As the government shutdown continues, millions of Americans may not know where their next meal is coming from due to the delay of their SNAP benefits. With the government in limbo, local restaurants and food banks have stepped up to provide free meals and food for those affected by the SNAP delays. Here are six restaurants and food pantries ready to provide for those in need in the Monterey area.
ALL-IN Monterey County
If you are looking for fresh produce or cooking ingredients, the ALL-IN Monterey County food pantry is a great option. Located at Seaside High School, 2200 Noche Buena St. (enter from Noche Buena and follow the signs). Offering fresh produce, canned food staples, sources of protein and more, they function as a first-come, first-served resource. Every Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. until supplies are gone. This is a drive-up food bank, so if you or a friend has a car, you can pull in and have a box of groceries loaded up for you.
Sabu Shake Center
Located in Sand City, the Good Samaritan Center at 800 Scott St. provides daily meals and other essentials. Hot meals are served at 10:30 a.m. along with food boxes that are available from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center also offers other services such as showers, laundry and mailboxes if you or family members off campus are in need of those resources.
Shoreline Church
Located at 2500 Garden Road in Monterey, Shoreline Church operates one of the county’s busiest food pantries, serving over 12,000 households throughout the year. They are partnered with the Monterey County Food Bank and offer free food and clothing to anyone in need. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m., they provide essentials like canned goods, rice, beans and even snacks.
Dorothy’s Place – Dorothy’s Kitchen
Dorothy’s Place is a local hospitality center that works to provide resources to underserved communities in Monterey County, mostly focused on providing relief for homeless individuals. Out of this location, Dorothy’s Kitchen (located in Salinas on 30 Soledad St.) is a food pantry offering free meals such as hot breakfast, lunch and emergency food boxes for those in need. Each meal is made fresh in commercial kitchens with ingredients sourced from local ranchers and farmers.
Cochi’s Kitchen
Located in Morgan Hill on 435 Vineyard Blvd., Cochi’s Kitchen serves sandwiches, breakfast burritos and baked goods. Through November, they are offering one free meal for kids under the age of 12 with a parent or guardian possessing a valid SNAP card. “We believe that everyone deserves access to fresh, homemade food—especially families doing their best to make ends meet,” said Emanuel Vasquez, chef and owner of Cochi’s Kitchen in a press release.
Cruise Coffee Cafe
Cruise Coffee Cafe is a coffee shop and bakery located at 246 Kings Village Road in Scotts Valley. Though a bit of a drive from campus, it’s a great option for commuter students or local families who live closer to the valley.
The coffee shop is not only offering breakfast staples such as bagels and breakfast burritos, but also sandwiches and pizza to children and families who have been affected by the SNAP cuts.“We also are a full bakery, so it’s easy enough for me to make fresh bagels, flour, salt, water. Love. That’s all it takes,” said owner Erin Buchla in a recent interview with KSBW.