When the Trump administration threatened to suspend SNAP and WIC benefits during the federal government shutdown late in 2025, local food programs responded with more outreach and information. Donors and corporate sponsors also stepped up.
Author Archives: Haleemon Anderson
Haleemon Anderson is a native New Orleanian who had lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life before coming to the Coachella Valley. She has returned to reporting full-time as a California Local News Fellow, after teaching high school English and journalism. She is a master's candidate in specialized journalism at USC Annenberg. Anderson received her early training as a writer/editor at Los Angeles City College and has written for various L.A.-based publications including the Los Angeles Times, NBC-LA, The Watts Times, Black Radio Exclusive and Inglewood News, covering arts, entertainment, sports, politics and community news. Coming to the Independent is a full circle moment for the self-professed “humanities geek.” You are likely to find her vibing to loud live music, preferably outside, in her spare time.
