Bakersfield, United States - November 04, 2025 11/04/2025 09:00 am GMT-0800 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The California National Guard has been deployed to the Bakersfield Fairgrounds to assist in distributing food to those affected by the government shutdown, which has resulted in the suspension of SNAP benefits for the month of November. Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) has established a food bank funded by donations to facilitate this effort. Fifty soldiers are on-site, working alongside volunteers to help process and load food into vehicles for those in need. To receive food, individuals must present a SNAP benefits card at the location before entering the distribution line. The entrance to the food drive is located on Belle Terrace, just east of P Street. The site is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, for distribution this week. The first interview is Executive Director of CAPK Food Bank, Kelly Lowery. The second interview is Sergeant First Class Aldape of the California National Guard.