For many weeks in late October and early November 2025, SNAP recipients in our county – and across the nation – were subjected to a cruel whiplash of rulings and appeals which created confusion and anxiety. Marin County saw a substantial increase in traffic to food banks and local food pantries, and nonprofit organizations were stretched thin as they worked around the clock to get food distributed.

MCF quickly established the Food on Every Table fund to enable a rapid response to an urgent need. We seeded it with $500,000 and a further $1 million was raised through generous donors and community members. In addition to the fundraising, we began to work closely with the County of Marin and local food partners (SF/Marin Food Bank, ExtraFood.org and Agricultural Institute of Marin) to determine how best and most quickly we move the funding to reduce or eliminate any gaps in coverage. It was an unprecedented situation and all involved were working in an environment that changed daily through federal court rulings and federal appeals. In early November we made two grants of $50,000 each to ExtraFood.org , and to Agricultural Institute of Marin - support which was critical in enabling an expanded distribution effort for the short-term.

On November 10, we subsequently learned from our County partners that the federal funds for SNAP beneficiaries were finally transferred in full, for the month of November. This was a huge relief for thousands of our neighbors. We want to assure all those who provided support that the contributions made to this fund will continue to be deployed for the purpose intended: to ensure our neighbors have continued access to the food they need and deserve.

The belated restoration of funds owed to SNAP recipients is only one piece of why Marin residents are at risk of hunger. There is a very real concern that the situation could arise again next month, or early next year when the current short-term government funding measure expires. Federal budget cuts from HR1 also will reduce eligibility and benefits as they roll out, particularly impacting older adults. Beyond that, even in the best of times, SNAP benefits only reach a portion of Marin residents who need food. Bottom line: the food security crisis is only going to escalate, and we need to be prepared to respond, urgently and effectively.

We are continuing to collaborate daily with the County and with our network of food nonprofits to ensure that current food needs are being met. We are also working to establish a protocol to institute when interruptions to benefits occur and a large-scale response is necessary. We are identifying efficient ways to provide direct assistance to recipients if they are again endangered, as well as bolstering capacity and distribution systems with food pantries and community organizations. And, importantly, we’re using this moment in time as an opportunity to try and set a new direction for the procurement and distribution of food in Marin County to ensure that no person faces hunger.

This work will be funded by the contributions raised to date and we will continue to update this page as news comes to hand. With food assistance remaining at high levels as the holiday approaches, we're implementing another round of grants on November 11, the details of which appear below. 

We are approaching this effort with short, medium and long-term views. We are anticipating further instability in both SNAP benefits and the food system as a whole, so this funding has been critical in allowing a strategic response. Our commitment is to be transparent about the use of the funds that were raised and we will continue to refresh this page regularly. Our focus, as always, is on the health and safety of our community members. We have nothing but gratitude for your support and your flexibility.

While the immediate emergency with SNAP funding has abated, if you're interested in supporting MCF's ongoing work in ensuring food security throughout Marin County, your donation is always appreciated!