Programs

Many of the people who seek our help can usually pay their bills until something unexpected happens. Car expenses. Medical bills. Higher gas prices. Reduced hours at work. River City Food Bank helps the working poor as well as those on fixed incomes or facing serious illnesses.

CalFresh Outreach Department

CalFresh assistance is currently available during our distribution hours by appointment (drop in is also welcome) at both Midtown and Arden-Arcade locations:

Midtown: Tuesday through Thursday from 10:30am- 1:30pm

Arden-Arcade: Every Friday from 10:30am- 12:30pm

Interested in applying or have questions? Call us at 916-233-4075 or fill out the CalFresh Referral Form and email it back to us at

Important Updates to CalFresh Benefits

Emergency Allotments Continue: CalFresh customers who did not get the maximum benefit in February received a supplemental amount on their card on March 7. The next allotment will take place on April 18.

Increase in CalFresh Benefits: With the American Rescue Plan Act signed, the increase of 15% in CalFresh continues through September 30th. The minimum is $19 and the maximum is $234 for one person.

Department of Human Assistance (DHA) Offices Open: All DHA offices are open with 25% capacity to see an employee and to use their phone and mail services.

Extra Income will not Impact CalFresh Qualification: Stimulus checks in the amount of $1400 and the extra $300 per week for unemployment will not count as additional income for those who are applying for or receiving CalFresh benefits.

College Student Exemptions Expanded: Students are encouraged to apply for CalFresh if they are eligible for state or federally financed work study or if they have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0, as determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

P-EBT 2.0 Coming this Spring: Families with children ages 0-6 and school-age will receive a second round of Pandemic EBT funding this spring. Cards will be issued April-June and will allow families to shop at their local grocery stores and farmers markets.

CalFresh Outreach Staff

CalFresh Outreach Director, Amy Dierlam

Amy Dierlam, CalFresh Outreach Director, can be reached at

We can help you:

Apply for CalFresh
Reschedule your CalFresh appointment
Fill out and submit report forms and other paperwork
Discover the nearest Farmers’ Market that accepts EBT, CalFresh’s debit-like payment card
Request a new EBT card
Assist with trouble-shooting your CalFresh case

Useful Information for CalFresh Recipients:

California EBT website can be used to check account balance and view transaction history.
You can use your CalFresh benefits at some Farmers’ Markets.
List of food items that can be purchased with CalFresh
You can finds stores that accept CalFresh here

CalFresh Materials Available for Download:

CalFresh brochure: English
CalFresh brochure: Spanish
CalFresh brochure: Hmong
CalFresh brochure: Chinese

CalFresh Facts:

CalFresh benefits are FREE but you must apply to get them. There are millions of Californians who qualify but have not applied.
People who qualify for CalFresh receive benefits on a plastic debit-like card called the Golden State Advantage, it’s also known as EBT card.
If your family receives CalFresh then your children may also be eligible to receive free school breakfast and lunch at school.
It doesn’t matter if you own a car, house, or have money in the bank. You may still qualify for CalFresh.

River City Food Bank works in partnership with Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Community Link Capital Region, and Asian Resources Inc. to promote CalFresh awareness in Sacramento County. Together, we are working to end food insecurity in our community.