Government Shutdown: Day 36, Twentynine Palms Feels the Squeeze
Morongo Basin residents see SNAP benefits impacted, local organizations and businesses step up
With a local economy so dependent on federal employment, government shutdowns in the Morongo Basin are no joke. From active duty military, to National Park Service employees, to government contractors, Twentynine Palms residents are feeling the squeeze. In the short term, the impact is hitting the pocketbooks of federal employees and food stamp recipients, while the long-term implications have yet to unfold.
This week, Desert Trumpet spoke to those with boots on the ground, including food bank organizers, military spouses, and grocery store workers. We wanted to get an idea of the impact the government shutdown has had on food accessibility in Twentynine Palms as the shutdown pushes past the one-month mark, making it the longest government shutdown in history.
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (often referred to as food stamps), is the largest federal food program in the nation. Despite a budget that supported the distribution of over $100 billion in government assistance benefits in 2024,1 funding for SNAP failed to renew as of November 1.
36 days into the government shutdown, this failure directly effects households that rely on the CalFresh EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) program. CalFresh is the State of California’s name for SNAP, with federal funds distributed via the state and county.
The second-longest federal shutdown lasted 35 days, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, during the first Trump administration. Despite two court orders from federal judges ruling that the SNAP program must continue to be funded even though the government is shut down, the process to actually approve that aid, via emergency approval funds, could still take a few days to hit EBT cards.
A CBS report published Monday, November 3, says benefits would be issued via the SNAP program’s $4.6 billion contingency fund, but at a reduced rate with only 50% of costs covered for November’s SNAP recipients.
Those relying on CalFresh to put food on the table are caught in the political crossfire, leaving many families in limbo. In the interim, the community is stepping up to fill in the gaps.
Local Food Banks See Demand Increase
The 29 Palms Community Food Pantry operates out of 6450 Stardune Avenue three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 am.2 Typically the food pantry serves 45 to 60 families a week. The location also hosts a monthly USDA distribution that assists over 140 families, which takes place every third Monday of the month, and a monthly senior food distribution— three operations in total.
Per pantry Director Lori Cosgriff, all three food distributions have seen demand increase in the last month, with 20 more clients served last week than the week before. With holidays approaching, the pantry expects a further uptick.
To accommodate that demand, the 29 Palms Community Food Pantry has increased its USDA distribution allotment from 144 households to 164 households. Cosgriff says she spoke with the USDA last Wednesday, which confirmed that food delivery would be there for the over-160 families in their upcoming food distribution, which will be on Monday, November 17 from 3 to 5 pm.
As for the quantity of food distributed by the USDA since the government shutdown, Cosgriff said October’s distribution did see a smaller per-pound amount than previous months, “sometimes it’s 50 pounds of food per family, sometimes it’s 30 pounds.”
Thanks to donations from private citizens, the City of Twentynine Palms, government grant programs, and some thoughtful preparation from pantry operators and volunteer coordinators, the pantry is ready to serve the community during this time of need. Cosgriff said, “We’re here to help people who need help. We’ve stayed ready, we’ve stayed prepared.”
Fresh food is purchased locally to keep pantry shelves stocked, maintaining a consistent supply on hand for its regular clients, with the ability to purchase more food if demand calls for it.
“Two months from now I might be saying something different,” said Cosgriff. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pantry ramped up its stockpile and rotates food regularly.
FIND Food Bank, which operates primarily out of the Coachella Valley and assists the high desert region with food distributions out of Set Free Church, 82572 Amboy Road, and the Joshua Tree Way Station, reports a similar increase in numbers served as the 29 Palms Community Food Bank. Kelly Mui-Chesterton, Vice President of Development and Community Engagement, told Desert Trumpet on October 30 that their organization has seen a 30% demand increase since the government shutdown began October 1.
An October 24 press release from the food bank acknowledges a ramped-up emergency response amid the shutdown:
FIND is increasing food allocations to its more than 100 local food pantry partners and 30 Community Mobile Market sites, ensuring equitable distribution across the region. If CalFresh disruptions continue, FIND plans to provide CalFresh Interruption Boxes containing staples such as rice, beans, pasta, canned protein, vegetables, fruit, and milk alternatives to help sustain families until benefits resume.
FIND Food Bank also operates a mobile food pantry out of Copper Mountain College on the first Tuesday of the month from 9 to 10 am at 6162 Rotary Way, in the Bell Center parking lot.
Shutdown Impacts on SNAP Recipients, Military Families, and Senior Citizens
Cosgriff, who was at the Community Food Pantry last Monday and Wednesday, noted many people who came in were worried that food stamps were not going to arrive this week.
Charlene Brokaw, closing manager of Grocery Outlet in Twentynine Palms, told Desert Trumpet that customers who rely on CalFresh to purchase groceries have been seeing impacts to their benefits. As of November 1, some customers had remaining balances left over from October that were still available and usable. For others, CalFresh accounts would show funds available but transactions would ultimately decline. Brokaw said over half of the store’s customers use CalFresh benefits to purchase groceries—November benefits have not yet been distributed.3
Grocery Outlet donates food to the program at the Way Station in Joshua Tree and also offers a $3 off discount for veterans and active duty military who spend $35 or more. Brokaw emphasized the shutdown’s impact on local military families— particularly those with kids.
In the parking lot, we talked with a Marine spouse who spoke on the condition of anonymity— she says the primary effect her family has seen is they do not have access to early pay through Navy Fed’s direct deposit while the shutdown is ongoing. Navy Federal Credit Union, which serves many local active duty military families, is offering a paycheck assistance program to eligible federal employees in response.
For this particular spouse, having a dual-income household helps. “It’s fine, we just make it stretch. Plus I still have my job too.” For military families that rely on single incomes, fixed incomes, or have multiple dependents, the effects could be dire.
Twentynine Palms accommodates a large senior population— for elderly with limited incomes who rely on Social Security, shutdown impacts are being seen.
The Twentynine Palms Senior Center location at 6539 Adobe Road serves as a waypoint for local resources— Robin Schlosser, Executive Director of Reach Out Morongo Basin, assists in connecting those in need with those crucial services, such as the senior food distribution out of the 29 Palms Community Food Pantry once a month. (The Food Pantry is available to residents in Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley, and on the Marine Corps Base.)
Reach Out Morongo Basin also has a program that delivers and serves hot meals to seniors, five days a week. Schlosser said that on October 28, eight seniors had come in to sign up for food assistance services, and signup slots for their Thanksgiving meal giveaway are filling up fast.
Local Businesses Step Up
In a Facebook post on October 30, Wing-n-It in Twentynine Palms announced a 30% discount to customers who show their EBT or federal identification card. Similarly, John’s Place, with locations in Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, is offering 25% discount, announced in a Facebook post:
We understand how difficult these times are — with the government shutdown and benefits ending, many of our neighbors are facing real hardship. To help, we’re offering 25% off our entire menu when you show your vaild active duty military ID, federal ID, or Advantage card.
At John’s Place, we believe no child should ever experience hunger and no family should ever feel alone in their struggle. Our doors and hearts are always open — because this community is our family, and family takes care of one another.”
Both restaurants are coordinating Thanksgiving food giveaways this year, with Wing-n-It giving away 300 turkeys and John’s Place hosting their 39th annual free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 27.
How You Can Help
Twentynine Palms High School’s Interact Club is running a Thanksgiving food drive with Reach Out Morongo Basin for the 2025 holiday season. Those interested in assisting can make food donations to the TPHS front office, 72750 Wildcat Way. Families in need can contact Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 to register to receive food for the upcoming holiday.
At their storefront, Wing-n-It is accepting boxed stuffing, canned goods, and other Thanksgiving meal staples for their turkey giveaway. The restaurant’s address is 72317 Twentynine Palms Highway.
The 29 Palms Community Food Pantry welcomes volunteers— the organization also accepts cash donations that are used to purchase food at local stores. Those wanting to assist can contact the food pantry at 760-361-3663 or stop by during operating hours. As for the senior center, they are accepting jacket donations for the unhoused. Volunteer information for Reach Out Morongo Basin is linked here.
Information on the FIND Food Bank website is available for those interested in hosting their own local food drive, giving a monetary donation, or volunteering.
With assistance from the team at Reach Out Yucca Valley, Desert Trumpet has compiled a list of some local food distributions taking place in the upcoming weeks:
Yucca Valley
Yucca Valley Church of the Nazarene.
56248 Buena Vista Drive, 760-365-7819
2nd Thursday of the month from 11:30 am- 12:30 pm.
Next distribution: November 13, 2025
Yucca Valley Community Center
57090 29 Palms Highway, 760-369-7211
3rd Monday of the month from 9 am- 11:30 am
Next distribution: November 17, 2025
Yucca Valley Senior Center
57088 29 Palms Hwy, 760-853-0208
3rd Thursday of the month from 9:30 – 10:30 am
Next distribution: November 20, 2025
Twentynine Palms
29 Palms Community Food Pantry
6450 Stardune Avenue, 760-361-3663
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:30- 11:30 am; USDA: third Monday of month from 3-5 pm; Senior distribution: 4
Alex Roth Community Food Pantry at Oasis Community Church
6631 Utah Trail, 442-559-2657
Thursdays from 10 am- 12 pm
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree Community Center
6171 Sunburst Avenue, 760-366-2471
3rd Monday of the month from 9 am- 11 am.
Next distribution: Monday, November 18, 2025.
The Way Station, 760-366-8088
61722 Commercial Street
Tuesday-Friday 9 am- 1 pm
FIND Mobile Food Bank, Copper Mountain College
6162 Rotary Way, in the Bell Center parking lot, 760-775-3663
1st Tuesday of the month, 9 am – 10 am
Next distribution: Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
This is a developing story. If your business or organization is collecting food drive donations or providing support during the shutdown, please share details in the comment section below.
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The 29 Palms Community Food Pantry will be relocating to a larger location on Sullivan Road in the upcoming months.
A public relations representative for Stater Brothers was not immediately available for comment.
Serves only Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley, and MCAGCC.