National Guard Partners With Watsonville Food Bank

WATSONVILLE, CA — The California National Guard's 115th Regional Support Group has pitched in to help feed Santa Cruz County, a day after President Donald J. Trump declared a major disaster and activated the guard in the Golden State, Washington and New York due to concerns about the new coronavirus.

"These states have been hit the hardest," Trump said during a Sunday press briefing.

The National Guard is working with Watsonville-based Second Harvest Food Bank, the Goodwill-operated Santa Cruz Flea Market and The Food Bank for Monterey County, as KSBW first reported.

Second Harvest Food Bank said it is following the CDC's guidelines. The CDC currently says there is no evidence to suggest coronavirus transmission through food.

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More information on Second Harvest Food Bank's distribution locations and schedule can be found here.

On Sunday Trump also said he would send the USNS Mercy, a massive Navy hospital ship, to Los Angeles to help treat the area's surge of coronavirus patients. Previously, officials in Seattle had expected the ship would head there.

Meanwhile, the president said FEMA would send medical supplies to California, New York and Washington to help the hard-hit states respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Medical beds, N95 masks and gowns will be sent within the next 48 hours, Trump said.

The Major Disaster Declaration will aid people impacted by the outbreak and related economic downturn, Newsom's office said.

"We appreciate the quick response and partnership from the White House," Newsom said in a statement.

— Patch editor Nick Garber contributed to this report.