Do You Need Help With Food? Riverside County Launches New Tool

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In response to an increasing number of requests for resources, Riverside County has released an online map to connect residents to food resources.

The free Food Access tool was created in partnership with the county, cities and faith-based organizations, according to a tweet from the county's public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser. It gives directions to local senior meal sites, school district meal sites and food pantries within a 10-mile radius. The map also includes relevant details such as hours of operation, contact information and special populations served, according to a county news release.

Riverside County employees keep in contact with local food providers to ensure the map’s accuracy, officials said. New food providers can email EOCMassCare@rivco.org to be included on the map.

“Thank you to all the organizations that are making sure there is a safety net and our residents have food to eat. Resources such as this virtual map are important so people are aware of services that are available and are able to access them,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

Food Access supports food pantry operators, who have received fewer donations at a time when they are also seeing double or triple the number of individuals and families in need. Community members who want to donate food or funds can use the website to locate their nearest food pantry.

Food Access is available on www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus and on the RivCoMobile app (available on iOS and Android).

The county's Food Access announcement coincided with news Thursday from the state that more than $3 billion in unemployment insurance benefits were being paid to California workers who’ve lost their jobs or wages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount disbursed over the last six weeks ending April 18 includes $2 billion paid just last week alone, according to the latest official data from the California Employment Development Department.

Last week’s total does include an extra $600 million in federal stimulus payments the state's EDD is now automatically adding to every week of regular UI payments between March 29 and the end of July.

The EDD has processed 3.2 million UI claims since the pandemic impacts began. The 533,568 California claims filed in the week ending April 18 is more than a 1,000 percent increase over the 44,729 claims filed in the same week last year, according to the EDD.