Hundreds stand in line for food at Feeding San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Despite rulings from two federal judges ordering the Trump administration to continue funding food stamps during the government shutdown, many families remain uncertain about when those benefits will resume.

That uncertainty prompted Feeding San Diego to hold an emergency food distribution event Saturday morning, drawing one of its largest crowds to date.

Organizers said many people who showed up have not seen their CalFresh EBT cards reloaded with funds for groceries.

“It’s really hard because I have to feed my kids,” said Collette Williams, one of many parents waiting in line. Among those in attendance were families of furloughed federal employees and military members struggling to buy food amid the ongoing shutdown.

“The grocery stores here — the prices are astronomical,” said Samantha Van Hubbard, a Navy spouse.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego, who represents the 51st Congressional District, volunteered at the event and praised the judges’ rulings.

“We are hopeful those benefits will get passed out soon,” Jacobs said. “But in the meantime, people are really counting on their CalFresh benefits, and we can see by how many people are here that people are really worried about what’s going to happen to them and their families.”

Feeding San Diego spokesperson Carissa Casares said the organization’s social media post about the event received more than 10,000 engagements, a sign of widespread need.

“We saw a lot of new faces,” Casares said. “This was really needed in the community.”

Over a two-hour period, volunteers distributed enough food to feed more than 3,500 people — parents, children and service members — grateful for a helping hand as they wait for federal aid to resume.

For more information about local food resources, residents can call 2-1-1 or visit 211sandiego.org.