December 23, 2020
The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor, State of California State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Request for Extension of California National Guard Deployment at Food Banks
Dear Governor Newsom:
The unprecedented nature of this pandemic has exposed the numerous inequities and vulnerabilities present in our society. Principal among them is the reality that many families are only one emergency away from homelessness and food insecurity. The consequences of this reality have only been exacerbated by the economic hardships brought on by COVID-19. In response, food banks across the state have been working tirelessly to feed Californians and it is our responsibility as a state to continue providing them support.
That is why we are writing to respectfully request that you extend the deployment period of the California National Guard at food banks across the state for at least the next twelve months.
Demand for the services provided by food banks have soared since the pandemic began and the subsequent rise in unemployment. According to research by Northwestern University, using Census’s Household Pulse Survey data, 23 percent of households in California are experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic. At the same time that demand has increased, the number of available volunteers for food banks has decreased. Seniors makeup a majority of the volunteer-force at food banks, but their increased vulnerability to COVID-19 means food banks are severely understaffed if left without support.
Letter to Governor Newsom Page 2 December 23, 2020
We believe the extension of deployment of California National Guard personnel and the staffing and logistical support they provide will be invaluable in helping food banks and pantries continue feeding the state’s residents. Thank you for the consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
______MARC LEVINE LORENA GONZALEZ 10th Assembly District 80th Assembly District
______BRIAN MAIENSCHEIN MARC BERMAN 77th Assembly District 24th Assembly District
______STEVE BENNETT JORDAN CUNNINGHAM 37th Assembly District 35th Assembly District
______CRISTINA GARCIA MELISSA HURTADO 58th Assembly District 14th Senate District
______KELLY SEYARTO REBECCA BAUER-KAHAN 67th Assembly District 16th Assembly District
Christopher M. Ward ______JOHN LAIRD CHRISTOPHER M. WARD 17th Senate District 79TH Assembly District Letter to Governor Newsom Page 3 December 23, 2020
______MONIQUE LIMON CECILIA AGUIAR CURRY 19th Senate District 4th Assembly District
______CARLOS VILLAPUDUA LISA CALDERON 13th Assembly District 57th Assembly District
______ASH KALRA BUFFY WICKS 27th Assembly District 15th Assembly District
______SHARON QUIRK-SILVA 65th Assembly District