By Lookout Staff

November 25, 2025 -- California families are seeing their CalFresh/SNAP benefits restored after a month-long political standoff shut the Federal government down, but many are still in need of food.

Santa Monica's Human Services Division, in partnership with the Westside Food Bank, is stepping up to help ensure local residents have enough to eat over the holiday season.

Through the end of the year, food donation boxes will be available at the following city facilities:

Virginia Avenue Park, Park Center

Santa Monica Fire Stations 1, 2, 3, and 5

Santa Monica Public Safety Facility

Lobbies at City Hall and City Hall East

Santa Monica Main and Montana Branch Libraries

Community members and staff can drop off non-perishable food -- including cereal, pasta, beans, canned proteins and shelf-stable milk -- as well as pet food, diapers, baby formula and other urgently needed items, City officials said.

"Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in our region," said Mayor Lana Negrete. "The Westside Food Bank continues to report elevated demand -- even higher than pre-pandemic levels."

The situation "underscores the importance of local action to help keep families nourished and supported during the holidays," Negrete said.

In addition, the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) funds several ongoing programs to address food insecurity within Santa Monica.

They include a weekly food pantry at Virginia Avenue Park, run in coordination with Westside Food Bank, which serves an average of 220 households a week.

In addition, Meals on Wheels West assists homebound individuals, both elderly and/or disabled, while WISE Diner provides lunch to seniors Monday through Friday at Ken Edwards Center.

On Tuesday, GIVING THANKS(giving), an annual event organized by the Santa Monica College Foundation will distribute holiday groceries to more than 2,400 students from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. ("Take Part in the Gift of Giving," November 19, 2025).

Last week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents Santa Monica, the Third District, which includes Santa Monica, announced $201,500 in investments to "expand access to nutritious food .

The money will also be used to "support community organizations responding to unprecedented levels of need," according to her office.

"Despite the federal authorization of SNAP benefits last week, many households are still confronting the fallout of political delays that forced families to ration food, skip meals, or choose between groceries and rent," Horvath's office said.

Third District funds will also support the Westside Thanksgiving Community Dinner & Celebration Thursday at the West LA Civic Center, 1645 Corinth Ave in Los Angeles.