San Benito County, California – March 31, 2020: The San Benito County Board of Supervisors authorized the Office of Emergency Service to request the National Guard to assist and support the Community Food Pantries on-going humanitarian mission in San Benito County.
The National Guard will begin their humanitarian mission in San Benito County on Friday, April 3rd at the Community Food Pantry. They will assist with sorting, packing and food distribution, providing critical assistance to the residents of San Benito County.
The National Guard has a duty post locally at the Hollister Airport at the National Guard Armory. The National Guard exists in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. The state, territory or district leadership are the Commanders in Chief for each Guard. Their Adjutants General are answerable to them for the training and readiness of the units.
At the state level, the governors reserve the ability, under the Constitution of the United States, to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need.
The Army National Guard's state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known. Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Guard units responding to battle fires or helping communities deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms or other emergency situations. In times of civil unrest, the citizens of a state can rest assured that the Guard will be ready to respond, if needed.
Prepared/distributed by: David Westrick, Press Information Officer, San Benito County
