City of Riverside Allocates $100,000 for Low-Income Families and Federal Employees with Food Insecurity

Published: 11/4/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Nov. 4, 2025

Contact:

Phil Pitchford

Public Information Officer

951-826-5975

[email protected]

City of Riverside Allocates $100,000 for Seniors, Low-Income Families, Disabled People and Federal Employees with Food Insecurity Caused by Federal Shutdown

Agreement with Salvation Army will require recipients to prove eligibility, residency

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The Riverside City Council voted unanimously today (11/4) to allocate $100,000 in assistance to Riverside residents who may be experiencing food insecurity because of the federal government shutdown. The agreement with the Salvation Army will ensure recipients are eligible for the program and reside in the city.

The need arose because the shutdown means only partial payments are expected to be made this month to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The reallocation of funds in the City is designed to stabilize households facing temporary income disruptions and ensure that essential food resources remain available.

In Riverside, SNAP helps feed 46,649 people, including 16,100 ages 17 and under; 21,627 between ages 18-59; and 8,922 ages 60 and up.

"From low-income residents to members of our military, there are suddenly thousands of Riverside residents who now are in danger of going hungry," Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Conder said. "This program is designed to supplement their nutritional needs until a broader solution can be worked out at the federal level."

The $100,000 will be reallocated from the Senior Supplemental Rental Assistance Program, which currently has a balance of more than $525,000. The shift is not expected to affect seniors who need rental assistance because necessary funds are available in similar programs, such the City's HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program - Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program.

The City will work with the Salvation Army Emergency Food Access Program to aid Riverside residents who are participants in SNAP and to federal employees financially impacted by the federal government shutdown. An estimated 500-700 households are expected to receive help.

The program was formulated quickly by the Department of Housing and Human Services, with assistance from several other City departments. Because of the emerging need, the City Council first had to vote to waive the city's Sunshine Ordinance to allow the item to be discussed today.

The Salvation Army will verify that food assistance is provided only to Riverside residents by requiring proof of residency, such as a driver's license, housing lease or utility bill. People already receiving SNAP will be required to show a current SNAP beneficiary letter. Federal employees must show a federal or military identification card.

Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) already has assistance programs to help people struggling with utility bills. The Sharing Households Assist Riverside Energy (SHARE) Program provides income-qualified monthly bill credits and emergency assistance to people facing a potential utilities disconnection. Customers also may be able to establish a repayment plan to repay outstanding balances over 12 months or receive a one-time short-term payment extension based on their needs.

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