Emergency Food Drops Provide Lifelines to Local Communities
Taylor Hillo
POWERED by Edison Writer
Contributors
Photo Credit: Community Service Solutions
Published on December 2, 2025
A forecast of rain turned into a heavy snowstorm, trapping Amanda Philips and her team on Highway 6 while they were on a mission to deliver essential food and groceries across Mono County. Chain restrictions blocked their first stop in Benton, delaying their plans.
“We were surrounded by blowing snow,” recalled Philips, executive director of Community Service Solutions (CSS) in Minden. “We ended up spending the night on the roadside with a line of tractor trailers also stuck.”
With only a few days to work, the three-person crew refused to let one sleepless night derail their mission. By morning, the snow had softened to four inches of wet slush, lifting the restrictions and allowing them back on the road.
Although this was their first emergency food distribution effort of this scale, Philips stepped in when the need in her community became urgent.
“Our organization usually operates quietly behind the scenes, but the government shutdown and CalFresh pause have created an unprecedented demand,” Philips explained. “Many people are turning to food donations for the first time. Even when it isn’t our program, our policy is to help.”
In just two weeks, Philips coordinated weekly Costco food deliveries from Reno, secured a large refrigeration truck from Nevada, and filled it with fresh groceries for their initial outing.
The operation unfolded as a three-trip delivery plan, visiting all major communities in the county: Mammoth Lakes, Benton, Chalfant, June Lake, Bridgeport, Walker, and Lee Vining.
“When we arrived in Mammoth, we expected 40–50 families,” Philips said. “We found 113 people waiting. We kept the doors open for an extra hour rather than turning anyone away.”
Sensing the broader need across Edison International’s service area, the Edison International Foundation contributed $20,000 to CSS and 11 other local organizations addressing food insecurity.
“Recognizing the urgency of the situation, we felt compelled to act,” said Liz Seelman, director of Corporate Relations and Philanthropy at Edison International. “After learning about the extraordinary efforts led by Amanda and other groups to support families in crisis, we chose to stand with them. We deeply appreciate the chance to contribute and help create meaningful impact during this critical moment.”
Edison’s donation nearly covered the entire November drop-off efforts by Philips’ team. In just one week, they logged over 1,000 miles delivering food across the Eastern Sierra. A final delivery of the year is planned for mid-December.
“This work is profoundly meaningful, and the gratitude from the people we serve is a powerful motivator,” Philips reflected. “We’re genuinely grateful for the opportunity to help, and I’m thankful for Edison’s faith in our ability to deliver tangible support to those in need.”
Would you support more frequent, larger-scale food-relief operations in your region, or do you think temporary, crisis-driven efforts are enough to address ongoing hunger?
