An estimated 5 million Californians are at risk of losing federally-funded food benefits through CalFresh, the state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The federal government shutdown, now in its 28th day, brings families who rely on CalFresh one day closer to losing what, for many, is their only source of food. Current funding for CalFresh benefits run out on Saturday, according to the Department of Social Services.

Madeline Shannon

The Center Square

“Our families are going to go hungry,” Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, told The Center Square. “(Democrats) are saying, ‘It’s finally worth it to let families starve,’ when we’ve got to create a cohesive plan that figures out compromise in the state because families depend on their action.

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