California National Guard and Operation Feed California Deployment Increased as California Volunteers Continues Support at Food Banks Throughout the State

For Immediate Release
January 14, 2021
Contact California Volunteers: Cristina Valdivia Aguilar, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, (916) 508-9018
Contact California National Guard: Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, (916) 854-3391

California National Guard and Operation Feed California Deployment Increased as California Volunteers Continues Support at Food Banks Throughout the State

Californians urged to join the #CaliforniansForAll volunteer corps to bolster critical lifeline for families

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California National Guard and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor announced increased assistance at food banks throughout the state as part of Operation Feed California, a statewide initiative to keep vulnerable Californians fed through the pandemic. Cal Guard is joined by AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), National Civilian Community Corps, California Conservation Corps, Civil Air Patrol and AmeriCorps in increasing members to support food banks and distribution sites.

Cal Guard will add an additional 90 guard members to meet volunteer shortages at food banks. In addition to increasing Cal Guard assistance at nine locations across California, guard members will also be assisting four new food distribution sites in Oxnard, San Jose and Hollister for a total of 20 distribution sites. Cal Guard’s increased assistance at food banks will continue at least through the month of March at a time when food banks are under increased pressure to deliver critical lifelines to countless families.

Along with Cal Guard’s increased assistance, several other groups have increased their commitment to Operation Feed California. AmeriCorps VISTA assistance will be increased to 50 members, NCCC assistance will be increased to 39 members, CCC assistance will be increased to 20 members, CAP assistance will be increased to 14 cadets and AmeriCorps will be increased to 8 members. The increased assistance throughout the state highlights the continued commitment from Operation Feed California to ensure that food banks have the assistance they require to feed Californians in need.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Newsom has made keeping Californian families fed a priority,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We continue the efforts to help feed millions of Californians and provide essential assistance to food banks as they experience increased demand during the pandemic.”

As COVID-19 continues to increase throughout the state, food banks have suffered volunteer shortages as the need for food assistance has dramatically increased as a result of the virus.

“I am very proud of our Servicemembers’ extended effort to food bank operations,” said the Adjutant General, Major General David Baldwin. “We will proudly continue to support the Governor’s requests and the citizens of California.”

More than 151,000 volunteer shifts have been filled as a part of Operation Feed California; however, food banks are still struggling to meet demands. As food banks still have immediate need for volunteer assistance, Californians are encouraged to volunteer at their local food banks. Californians who are interested in safely assisting food banks during the pandemic can become a #CaliforniansForAll member at CaliforniansForAll.gov.

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Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. #CaliforniansForAll is a California Volunteers service initiative launched in response to COVID-19 to establish a volunteer corps to support the state’s response to emergencies and disasters.