Mono County and Town of Mammoth Lakes Partner to Provide Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Support for Local Residents

MONO COUNTY, Calif. (November 6, 2025) – In response to the ongoing national Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits hold, the Mono County Board of Supervisors this week voted to approve $100,000 in local funding to help augment food assistance for Mono County families. The following day, the Town of Mammoth Lakes generously voted to match those funds, creating a combined $200,000 local relief effort to help residents most impacted by the federal delay.

The funding will be used to establish a grocery card program and to boost the Health and Human Services Food Pantry for SNAP (known locally as CalFresh) recipients. One-time prepaid grocery store cards will be distributed to current CalFresh recipients to help ensure continued access to fresh, healthy food. Approximately 500 households—representing 768 residents—rely on CalFresh benefits each month in Mono County. Of those households, 68% are families with children, 22% include elderly or disabled members, and 38% are working families.

“The Mono County Board of Supervisors acted quickly to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are not left without essential food assistance,” said Lynda Salcido, Chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “We deeply appreciate the Town of Mammoth Lakes for joining us in this effort and demonstrating what it means to come together as one community.”

“In small, rural communities like ours, partnership is essential,” added Chris Bubser, Mayor of the Town of Mammoth Lakes. “When federal programs are delayed, it’s our neighbors who feel it first. The Town of Mammoth Lakes is proud to stand with Mono County to ensure that families, seniors, workers, and children have the support they need to put food on the table. This is what local government should be: responsive, collaborative, and united in service to our community, and we are grateful to the County Supervisors and staff who worked so quickly to create a solution.”

Mono County Department of Health and Human Services leadership emphasized that the program is being designed with care and fiscal prudence.

“Our department is acutely aware of the fluid nature of federal funding during this period,” said Kathy Peterson, Director of Mono County Health and Human Services. “We are working diligently to ensure that every local dollar is used effectively to support those who need it most.”

Mono County residents currently receiving CalFresh benefits may contact Mono County Health and Human Services at (760) 924-1770 to obtain grocery store cards and food pantry items. This support is intended to help supplement food needs and reduce financial stress during the temporary benefits disruption.

In addition, residents are encouraged to access other food assistance programs available throughout the county, including Community Service Solutions, IMACA, Salvation Army, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Second Chance Thrift Store, and Eastern Sierra Community Housing.

For more information on available programs and food resources, please see the Mono County Food Resource Guide on the Mono County HHS CalFresh Benefits webpage.

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