Governor Newsom deploys California National Guard for COVID-19 help

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION)

California Governor Gavin Newsom is deploying the California National Guard to help the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor announced Friday night.

Newsom writes that the first order of business for the National Guard is food distribution.

“It’s in these times of crisis that Californians are at their best, coming to the aid of those in their community who are most in need. Food banks provide a critical lifeline for families, and are needed now more than ever," he's quoted as saying in the announcement.

The Governor's Office says that COVID-19 has caused food banks to suffer a significant decline in volunteers, which has impacted their infrastructure and distribution abilities. Food banks have been scrambling to assist vulnerable populations and families with children as school remain closed.

The California Guard will start with personnel and logistical equipment at a food bank distribution warehouse in Sacramento County, Friday. They are instructed to conduct site assessments statewide for counties that have request short-term support and stabilization.

On Thursday, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) told KION, "this is a disaster that doesn't draw people out. We are asking them to stay home. So although ( 2nd Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County) has enough food, the executive director of that food bank said they need people. That's why I called for the National Guard to help out going into the food bank and then delivering the food to people that need it the most and in our community," he tells KION.

That same day, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors wrote to Governor Newsom asking to make sure there are enough resources to keep "necessary supplies, food and water"available. The letter was titled: "COVID-19 Pandemic: Shortage of Food and Supplies."

The Governor's Office says this effort by the California Guard "allows time to mobilize AmeriCorps, California Conservation Corps and Local Conservation Corps members, and other volunteers where counties have identified serious gaps."

Governor Newsom's announcement also includes the launch of the  Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign. The state is partnering with social networking service Nextdoor to distribute COVID-19 information to more than 22,000 neighborhoods. Newsom's office says people will be able to use the site to check in with each other and "share ways to safely ensure community members have the basic necessities they may need during periods of home isolation."

The program is focused on older adults. It will be run by California Volunteers, the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering and civic action.

California Volunteers resouces:

https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/

https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2020/03/CA-COVID-FOOD-Resources.pdf

This is a developing story.

Read the full announcement here.