Lake County Unites Proactively Against Hunger

Director Dillman Parsons and Tom Joseph from Paragon Government Relations, a federal lobbying firm representing local governments, briefed the Board on the unfolding CalFresh delays. Lawsuits challenged the USDA’s administration of benefits, and aid was not issued until funding and instructions were released to states. Partial releases would have required system reprogramming, causing further delays. USDA had warned recipients would receive only about 50% of typical benefits, and new enrollments were paused. Director Dillman Parsons noted that local spending would not have been reimbursed, and FEMA, CalOES, and the Red Cross were unable to provide relief. Director Dillman Parsons reassured the public and the county acted quickly to ensure residents had food access.

Director Dillman Parsons shared CalFresh demographics for Lake County’s 16,320 recipients:

1. 46% are children

2. 18% are elderly

3. 4% have disabilities

By location:

1. 44% are in Clearlake

2. 13% in Lakeport

3. 12% in Kelseyville

4. 7% in Clearlake oaks

5. 5% countywide

She emphasized, “The idea was not to replace benefits, but to assist [with food access]. If a disaster was declared, Realignment Funds could have been used for care and shelter.”

District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier shared that some Lake County Continuum of Care (LCCoC) funding is set aside for rent assistance, and he explored whether it could have legally supported hunger relief.

To help residents who may use housing funds to buy food, Director Dillman Parsons outlined DSS programs:

• The Family Stabilization Program for Welfare to Work family participants.

• HomeSafe for elderly and dependent adults.

• CalWORKs offers $13 for prescribed diets and $100 for verified pregnancy.

• Additional resources:

1. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) remained federally supported through December 31st.

2. DSS’s verified resource list on Facebook and at food banks

3. DSS staff assisted food distribution at Clear Lake Gleaners, Lake County’s official food bank. Efforts to expedite food delivery are always a priority.

With 17 school days closed in November, ensuring children’s meal access was critical.

Director Dillman Parsons also thanked the incredible generosity of community contributions, including motorcycle crews delivering over 1,000 turkeys to Clear Lake Gleaners:

1. Freedom Riders MC

2. The Good Ol’ Boys MC Lake Crew

3. Wino’s Crew MC

4. Priesthood

5. The 20 Boys

6. Ghost of Freedom

DSS has also compiled a list of free Thanksgiving dinners on its Facebook page, which includes, but not limited to:

1. Twin Pine Casino in Middletown

2. Solano Women in Medicine (SWIM)

3. Moose Lodge

4. Middletown Methodist Church

“We’re working with nonprofits to help channel for-profit donations to food banks,” Director Dillman Parsons said. Those able to give can donate at lakeccf.org.

Building on this generosity and concern for residents, Vice Chair Rasmussen and Supervisor Pyska proposed $80,000 in emergency funding to launch a two-week hunger relief effort during CalFresh delays, aiming to meet weekly needs in a dynamic situation. Director Dillman Parsons emphasized fiscal responsibility:

1. Support existing service groups, limited to food only.

2. Prioritize CalFresh recipients, delivering meals to elderly and residents with disabilities.

3. Stock ready-to-eat meals and pantry goods at DSS, Peer Support Centers and Behavioral Health Services (BHS) sites.

To finalize logistics, Director Dillman Parsons requested an ad hoc work group, with potential stakeholders:

1. Public Health

2. County Administration

3. BHS

4. North Coast Opportunities (NCO)

5. Schools

6. Education

7. Grocery stores

8. CalFresh program manager Tera Gandolfo

Supervisor Pyska thanked Director Dillman Parsons for her leadership, echoed by community partners. Elizabeth Larson, journalist and Kelseyville Presbyterian Church commission pastor, praised Director Dillman Parsons’s proactive leadership, noting her church is ready to assist with meal preparation.

Angela Amaral from East Regional Town Hall (ERTH) said non-perishable items can be dropped off at the Moose Lodge, with frozen items and monetary gifts accepted through Helping Hands at Clear Lake Peer Support Center.

Pastor Shannon Kimbell-Auth highlighted A Simple Gesture’s countywide network; volunteers can donate food or help with deliveries. Middletown’s Methodist Church offers free dinners Mondays and Thursdays. Those able to give can donate here.

Watch the Board presentation here.