Michael Segura, executive director of the Garcia Center for the Arts, didn’t mince words when IECN pointed out the chorus of social-media comments claiming arts investment here is a waste of money. “Are the people saying this the police?” Segura quipped on IECN’s Inland Insight podcast on July 18th. “Our police take so much of our budget in a lot of communities. If you want to make communities safer, invest in social programs — arts and culture included — that give people alternatives to being on the streets.”
Segura joined the podcast to discuss the center’s operations, the challenges of funding, and controversies ranging from gentrification fears to public safety concerns. Hired in January 2025, he has spent the past six months restructuring programs and building systems for sustainability, data collection and community impact. Founded nearly a decade ago by Ernie Garcia, the nonprofit
center leases its main building from the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District for $1 per year and owns the adjacent lot that houses its community garden. The garden offers seasonal produce, a seed library and, eventually, culinary workshops aimed at teaching residents how to prepare fresh food — a component Segura says can help address food-desert issues in the city.
“We grow together,” Segura explained. “We’ve had peaches, nectarines, grapes, lettuce and strawberries. Soon we’ll be teaching cooking classes so people know what to do with the fruits and vegetables they pick.” He added that the garden program is funded in part by a stipend from the IECF’s CIELO Fund, but is seeking broader health and nutrition grants.
Building Sustainable Programming
Upon arriving at the center this year, Segura said his first priority was “listening” — holding listening sessions with
Colton High Senior Ava Diaz Appointed Chair of Colton Youth Council, Named Youth Commissioner
and the
olton High School senior Ava Diaz was appointed chair of the Colton Youth Council for the 2025-26 fiscal year, just days after being sworn in as Youth Commissioner for the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission. Both appointments align with the City of
Following her swearing-in by the deputy city clerk, Diaz took her seat on the dais alongside the five voting members of the Recreation and Parks Commission.
As Youth Commissioner, she receives meeting agendas, may ask questions, and is required to present a Youth Council
report, though she serves in a non-voting capacity.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Diaz said following her first Commission meeting on July 16.
Diaz was also appointed to chair the Youth Council by retired educator and community leader Dr. G, who founded the
By Dr. G (Dr. Luis S. González), community writer
Colton’s fiscal calendar
Colton Joint Unified School District school year.
PHOTO DR G. L to R: Dr. G, Council Member; and Ava Diaz, Youth Commissioner and Chair of Colton Youth Council.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Garcia Center for the Arts Executive Director Michael Segura taping an ideation board to the wall in the new Sole Alley during a community listening session in July 2025 – as San Bernardino prepares for a California Cultural District designation.
(cont.)
- instructors, artists and community partners to understand needs and gaps. That led to the creation of an educational council, designed to provide local teaching opportunities at the center, known as the Creative Instructor Program. This program is said to give locals an opportunity to teach arts to the community, while receiving a stipend, and gaining classroom experience. “Some creative instructors will use this as a leap pad into primary school teaching or university positions,” Segura noted.
He also helped launch the “Mercado 536,” a permanent artists’ cooperative retail space where makers can sell jewelry, pottery, photography, leather goods and beauty products. Under a new co-op model, artists keep 100 percent of sales revenue in exchange for a modest $40 annual membership fee and periodic volunteer commitments to staffing the store. “We want to help build the local economy,” Segura said. “When you buy local, you support your neighbors — that’s the mission of Mercado 536.”
Ticketed workshops remain as a revenue source to pay instructors and cover utilities, but Segura plans to shift toward stipends and free community events as the center diversifies funding through private foundations and local partnerships. Discussions are underway with Cal State San Bernardino, University of Redlands and the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center to offer entrepreneurship courses tailored to artists and makers.
Controversy Around Gentrification
Questions about gentrification emerged when podcast hosts asked why artists often become early indicators of neighborhood change. Segura acknowledged the dilemma: “When you bring crowds — people coming for shows, selfies in front of murals — it becomes ‘trendy’ and then coffee shops and vendors follow.” He pointed to recent debates over “selfie murals” that attract outside visitors without reflecting local culture.
To counteract displacement, Segura advocates for artist-specific affordable housing. “Cities like Pomona and Pasadena have crafted affordable live-work spaces for artists,” he said. “If you provide housing and studio space before that wave of gentrification hits, you protect the very creatives who shape community identity.”
He also stressed the importance of local arts policy. “We need impact fees tied to hotel taxes or new construction projects — dedicated arts funding that can’t be diverted to the general fund,” Segura said, referencing past city decisions that funneled arts impact fees into unrelated budgets.
Ensuring Safety and Accessibility
The Garcia Center’s 1920s-era building, surrounded by a 5-foottall iron fence, has not been immune to safety concerns. Segura disclosed plans for a comprehensive security upgrade, including electronic door locks and surveillance controls that track who opens each door — at an estimated cost of $82,000. “It’s pricey, but necessary,” he said.
He even stated that the center has a safety plan in case ICE shows up, noting federal intervention feels like a bigger threat than local vandalism when he was asked about general security. Segura also described a designated “safe area” within the center and said the organization would hire security for events expecting more than 100 attendees.
To improve access, the center is in talks with local developer David Freeman of Realicore Real Estate to lease the empty lot behind the building for up to 60 parking spaces — a critical need for evening performances and weekend workshops. Initial permitting and paving estimates run around $30,000, and Segura and city officials are exploring less costly surfacing alternatives.
Funding Pressures and Future Plans
With state and federal grant programs tightening under the Trump Administration, Segura is pivoting toward private philanthropy. “Grants are great, but they come and go,” he said. “We need a diversified portfolio: tickets, memberships, private foundations, corporate sponsorships and event revenue.”
He also plans to introduce a coffee shop in the garden space, partner with local brewing collectives, and expand studio rentals with a membership model.
Arts Advocacy and Community Engagement
Segura wrapped up the podcast by encouraging arts supporters to apply for seats on the city’s Arts and Historical Preservation Commission.
As the Garcia Center approaches its 10th anniversary in November 2025, Segura envisions a multigenerational, equitable arts campus that nurtures local talent, fights displacement and fosters creative entrepreneurship. “Creativity isn’t just for ‘artists,’” he said. “It’s essential for innovation in every industry. Investing in art is investing in our future.”
The center currently features an auditorium; a gallery space; a public art library; ceramics and glass-blowing studios; and two vacant workspaces.
The Garcia Center for the Arts is located at 536 W. 11th Street, Suite 1, San Bernardino.
Listen to the full podcast on YouTube @InlandInsightPodcast.
Youth Council (cont.)
- Council in 2016 after teaching for many years at Colton High School.
The five-member Youth Council meets monthly in Council Chambers, where students participate in leadership training, city facility tours, and presentations from department directors and guest speakers. Members are also invited to attend local events and community meetings.
“It’s a great program where we learn so much,” said former Youth Council Chair Genesis Rodela Uriarte, who is now beginning college as a microbiology major.
Youth Council members are all current Colton High School students. An associated group, the
Youth Assembly, allows mostly underclassmen to observe meetings and build interest before officially joining the Council.
“It’s a great way to learn and work your way up,” said Samantha Sandoval, a senior Youth Council member who previously attended meetings as part of the Assembly.
Diaz is expected to lead the Youth Council with enthusiasm while serving as a youth voice on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
For more information about the Youth Council, local events, city programs, or to contact Dr. G, text 909-213-3730.
By Manny Sandoval
During the Inland Film Festival Summer Mixer & Community Celebration on July 23, held inside KVCR’s state-of-the-art TV studio, KVCR Executive Director and former State Senator Connie Leyva delivered sobering news: the station is set to lose more than half a million dollars in annual federal funding.
“You’ve all heard the wonderful Trump Administration has eliminated our federal funding. We get that through the California Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation will cease to exist in September,” Leyva told a room of filmmakers, creatives, and community leaders from across the Inland Empire and beyond.
“What we would receive from the corporation was about $550,000 each year, and that is money equivalent to eight full-time positions here at KVCR,” she said. “No one is going to be laid off. We are going to make sure we keep everyone that we have. But, it will hurt us in creating local content.”
KVCR, a PBS affiliate based on the San Bernardino Valley College campus, received two Emmy® Awards in June 2025 for The Warehouse Empire and Inland Edition. The station is also home to Learn With Me, a bilingual children’s education series created in partnership with local educators, Footsteps 2 Brilliance, and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
While Leyva’s statement un-
derscored serious challenges ahead, her transparency ignited a wave of support from the creative community in attendance. Rather than dampening the celebration, her remarks galvanized filmmakers, artists, and advocates to rally behind KVCR and reaffirm the importance of sustaining public media in the Inland Empire.
The mixer—co-hosted by Arts Connection and the Inland Film Festival—ultimately served as a testament to the resilience and vitality of the region’s creative economy.
“We're here to support and empower all creatives across the county,” said Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez, Executive Director of Arts Connection. “The film festival was a project supported through Creative Corps, a workforce development program from the state of California. Through partnerships with the Inland Empire Community Foundation, the Riverside Arts Council, and others, we brought over $4.7 million to artists and creatives across the Inland Empire.”
Gutierrez Chavez added that these investments have created more than 600 creative jobs and directly supported partners like KVCR, which he described as “a champion of the Inland Empire.”
The July 23 mixer invited guests to network through playful challenges, such as pitching their favorite Inland Empire news story as a feature film. The gathering highlighted the connections between filmmakers, public institutions, and media platforms—all working to tell stories rooted in local experience.
The Inland Film Festival, officially launched in April 2024 through a San Bernardino City initiative and originally spearheaded by The Garcia Center for the Arts, is designed to amplify homegrown voices, build creative workforce pipelines, and showcase the cultural fabric of the region. The inaugural festival garnered more than 250 film submissions and over 2,500 attendees.
Over the past year, the festival has hosted a range of workshops, including screenwriting, pre-production, editing, and on-set fundamentals—all led by local professionals in San Bernardino.
Awards at this year’s festival will include the Thrive Filmmaker Award, the Inland Empire Filmmaker Award, and audience and category-based recognitions ranging from Best Documentary to Best Student Film.
As KVCR faces uncertain financial footing, festival organizers emphasized the importance of continued investment in regional storytelling. Leyva’s remarks underscored what many attendees already understood: that sustaining public media and the arts is essential to ensuring that Inland Empire stories don’t just get told—they get heard.
The 2025 festival, which is open to the public, will be held on September 13 and 14. For more information about the festival, visit filmfreeway.com/inlandfilmfest.
Op-Eds Public Safety Control vs. Care: How the Law Fails Women
By Suani Rodas, Arroyo Valley High School student
The ability to deny women control over their reproductive rights is a power that should never lie in the hands of men. For centuries, men have decided what they believe is best for women and their bodies, despite having not lived the same experience as a woman. That imbalance is not only unfair, it’s dangerous. It is deeply ironic that the very group responsible for much of the historical oppression of women continues to hold sway over decisions so personal and consequential. It wasn’t until 1973, in the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, that a woman's right to choose an abortion was recognized as part of the constitutional right to privacy. Women are fundamentally distinct from men, and as such, they deserve full control over their own bodies, including their reproductive systems. No one should have the authority to take that from them.
Yet, decades later, women’s bodily autonomy is still being debated, often by individuals who will never bear the consequences of pregnancy. The Roe decision had established the constitutional right to abortion under the 14th Amendment, but in 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling overturned that precedent. This allowed many states to enforce “trigger laws” banning or severely restricting abortion.
The Dobbs decision didn’t just reverse legal protections—it sent a chilling message: your body is no longer solely yours. In many states, safe, legal abortion became inaccessible overnight. This rollback disproportionately affects poor women, women of color, and those in rural communities—those with the fewest resources and the least political power. It is outrageous how women were given rights for merely 49 years before they were taken from them.
The popular phrase “My body, my choice” has been mocked, twisted into “Your body, my choice,” a cruel reflection of the disregard for women’s rights. But this isn’t just political; it’s a moral crisis. When lawmakers, many of whom are men, control decisions about women’s reproductive health, it reveals how fragile bodily autonomy truly is for half the population. The government’s intrusion into
such intimate decisions threatens personal freedom, medical privacy, and equal protection under the law. Reproductive rights are human rights. They should not be conditional based on where you live, how much you earn, or the color of your skin. In post-Dobbs America, abortion access now depends on arbitrary state lines, leaving millions without basic healthcare.
Criminalizing abortion doesn’t stop it— it only makes it more dangerous. History and global data confirm that in places where abortion is illegal or severely restricted, women still seek abortions, often under unsafe conditions. Denying access doesn’t end the need; it ends the safety. Legal, accessible abortion is not a radical demand—it is a public health necessity.
Restricting it knowingly puts lives at risk, not out of concern for life, but out of a desire to control it. And the damage doesn’t stop there. The Dobbs decision also threatens related freedoms: access to contraception, fertility treatments, and even the right to privacy in intimate relationships. Reproductive rights are woven into a larger framework of personal liberty. Pull one thread, and the entire fabric is at risk.
The consequences of denying women reproductive autonomy extend far beyond individual experiences—they ripple through families, communities, and generations. Forcing someone to carry an unwanted pregnancy can entrap them in poverty, limit their education and careers, and endanger their health. These outcomes are not incidental; they are the direct result of policies that prioritize ideology over empathy.
A society that truly values life would protect the right to choose and invest in systems that support women—before, during, and after pregnancy—on their terms. Silencing women in decisions about their reproductive health also undermines public health, science, and policymaking. When women's voices are ignored, policies lack nuance and compassion. This is not just about politics or religion—it’s about control. Women deserve not just the right to protest after decisions are made, but the right to make those decisions themselves. Autonomy is not a privilege granted by the government. It is a fundamental right, and it is time we treat it as such. We need to fight for our full rights.
San Bernardino Opens Cooling Centers at Libraries, Parks,
and Senior Sites
Amid Summer Heat
day–Sunday, 1–5 p.m.
By Manny Sandoval
As scorching temperatures impact the Inland region, the City of San Bernardino has opened a network of cooling centers to provide residents with safe, air-conditioned relief from the summer heat.
As of July 22, 2025, several senior centers, community centers, libraries, splash pads, and a public swim facility are open to the public. These locations serve as designated cooling centers for individuals who may be vulnerable during periods of excessive heat — especially seniors, children, and those without access to reliable indoor cooling.
Senior Centers
Perris Hill Senior Center, 780 E. 21st St.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
5th Street Senior Center, 600 W. 5th St.; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Community Centers
Rudy C. Hernandez Community Center, 222 N. Lugo Ave.; Monday–Friday, 12–6 p.m.
Lytle Creek Community Center, 380 S. K St.; Monday–Friday, 12–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Delman Heights Community Center, 2969 N. Flores St.; Monday–Friday, 12–6 p.m.
Verdemont Community Center, 3664 Little League Dr.; Monday–Friday, 12–6 p.m.
Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, 831 E. Highland Ave.; Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday, 1–7 p.m.; Satur-
Center for Individual Development, 8088 Palm Ln.; Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Libraries
Norman F. Feldheym Central Library, 555 W. 6th St.; Monday & Wednesday, 12–8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Howard M. Rowe Branch Library, 108 E. Marshall Blvd.; Monday & Wednesday, 12–8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Splash Pads (Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Anne Shirells Park, 1367 N. California St.
Lytle Creek Park, 380 S. K St.
Tom Minor Park, at Irvington and Palm Wildwood Park, 536 E. 40th St.
While there is no confirmed end date for these cooling center hours, all facilities listed are currently operating as of July 22, 2025. Residents are encouraged to call ahead or check the city’s official website for any updates.
City and health officials continue to urge residents to limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, stay hydrated, and check in on neighbors, especially seniors and those with chronic health conditions.
For more information or questions about available resources, contact San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services at (909) 3845233.
PHOTO TRAN FAMILY
Mayor Helen Tran with her children and family enjoying the Jerry Lewis Swim Center’s splash pad in June 2025.
San Manuel Golf Tournament Raises $450K to Support Veteran Healing, Fire Families, and Tribal Foster Care
Birdcage Comics Cafe Announces Closure Days After Union Deal, Leaving Workers Reeling Amid Labor Abuse Allegations
By Community News
In a powerful celebration of community and purpose, the 2025 San Manuel Golf Tournament brought together over 920 golfers—representing hundreds of partner organizations—to raise $450,000 for six deserving charities. Over the past 26 years, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and Yaamava’ Resort & Casino have welcomed companies, agencies and tribal partners to join this tradition of collective giving, generating over $4.5 million in support of more than 70 charitable organizations.
Each charity supported through the 2025 San Manuel Golf Tournament received a $75,000 unrestricted gift, offering them flexibility to invest in areas of greatest need to support of their mission. The recipients were thoughtfully selected to reflect the Tribe’s spirit of Yawa’ — a Serrano value meaning “to act on one’s beliefs” — and to drive lasting impact for seven generations within the pillars of education, economic development, health, and cultural preservation.
The 2025 San Manuel Golf Tournament recipients are:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire holds a deep belief in the promise of every young person, creating powerful, lasting mentoring relationships that help youth thrive. Through evidence-based programs, the organization connects caring adult mentors with over 3,900 children annually, many of whom report feeling more confident, doing better in school, and experiencing stronger mental well-being.
California Fire Foundation is a beacon of care and resilience, offering emotional and financial support to families of fallen heroes, active firefighters, and the communities they serve. At its core, the Foundation honors bravery—not just in moments of crisis, but every day. It’s a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of California’s fire service.
California Indian Education For All (CIEFA) has a heartfelt mission to help educators teach the
rich histories, vibrant cultures, and lasting contributions of California Native peoples. CIEFA creates inclusive, culturally responsive resources that bring truth and representation to life. Through its work, CIEFA fosters more welcoming learning environments, where every student can grow with awareness and every story is honored.
Home Base is a sanctuary of healing, hope, and resilience for veterans of all eras, service members, military families, and families of the fallen. Home Base exists to mend the invisible wounds of service through worldclass care, wellness, education and groundbreaking research. They work closely with Native American communities to ensure culturally respectful, accessible care reaches Native American veterans —and their families— with honor and heart.
Tribal Oak Tree Foster Family Agency is deeply committed to cultural preservation and family support, the organization provides vital social services and programs that uplift individuals, families, and Tribes—meeting the evolving needs of Native communities with care and intention. Tribal Oak Tree offers American Indian and Alaska Native youth a safe, nurturing home where cultural identity is honored and personal growth is embraced.
Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc. has a sacred purpose to end violence and foster safe, healthy relationships by combining advocacy, education, and tradition to guide community transformation. Through outreach on stalking, domestic, sexual, dating, and family violence, they equip individuals, families and service providers with the knowledge and support to protect and uplift one another.
The San Manuel Golf Tournament has grown into a five-day event now held at the oceanfront Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, Calif. The tournament attracts celebrities like Chef Jet Tila and professional golfer Notah Begay III and is sponsored by global brands including Gander Group.
By Manny Sandoval
Less than a week after Birdcage Comics Cafe employees celebrated a breakthrough in union recognition and return-to-work plans, the beloved Hospitality Lane cafe has abruptly closed its doors for good.
The closure was announced in an Instagram post by the cafe’s official account on the evening of Sunday, July 27. It came just seven days after employees had publicly shared that owner Daniel Whitfield formally recognized the Birdcage Workers Union and agreed to a long-term bargaining process.
“Friday, July 25th – our third anniversary – was our last day of operations,” read the announcement. “We are not in a financial position to keep the doors open at this time.”
The news blindsided many in the community, as just a week prior, Birdcage staff had posted that they would be returning to work under new, safer conditions on Monday, July 21. That post, shared by the Birdcage Workers Union, expressed optimism for a new chapter. “We’re so back,” it read. “We invite everyone to come check out the new vibes and ask for patience as we get back into the groove of our new working conditions.”
The closure marks a swift and emotional turning point in a monthlong labor dispute that began on July 10, when employees submitted a formal “Notice of Strike and Statement of Demands,” citing allegations of unsafe working conditions, verbal harassment, discrimination, and exposure to pesticide in food prep areas.
The strike escalated with a public protest on July 18, which drew support from Teamsters Local 63 and the Inland Empire Labor Institute. Demonstrators held signs reading “Safe space includes the workers” and “No Birdcage without the workers,” while former and current staff called for accountability and third-party mediation.
Philippe Manila, a two-year employee, said the staff had been in negotiations for weeks. “We’re facing malpractice of business procedures and abuses as workers,” he said, adding that the strike was never intended to shut down the cafe but to protect those working there.
Amy Gonzalez, who joined the cafe in 2024, said the environment became physically and emotionally unsafe. “I’ve felt scared to come into my scheduled shifts and physically sick,” she said. “We want to return to work and bargain for a fair and safe workplace… we don’t want to lose the space, but can’t work for someone in these conditions.”
Owner Daniel Whitfield, speaking to IECN during the July 18 protest, had initially rejected the union’s demands, stating they “go against the cafe’s morals and my religion.” But on July 20, he reversed course and formally recognized the union.
The abrupt closure now leaves employees and supporters uncertain about the future. As recently as last week, workers expressed hope that the business could thrive under improved conditions. Now, many are grappling with the emotional whiplash of victory followed by finality.
The Birdcage Workers Union has not yet issued a formal statement following the closure.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Former Birdcage Comics Cafe employee Philippe Manila protesting outside the cafe on July 18th, 2025.
PHOTO SAN MANUEL NATION
Representatives from the six selected nonprofits and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation tribal leadership celebrate $450,000 in charitable giving at the 2025 San Manuel Golf Tournament.
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino CEO Warns SNAP Cuts Will Devastate Families: “We
Can’t Fill the Gap”
By Manny Sandoval
With the stroke of a pen on July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law what many are calling the most severe rollback of the social safety net in a generation. The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill—dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—includes sweeping cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), threatening to upend food access for millions across the country.
After IECN had a phone call with Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) on July 25, it’s evident that the organization is already bracing for impact.
When asked how she responds to those who believe programs like SNAP are abused or used as a lifelong crutch, FARSB CEO Carolyn Fajardo acknowledged the concern but emphasized the organization’s commitment to acting in good faith.
“Honestly, those are valid concerns,” she said. “We can’t stop every case of misuse—but what we see are families in crisis, people with chronic illness, single parents trying to make it work. We operate with the best intentions, and we hope those coming to us are doing the same.”
“Still,” Fajardo continued, “we simply cannot fill the gap that SNAP leaves behind. People already think these programs are being abused, but the truth is, most of the families we serve are barely surviving. If these cuts go through, they’ll turn to us—and we are not equipped for that.”
The legislation, passed by the House on July 3 following Senate modifications, overhauls SNAP by expanding work requirements, shifting financial responsibility to states, restricting utility allowances, and freezing updates to the Thrifty Food Plan—despite record inflation in food prices.
In California alone, $36 billion in SNAP benefits are on the chopping block. Nationwide, up to 5 million families could lose food assistance.
For working-class households, the impact could be immediate and devastating. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit is $292 for one person, $536 for two, $768 for three, and $975 for a household of four.
“We had a family of five—a Chinese asylum-seeking family—who were only getting $292 through their
youngest child. That little bit was keeping them afloat,” said Fajardo.
While federal lawmakers frame these changes as a push for personal responsibility, Fajardo said they overlook the reality on the ground.
“There’s this misconception that SNAP is a lifelong crutch,” she said. “Yes, some people rely on it longer than expected—but many are facing temporary crises, health issues, or are elderly and on fixed incomes. These aren’t freeloaders. These are your neighbors.”
Erica Olson, CalFresh Outreach Coordinator at FARSB, echoed that sentiment.
“Most of the clients we serve are recently unemployed, disabled, or retired seniors living off Social Security,” Olson said. “To assume they’re abusing the system is not just unfair—it’s inaccurate.”
She shared the story of a disabled lift driver battling kidney failure who lives alone in a mobile home. His entire food budget hinges on the $292 maximum SNAP benefit.
“If that amount drops even slightly, I don’t know how he survives,” Olson said.
Currently, SNAP provides nine meals for every one that food banks distribute. Fajardo said the idea that local nonprofits can pick up the slack is “naive and dangerous.”
“We rely heavily on donated goods—and what we get isn’t always nutritious,” she said. “Often it’s damaged pallets, products near expiration, or junk food that doesn’t meet the dietary needs of our community.”
FARSB operates 10 direct programs, including a senior mobile pantry that delivers over 90,000 pounds of food monthly to 10 sites across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In May alone, the program served 2,900 senior households. The new law raises work requirements for SNAP from age 55 to 65—potentially stripping benefits from many of those very seniors.
“Fixed incomes aren’t keeping up with utility costs or food prices,” Fajardo said. “We’re seeing older adults forced into impossible decisions—skip meals or skip meds.”
To prevent long-term reliance on our services, FARSB has partnered with community organizations to offer monthly resource fairs that connect residents to job training, immigration support, mental health services, and resume development. But Fajardo says wraparound services are only part of the solution.
“Cutting SNAP and Medicaid at the same time? That’s a direct attack on stability,” she said. “There are other ways to balance the budget without ripping away essential lifelines.”
Under the new law:
SNAP will shift financial burden to individual states, likely triggering inconsistent benefit levels.
Work requirements now extend to adults up to age 65, including parents with children as young as 7.
Utility allowances used to calculate benefit amounts are restricted to elderly and disabled households only.
Quality control standards are tightened to an unrealistic $0 tolerance, which could increase administrative errors and disqualifications.
Updates to the Thrifty Food Plan are frozen, further eroding purchasing power as prices rise.
The strain is already visible. Donations to FARSB have dropped as corporate sponsors reduce giving to address their own financial pressures.
“Our budget is tight, our resources limited, and the demand is growing,” Fajardo said. “And the worst part? Most families don’t even realize yet that these cuts are coming.”
Olson added that public awareness remains low. “People call in embarrassed, saying they’ve hit a rough patch. That’s why SNAP exists—for emergencies. Without it, we’re not just risking hunger. We’re breaking a promise to our communities.”
Fajardo concluded with a direct appeal to policymakers.
“If you want to reduce reliance on food assistance, invest in communities. Cutting safety nets isn’t reform— it’s abandonment.”
Listen to IECN’s Podcast on YouTube
PHOTO FARSB
A young boy receives fresh vegetables at a Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino food distribution site.
