With government food benefits still blocked for many of the 42 million Americans on SNAP, GRIP got an emergency injection of $10,000 from Chevron Richmond to help address the food scarcity emergency facing the West County region.
“The Chevron Richmond Refinery’s generosity comes at a critical time, enabling GRIP to keep shelves stocked while demand surges, as well as deliver food directly to families and elders who would otherwise go without,” said GRIP Executive Director Ralph Payton. “Their support reminds our community that compassion still has corporate allies.”
On Friday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the USDA to use emergency funds to continue the full SNAP program, and the agency announced plans to comply.
Then Tuesday, in apparent defiance of court orders, Mr. Trump said on Truth Social that SNAP benefits will only get paid after the government shutdown ends.
Later that same day, however, the White House claimed states will receive at least partial benefits. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt walked back Trump’s bombastic post, adding that SNAP recipients, “…need to understand it’s going to take some time to receive this money,”
As families using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, run out of food and run out of money in November, more people are going hungry. The refusal to fully fund SNAP benefits comes on top of other administrative actions hampering efforts to help people.
“We’ve been stretched thin in recent months as the federal situation with ICE has left many undocumented individuals too afraid to seek on-site services,” Payton said. “As a result, we’ve been taking food directly to encampments across Richmond — often to families and elders who would otherwise go without.”
Meanwhile, Inflation continues to challenge food banks and soup kitchens. GRIP’s monthly food costs are now upwards of $9,000 and a surge in demand is expected this month.
Chevron’s overall local efforts include $50,000 total donated to the Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC)’s Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center, Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM), Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), the Multicultural Institute of Richmond, and the Contra Costa College (CCC)’s Food Pantry.
“Supporting our community is part of our company’s values. We are integral to this region, and our partners are just as integral to the communities they serve. We are proud to invest in the impactful work they are doing,” said Tolly Graves, Chevron Richmond Refinery Director in a press release.
Supervisor John Gioia said “The only way we can meet the food and nutrition needs of our residents is through a public-private partnership. That’s why we appreciate Chevron’s support of Richmond community organizations that are helping feed our most vulnerable residents, especially children and seniors. This support is aligned with Contra Costa County’s action to provide grocery debit cards to families whose Federal food benefits have been cut off.”
If other corporations and individuals would like to help get food to local residents who are struggling, making a direct and immediate difference in the lives of our neighbors, please donate here, or by calling GRIP at (510) 233-2141.
