San Diego organization provides food as federal cuts hit families

City Heights CDC expands emergency grocery program amid rising demand from immigrant and refugee communities

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:11am

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph in soft, warm tones depicting the hands of volunteers distributing grocery bags and food vouchers to a diverse group of people, conceptually representing a community-based food assistance program.A community organization in San Diego steps up to provide emergency food assistance as federal aid cuts impact immigrant and refugee families.San Diego Today

A San Diego nonprofit organization called the City Heights Community Development Corporation is expanding its 'Feeding City Heights' program to provide emergency groceries, gift cards, and vouchers to families struggling with the rising cost of living and recent federal cuts to food assistance programs like CalFresh. The organization says it has seen a sharp increase in demand, especially from immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking families who have been impacted by the changes.

Why it matters

The federal changes that took effect on April 1 have blocked some immigrant families, including refugees and asylum seekers who are in the country legally, from receiving food assistance money through programs like CalFresh. This has created a growing need for emergency food support in San Diego's diverse City Heights neighborhood, which has a high population of immigrants and refugees.

The details

The City Heights CDC says it is now providing groceries, gift cards, and vouchers to around 200 people at one of its properties, and serving over 500 families across its 14 affordable housing sites. The organization is working to expand the program to serve more residents in the northern and southern parts of San Diego County. For students like Medina Husen, the biweekly food assistance is a crucial resource to help feed her family.

  • The federal changes that blocked some immigrant families from receiving food assistance took effect on April 1, 2026.
  • The City Heights CDC has been providing emergency groceries and vouchers through its 'Feeding City Heights' program for the past several weeks.

The players

City Heights Community Development Corporation

A San Diego nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and community services, including an emergency food assistance program called 'Feeding City Heights'.

Javier Gomez

The chief advising officer for the City Heights CDC, who spoke about the organization's efforts to expand its food assistance program in response to rising demand.

Medina Husen

A student who relies on the City Heights CDC's food assistance program to help feed her family.

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What they’re saying

“We saw that the needs for this program when the government was shut down for a while and our community was being denied or there, there were not, there was no access to SNAP and EBT benefits.”

— Javier Gomez, Chief Advising Officer, City Heights CDC

“In City Heights, we are 1/3 born population, so our community is highly refugee asylum seekers, immigrants.”

— Javier Gomez, Chief Advising Officer, City Heights CDC

“I am a student and it helps so much, saves me money.”

— Medina Husen

What’s next

The City Heights CDC is currently working to expand its 'Feeding City Heights' program to serve more residents in the northern and southern parts of San Diego County.

The takeaway

This story highlights the vital role that community-based organizations like the City Heights CDC play in providing emergency food assistance to vulnerable populations, especially immigrant and refugee families, when federal aid programs fall short. The growing demand for the CDC's services underscores the significant impact that policy changes can have on food security in diverse urban neighborhoods.