CalFresh Outreach
While we are proud to distribute a wide variety of healthy food, we know that there is great dignity in a person being able to purchase and choose their own. That is why we have staff that specialize in helping people navigate the process to apply for CalFresh (SNAP).
I.V. Food Bank's CalFresh Outreach team includes:
Isabel Andrade, Outreach Manager
Yesenia Lopez, Outreach Specialist
Mario Moraga, Outreach Specialist
What is CalFresh?
CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income and provides economic benefits to communities. CalFresh is federally mandated and is state-supervised and county-operated. As the largest food program in California providing an essential hunger safety net, CalFresh benefits allows individuals and families to afford nutritious food, including more fruit, vegetables and other healthy food items.
The amount of benefits a household receives is dependent on the household's size, countable income, and monthly expenses, such as housing and utilities. The program issues monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards.
To learn more about how this CalFresh Outreach Program has helped Valley residents click here!
Need help?
If you or someone you know needs more information on navigating the CalFresh process, please reach out to one of the Food Bank's outreach team members at 760-370-0966 or message them directly at their contact information below.
Outreach Manager Isabel Andrade | Isabel@ivfoodbank.org
Prior to joining the Imperial Valley Food Bank team, I operated a community food distribution as a food bank partner. Through this work, I came to learn how many people relied on this resource to make ends meet in our community. I also realized how unexpected life events can place people in situations where it’s difficult to know where to go to seek help. My role as the food bank’s Outreach Manager is to help the community understand and actively navigate the CalFresh application and renewal process. Beyond the food bank’s resources, we also try to connect clients to other local resources because we believe it’s crucial to know about as many opportunities available in the Imperial Valley. We listen, encourage, and offer our clients support. I love what I do! I help people in many ways through this work and in return I’m able to see the satisfaction and relief brought to families whose immediate needs are being met.
Outreach Specialist Mario Moraga | mario@ivfoodbank.org
Since growing up in the Imperial Valley, I have enjoyed building connections and lifelong friendships with people throughout the community. As an Outreach Specialist for the Imperial Valley Food Bank, I seek out those living with low-income to inform them about potentially qualifying for CalFresh. Most people that qualify for this program do not know they could be receiving monthly food benefits to purchase nutritious food. I also organize informational booths at local outreach events to provide the community with more information on the food bank’s services and advise those wanting to learn more about the CalFresh program. As clients receive their CalFresh benefits to purchase food in the Imperial Valley, those same economic benefits are then funneled back into the community. I love what I do because by helping people who are in need of food, we help the Imperial Valley.
Outreach Specialist Yesenia Lopez | yesenia@ivfoodbank.org
Since moving to the Imperial Valley from Tijuana five years ago, I have come to love the community’s calm and friendly community. As an Outreach Specialist for the Imperial Valley Food Bank, I assist individuals and families with low incomes access monthly food benefits by helping them apply for CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. In addition to assisting with the CalFresh application and renewal process, I also inform the community about the food bank’s programs and services during community resource events held throughout the Valley. I love what I do because I enjoy helping people. My role at the food bank gives me the opportunity to help people, especially families and senior citizens, in different ways throughout the Valley.