Community holds food drive and speak-out to protest possible SNAP cuts
Luis Avila
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of people gathered outside Rep. Ken Calvert’s Palm Desert office to hold a food drive and protest possible SNAP cuts under the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ Advocates say the cuts would impact thousands of families across the Coachella Valley.
Several attendees sharing personal experiences, explaining how the program supported them through challenging times.
“As a little girl, I lost my father at age 9. He was only 45, my mom was 38 with 6 kids. We had no choice but to go on SNAP and not only that but government housing. It was very difficult.”
Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident
“My mother is 101 years old. We depend on the SNAP program for food support. They’ve already cut her food budget by over half since last year.”
Evanne Levin, Rancho Mirage resident
Organizers pointing to the number of local residents enrolled in SNAP, about 13 percent of Riverside County, as a reason to keep funding intact. Within Calvert’s 41st district, 95,000 people receive SNAP benefits.
“This is not a huge benefit that people are getting but it is a lifesaving amount of money for them… If our citizens are hungry, it’s not wasteful to feed them. We have no problem donating to good causes and this a good cause. This strengthens our community.”
Christine Massey, organizer
Wednesday’s protest was combined with a food drive benefiting local food banks, which advocates say could see increased demand if federal assistance is reduced.
But organizers say donations alone won’t solve the problem, and are hoping their message is heard.
“Be humane. You may not have been at that point where you need the food to eat to survive, but there’s plenty of people that need it. If you have a soul, please, be humane.”
Pati Ortiz, La Quinta resident
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