‘A measurable reduction': CAPK, Kern County partners brace for inevitable cuts in food distribution
As governments at both the state and federal levels work to cut back on spending, advocates are saying it's the most vulnerable — those relying on various social services and programs — that are paying the price.
Kern County organizations are gearing up for what's to come — more people to serve, with less resources. That was the focus of the Community Action Partnership of Kern — or CAPK's — Annual Partner Conference Friday morning.
That's what CAPK said we can be seeing much more of in the coming months, a stark contrast to their typically very well-stocked food warehouse in east Bakersfield.
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'There will be a measurable reduction in the amount of resources that come into the warehouse that we are able to redistribute to the county,' said food bank administrator Kelly Lowery.
CAPK acts as the middleman in food distribution — both receiving food, as well as grants to purchase more food from federal and state resources.
Then, CAPK distributes the goods to its 150 local partners.
Right now for CAPK, the shelves are full enough to distribute $2 million pounds of food monthly.
No one knows for how long though.
'There's going to be maybe a reduction in the amount of resources that we are able to provide each family,' said Lowery.
This is a result of federal and state funding cuts to various food assistance programs — like The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP funds) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, known as CalFresh in California.
Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers an Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Lowery says already, 13 loads from the USDA — so, 3.5 million pounds of food — were cancelled.
'[With all the cuts so far], we're looking at probably a reduction of the equivalent amount of about $6 million worth of food on an annual basis in reduction,' Lowery noted.
Lowery said the need is growing, while the supply is diminishing.
He explained that lines outside food banks are twice as long as they were two years ago.
In January 2023, CAPK partners — so local food pantries and nonprofits — distributed food about 92,000 times.
That number surged to 220,000 now.
'It's against that backdrop that now we're also facing a reduction of resources to be able provide those families,' Lowery said.
'It's a fearful thing for a family, for a mom and dad not to be able to feed their kids,' said Pastor Connie Totten with New Life Church, which has been partnering with CAPK for three decades.
Totten — the leader of one of CAPK's biggest partners — said the church serves up to 5,000 people monthly.
The church offers both a drive thru food distribution program, as well as a pantry, from which families can choose what to take.
'How can we stretch this a little more so that no one walks away with nothing?' added Gilbert LaRoque, director of Bakersfield Recovery Services, which has partnered with CAPK since the pandemic.
'The 93305 areas is one of the most food insecure areas that we have,' LaRoque added, noting that he serves up to 500 families monthly.
These organizations added that not knowing how long all of this will last only adds to their concerns.
Lowery detailed that while CAPK won't be cutting any distribution sites, the organization and its partners would feel the reduction in funding firsthand.
'It produces downward pressure on what is the safety net of all social programs, and that's the food banks,' Lowery stated during his presentation the conference.
'When SNAP benefits are cut, it means our lines are going to get even longer,' Lowery said.
Despite greater responsibility falling on the shoulders of providers, these organizations also don't have what it takes to give more.
CAPK — already understaffed, according to Lowery — is now set to be underfunded.
As many echoed during the conference, this is already a tough field to be in.
'In order to serve the people that I serve, I rely on the food bank and CalFresh,' said Pastor Connie Totten.
Lowery put pressure on state legislators especially for the Cal Foods program, which served as a crucial provider for food banks in recent years.
About $60 million in funding was allocated among California's 41 food banks.
Amid the state's budget deficit, funding is set to drop to $8 million.
Lowery emphasized that either sustaining or increasing Cal Food would be the bare minimum — current funding is already not enough.
Different groups will take different avenues, as they navigate new terrain.
'Instead of all of the people getting some of the food, some of the people getting all of the food,' is what Captain Gina Noble of the Ridgecrest Salvation Army proposed.
Noble noted that the organization, which serves a food desert area, values fostering deep relationships with the families they assist.
'It's not a time to have fear. It's a time to be fierce,' Noble said with determination. 'If you don't have as much to give, make sure it's nutrient rich.'
Meantime, CAPK shared that it's received a $1 million grant from the county, dedicated to purchasing food for the unincorporated areas of Kern County.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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