1 of 14

1

Outreach

Resource Toolkit for Schools to Reach Families

San Bernardino County

Apply In-Person

Find your county social services office or visit Feeding America

Riverside | San Bernardino

Apply Online

www.BenefitsCal.com

(English, Spanish, and �10 additional languages)

Apply by Phone

Text “Food IE” to 74544

Texta “COMIDA IE a 74544

or

Call (951) 359-4757 or 2-1-1

Last update: January 28, 2025

2 of 14

  • Why CalFresh Outreach in Schools? p.3
  • Protecting Immigrant Families p.4
  • Disaster CalFresh Response p.5
  • mRelief CalFresh Screening Tool p.6
  • Sample Language - Newsletters, Emails, & Robocalls p.7
    1. En Español p.8
  • Social Media Posts (English & Español) p.9
  • Website Outreach p.10
  • San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Offices p.11
  • Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino Contact p.12
  • Customizable Flyer Templates (English & Espanol) p.13-14

Outreach

What’s in the Toolkit?

3 of 14

CALFRESH HELPS KIDS

CalFresh helps kids in the classroom: Consistent access to food helps to reduce chronic absenteeism, boosts test scores, and minimizes disruptions from behavioral issues and visits to the nurse’s office.

CalFresh helps kids on the playground: Consistent access to food helps kids stay active, which boosts memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Outreach

CalFresh Outreach is Important for Students

CALFRESH HELPS SCHOOLS

CalFresh helps to build resilient and thriving communities:

By providing consistent access to food resources for kids, CalFresh helps families stay nourished, reducing financial strain and enhances overall health and well-being.

CalFresh helps boost funding for school nutrition programs: By reaching more eligible kids, CalFresh enhances a school’s capacity to run free summer and afterschool meal programs and to implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which removes administrative burdens and allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost to families. Learn more about CEP.

CALFRESH HELPS FAMILIES

CalFresh helps kids at home: California households of four can receive an average of $713* per month to help parents afford groceries.

*Maximum CalFresh benefit allotments amounts can vary on a month to month basis. For more information, visit the County’s Department of Social Services website.

CalFresh helps kids at school: Kids enrolled in CalFresh are automatically eligible for for free & reduced price school meals and SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT.

*CA Senate Bill 708 (Mendoza 2015) requires LEAs who have their school meal application available online to include CalFresh application link on their website.

4 of 14

Please Note: Immigrant families may be hesitant to enroll in CalFresh. Public charge rules do not apply to programs like CalFresh, SUN Bucks, WIC, and school meal programs.

Getting CalFresh will not affect your immigration status, or your chances of getting legal permanent residency in the future.

Find answers to common questions about CalFresh and immigration in this CalFresh guide for immigrants.

For questions about other public benefits, please consult legal aid.

For additional community-facing resources, visit Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition at: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/

Text “Benefits” to 650-376-8006 to learn more about how people with different immigration statuses could be affected by CalFresh eligibility.

Outreach

CalFresh Won’t Hurt Your Immigration Status

5 of 14

Disaster CalFresh is a program that provides immediate food assistance to individuals and families impacted by natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or fires. If your community is approved for federal disaster relief, check here for locations on where to apply. More information about the Disaster CalFresh program.

If you are eligible for D-CalFresh, families can:

  • Apply Online at BenefitsCal.com
  • Apply by calling 1-877-847-3663 and follow the prompts to speak with your county welfare office
  • Apply in-person at any county District Office or outreach site.

If you already get CalFresh, you are not eligible for Disaster CalFresh BUT can request replacement benefits here.

Individuals and families can now buy prepared hot foods with CalFresh at Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)-authorized retail stores through February 8, 2025 in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, & Ventura Counties.

Visit the CDSS D-CalFresh Website for more information.

Outreach

Disaster CalFresh Response

6 of 14

No Kid Hungry is partnering with mRelief to ensure eligible families in San Bernardino County are connected to vital food assistance resources like CalFresh.

To check eligibility, families can:

  • Text “FOOD IE” or �“COMIDA IE” to 74544,

  • Scan the QR Code, or

  • Go to the screener online snap.mrelief.com/GetFoodSupportNow

If families qualify for CalFresh, they will be connected to CDSS to apply and/or a local agency like Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino to help with the application process.

Families can also apply directly by calling Feeding America IE at

(951) 359-4757 or 2-1-1

We invite you to use these graphics and templates in this toolkit to help spread the word about CalFresh and the screening tool in your neighborhood.

Download free social media graphics in English and Spanish here: https://tinyurl.com/SanBernardinoCalFresh

Outreach

mRelief CalFresh Screening Tool

7 of 14

7

Sample Language to Copy and Paste: English

Newsletter or Website Post

With rising food costs are making it hard for many families to put food on the table, CalFresh is one of the most effective tools to reduce childhood hunger and poverty. CalFresh provides monthly benefits to help households purchase healthy and nutritious food they need.

CalFresh benefits are uploaded to an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and can be used to purchase food at places like grocery stores and farmers markets. Applying for CalFresh is confidential. See if you qualify by texting “FOOD IE” or “COMIDA IE” to 74544. You can apply at www.BenefitsCal.com or call 2-1-1 or to Feeding America IE at (951) 359-4757.

Email or Letter to Families

Dear Families,

�If you recently lost your job or experienced a loss in income, you may be eligible for CalFresh food benefits. CalFresh may help you put food on the table for you and your children.

CalFresh provides money for food on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used like a debit card to buy food at grocery stores and farmers markets. The card is mailed to your house and benefits are uploaded each month directly on the card. 

For the average household of four, California families could receive an estimated $713 a month to help afford groceries.

Get more fruits and vegetables. See if you are eligible by texting “FOOD IE” or “COMIDA IE” to 74544. You can apply at www.BenefitsCal.com or call 2-1-1 or to Feeding America IE at (951) 359-4757.

Robocall Script

Hello, this is [Name of superintendent or principal]. Rising food costs are making it hard for many families to put food on the table, but there are programs that can help.

If you or your family could use support buying groceries, you may be eligible for CalFresh, a program that helps millions of people all across the country.

For the average household of four, California families could receive an estimated $713 a month to help afford groceries.

See if you are eligible by texting “FOOD IE” or “COMIDA IE” to 74544. You can apply at www.BenefitsCal.com or call 2-1-1 or to Feeding America IE at (951) 359-4757.

8 of 14

Idioma de Muestra para Copiar y Pegar: En Español

Publicación en Boletín o Sitio Web

Con el aumento en el costo de los alimentos haciendo que sea difícil para muchas familias poner comida en la mesa, CalFresh es una de las herramientas más eficaces para reducir el hambre infantil y la pobreza. CalFresh proporciona beneficios mensuales para ayudar a los hogares a comprar los alimentos sanos y nutritivos que necesitan.

Los beneficios de CalFresh se cargan en una tarjeta de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT, por sus siglas en inglés) y se pueden utilizar para comprar alimentos en lugares como tiendas de comestibles y mercados agrícolas. La solicitud de CalFresh es confidencial. Comprueba si eres elegible enviando un mensaje de texto con las palabras "FOOD IE" o "COMIDA IE" al 74544. Puedes solicitarlo en www.BenefitsCal.com o llamando al 2-1-1 o Feeding America IE al (951) 359-4757.

Correo Electrónico o Carta a las Familias

Estimadas Familias,

Si recientemente perdiste tu trabajo o experimentaste una pérdida de ingresos, es posible que seas eligible para recibir los beneficios alimentarios de CalFresh. CalFresh puede ayudarte a poner comida en la mesa para ti y tus hijos.

CalFresh proporciona dinero para alimentos en una tarjeta de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT, por sus siglas en inglés) que puede utilizarse como una tarjeta de débito para comprar alimentos en tiendas de comestibles y mercados agrícolas. La tarjeta se envía por correo a tu casa y los beneficios se cargan cada mes directamente en la tarjeta.

Para un hogar promedio de cuatro miembros, las familias californianas podrían recibir unos $713 al mes como ayuda para comprar alimentos.

Obtén más frutas y vegetales. Comprueba si eres elegible enviando un mensaje de texto con "FOOD IE" o "COMIDA IE" al 74544. Puedes solicitarlo en www.BenefitsCal.com o llamando al 2-1-1 o Feeding America IE al (951) 359-4757.

Guión de Llamada Automática

Hola, soy [Nombre del superintendente o director]. El aumento en el costo de los alimentos está haciendo que sea difícil para muchas familias poner comida en la mesa, pero hay programas que pueden ayudar.

Si tú o tu familia podrían necesitar ayuda para comprar alimentos, podrías ser elegible para CalFresh, un programa que ayuda a millones de personas en todo el país.

Para un hogar promedio de cuatro personas, las familias de California podrían recibir un estimado de $713 al mes para ayudar a comprar alimentos.

Comprueba si eres elegible enviando un mensaje de texto con "FOOD IE" o "COMIDA IE" al 74544. Puedes solicitarlo en www.BenefitsCal.com o llamando al 2-1-1 o Feeding America IE al (951) 359-4757.

9 of 14

English

If you could use some extra help putting food on the table for your kids, you’re not alone. Learn about how CalFresh can help your family. Visit: www.BenefitsCal.com

Need some help buying groceries? Learn more about CalFresh: www.BenefitsCal.com

California households of 4 can receive an average of $713 a month to help parents afford groceries. www.BenefitsCal.com

If your income has changed recently, CalFresh can help with groceries. Learn more here: www.BenefitsCal.com

See if you are eligible for CalFresh by texting FOOD IE or COMIDA IE to 74544. Apply at www.BenefitsCal.com

CalFresh is safe to use for you and your family. Accessing CalFresh will not affect your immigration status. Visit: www.BenefitsCal.com

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Español

Si pudieras necesitar ayuda adicional para llevar comida a la mesa para tus hijos, no estás solo. Infórmate sobre cómo CalFresh puede ayudar a tu familia. Visítanos: www.BenefitsCal.com

¿Necesitas ayuda para comprar alimentos? Comprueba si eres elegible para CalFresh: www.BenefitsCal.com

Los hogares californianos de 4 personas pueden recibir un promedio de $713 al mes para ayudar a los padres a comprar alimentos. Más información: www.BenefitsCal.com

Si tus ingresos han cambiado recientemente, CalFresh puede ayudarte con los alimentos. Infórmate aquí: www.BenefitsCal.com

Averigua si eres elegible para recibir CalFresh enviando el mensaje de texto FOOD IE o COMIDA IE al 74544. Solicita en: www.BenefitsCal.com

CalFresh es seguro para ti y tu familia. El acceso a CalFresh no afectará tu estatus migratorio. Visita: www.BenefitsCal.com

To download free graphics (in both English and Spanish) to use on social media, copy/paste this link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/SanBernardinoCalFresh

10 of 14

Add a CalFresh Screening Tool & Application Button*

Parents regularly look to schools as a trusted source of information. Help your families connect to CalFresh by adding a link to your district, school and nutrition department websites. CalFresh graphics and links are free to use and promote through your networks. No need to connect to Social Services for permission! Here is how to get started:

1. Contact your website administrators and ask them to add a link to the mRelief CalFresh screening tool (snap.mrelief.com/GetFoodSupportNow) and CalFresh application (www.BenefitsCal.com).

2. Consider using templates and samples from our social media posts (pg 8).

3. Add a colorful “button” to your website to use as a link to.

WEBSITE OUTREACH

*CA Senate Bill 708 (Mendoza 2015) requires LEAs who have their school meal application available online to include CalFresh application link on their website.

QR Code to

CalFresh Screener

mRelief Logo

CalFresh Logo

11 of 14

11

San Bernardino Transitional Assistance

Department Offices

ADELANTO

10875 Rancho Road, Adelanto

APPLE VALLEY

13886 Central Road, Apple Valley

BARSTOW

1900 E. Main Street, Barstow

COLTON

1900 W. Valley Blvd, Colton

DEL ROSA

1895 Del Rosa Ave, San Bernardino

FONTANA

7977 Sierra Ave, Fontana

HESPERIA

9655 9th Street, Hesperia

NEEDLES

1090 E. Broadway Street, Needles

ONTARIO

1647 E. Holt Blvd, Ontario

ONTARIO (Medi-Cal)

1627 E. Holt Blvd, Ontario

RANCHO CUCAMONGA

10825 Arrow Route, Rancho Cucamonga

REDLANDS

1811 W. Lugonia Ave, Redlands

RIALTO

1175 W. Foothill Blvd, Rialto

SAN BERNARDINO 01

265 E. 4th Street, San Bernardino

SAN BERNARDINO 02

2740 Little Mountain Dr, San Bernardino

TWENTYNINE PALMS

73629 Sun Valley Dr, Twentynine Palms

VICTORVILLE

15010 Palmdale Road, Victorville

YUCAIPA

32353 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa

YUCCA VALLEY

56357 Pima Trail, Yucca Valley

12 of 14

12

FARSB's bilingual CalFresh team is ready to assist you in English or Spanish today. Register to request assistance and a member of our team will contact you shortly to discuss the details of your application, answer any questions, and get the application process started for you.

Visit Feeding America IE’s website at www.feedingamericaie.org/calfresh

Outreach

Get Assistance from Feeding America IE

13 of 14

Insert Custom Text

Insert Custom Text

Insert Custom Text

14 of 14

Insert Custom Text

Insert Custom Text

Insert Custom Text