October 30, 2025

Op-Ed: A Call to Action So Seniors Don’t Go Hungry During the Shutdown
By Akila Gibbs

Councilmember Justin Jones and Mayor Victor Gordo have issued a powerful call to action, urging nonprofits and community partners to coordinate a unified response to support residents affected by the potential loss of CalFresh benefits due to the federal government shutdown. In a show of leadership, they asked organizations to identify gaps, expand capacity, and explore creative strategies to reach older adults who may not typically access food pantries or assistance programs. It was more than a statement—it was a promise that we would join forces to help those in need in Pasadena.

As our nation faces the uncertainty of a prolonged shutdown, Pasadena’s most vulnerable residents—our older adults—are bracing for a devastating blow. If the shutdown continues past October 31, CalFresh (California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) will halt new benefit payments for November. That means seniors will lose access to the food assistance they rely on to survive.

At the Pasadena Senior Center, we’ve already begun receiving calls from worried older adults. They’re asking the same question: What will I do if my benefits stop? For many, CalFresh is the difference between a stocked fridge and an empty one. And for those living on fixed incomes, there’s no room to absorb the loss.

Nearly 20% of Pasadena’s population is age 65 or older. Of those, 15% live below the poverty line. These are our neighbors, our volunteers, our legacy bearers. They are the people who built this community—and now, they are being forced to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, or cutting their medications in half just to stretch a dollar.

For over 30 years, the Pasadena Senior Center has been on the front lines of fighting food insecurity among older adults. Every month, we serve nearly 500 seniors through our food programs: a monthly food distribution in partnership with the LA Regional Food Bank, a free produce giveaway every third Friday, and an emergency food pantry that bridges the gap between Social Security checks and the next meal. We raise funds annually to supplement what older adults receive—providing protein like chicken and ground beef, fresh vegetables, and grocery gift cards during the holidays.

On distribution days, people begin lining up at our doors as early as 6 a.m., even though we don’t open until 9. That’s how urgent the need is. And it’s growing.

We have been feeding older adults for over two decades. And we will not stop. We will continue to fight—not just for their nutritional needs, but for their right to age with dignity, security, and hope. Because their survival is not optional. It is our shared responsibility.

If you are a nonprofit serving older adults in Pasadena and know someone in need of food, please reach out—we are here to help. And if you’re in a position to give, your support can make the difference between hunger and hope. Every dollar helps us put fresh, nourishing food into the hands of those who need it most. Together, we can ensure that no senior in our city is left behind.

Akila Gibbs is the executive director of the Pasadena Senior Center.