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In response to the loss of CalFresh emergency allotments, Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District, and the County of Orange Social Services Agency have organized a Community Resources & Health Fair.
The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at Centennial Park, near the corner of Edinger Avenue and Fairview Street.
Residents can receive food and free diapers while supplies last, apply for public assistance benefits such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief or CalWORKs, and visit with participating partners to find out more about other services and resources available to them. A DJ will provide musical entertainment and children can enjoy an arts and crafts area.
“The end of the COVID-19 CalFresh emergency benefits and the return to the Medi-Cal renewal process will hit Central Orange County the hardest, especially cities within my district, including Santa Ana and Anaheim. Many of our residents will now struggle to find ways to make up for these losses. The Community Resources & Health Fair will connect our most vulnerable community members directly to vital support provided through our Social Services Agency and partner organizations,” said Supervisor Sarmiento.
Participating partners include CalOptima Health, the city of Santa Ana, Latino Health Access, the Delhi Center, the OC Hunger Alliance, the OC Health Care Agency, the OC Office on Aging, Santa Ana Unified School District, Santa Ana College, Second Harvest Food Bank and United Across Borders Foundation, among many others. Each will work with attendees to share resources to help them navigate today’s economic climate.
SSA will bring its Mobile Response Vehicle – an office on wheels – and a team of eligibility professionals to assist attendees in applying for public assistance benefits or to answer questions recipients may have about their current benefits. In-language services will be available.
“This event brings together the pieces – our partners – who can help solve the puzzle of how residents can manage increased costs, from food to rent to gas and utilities, in one of the highest cost of living areas in the nation. SSA is grateful to Supervisor Sarmiento and our partners for joining us in answering the call for help,” said SSA Director An Tran.
