stars, historic figures and storytellers, community heroes and first responders, and local legends and wildcards. It’s that final category that makes Squid think Squid has a chance (the example in the storyteller category is “authors like John Steinbeck”—Squid sees the bar being set and Squid does not attempt to jump that high). The wildcard category includes “unique, beloved or quirky figures.” So consider this the official launch of Squid’s campaign for permanence: You too can nominate Squid for the quirky recognition Squid has long deserved. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “It’s not much, but it’s something.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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