CERC on Deployment

When California faced a sudden food security crisis, CERC members stepped up. Just days after completing deployment training, members across the state stepped up to support Operation Feed California, a massive statewide response to the federal CalFresh pause that left hundreds of thousands of households uncertain about their next meal. From Bakersfield’s drive-through food distributions to Fresno’s innovative market-style pantry, from the warehouse lines of San Bernardino to community hubs across Santa Barbara County, CERC members worked side by side with local partners to make sure food kept moving and families didn’t face the season alone. Each operation looked a little different—forklifts humming in one city, grocery carts rolling in another—but the spirit was the same: show up, serve others, and strengthen California’s safety net from the ground up. The Power of Response In Bakersfield, members joined the Community Action Partnership of Kern and the California National Guard to keep a massive drive‑through food line moving—7,400 intake forms completed and 3,700 vehicles loaded in just a few days. “It was a choreography of forklifts, volunteers, and endless boxes,” one member said. In Fresno, creativity met compassion. Partnering with the Central California Food Bank, members transformed a warehouse into a temporary market where families could choose their own groceries. More than 1,100 households—including 279 first-time participants—received over 31,000 pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 26,000 meals. In San Bernardino, the focus shifted behind the scenes as teams packed 6,000 food boxes, prepared snack packs, and delivered holiday meal kits to families across the region. “Every box meant relief for a family,” a member shared. Along the Central Coast, Santa Barbara teams supported 50 distributions delivering 214,000 pounds of food—178,000 meals’ worth—and rescued over 20,000 pounds of food donations from local stores. Across every site, CERC members proved that food access is more than calories—it’s community in action. As one member reflected, “Now I see how much compassion and teamwork it takes to keep a community fed.” Looking Ahead Operation Feed California offered a glimpse of what responsive service can look like in California’s future. When systems faltered, people stepped up and CERC members were right there at the center of that effort, ready to act, adapt, and lead with heart. From the first call to the final packed box, CERC members embodied what California Volunteers stands for: service that restores, strengthens, and unites communities. As food aid operations continue statewide, the spirit of Operation Feed California reminds us that when Californians face hardship, we face it together. Learn More and Get Involved To learn more about the statewide effort behind Operation Feed America and how California is stepping up to support food banks and families, explore these resources: ●Operation Feed California overview on California Volunteers ●State announcement on Operation Feed California and the CalFresh disruption ●Reflections on Operation Feed California as a model of volunteerism in action If you feel called to serve, now is the time. Whether you’re interested in volunteering with local food banks or committing to a term of service with the California Emergency Response Corps (CERC), your support helps keep food moving and communities strong. Explore the CERC website or visit your local volunteer hub to find opportunities to get involved.