Military Food Pantry Opens Near Mountain View as PPIC Polls Voters

A Bay Area nonprofit has opened a new food pantry near Mountain View to assist military families facing high living costs, while a statewide Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) poll found 80% of Californians anticipating difficult economic conditions and two California sisters spoke out after their around-the-world residential cruise ship suspended operations in Cambodia, according to Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 reports from NBC Bay Area, KALW 91.7 / CapRadio, and KTVU FOX 2.

Cost of Courage Foundation Opens Military Family Food Pantry Near Mountain View

The all-volunteer Cost of Courage Foundation celebrated the grand opening of its newest food pantry near Mountain View on Tuesday, expanding its Bay Area food distribution network for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families experiencing financial hardship.

According to NBC Bay Area, the new South Bay pantry stocks fresh groceries, personal care products, and household essentials at no cost to military households struggling to make ends meet, complementing the foundation's regional food assistance and financial support programs.

PPIC Poll: 80% Predict Tough Economy as 71% of Democrats Express High Midterm Enthusiasm

Meanwhile, a new survey of more than 1,700 California adults conducted earlier this month by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found broad economic anxiety ahead of Election Day, according to Chris Felts of CapRadio:

• Economic Outlook: 80% (8 in 10) of respondents predicted bad economic conditions across both California and the United States over the next year.
• Partisan Enthusiasm Gap: PPIC survey director Mark Baldassare reported that 71% of likely Democratic voters are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year, compared with 46% of likely Republican voters.
• Presidential Job Approval: 78% of California respondents disapproved of President Donald Trump's job performance, citing the economy, federal enforcement policies, and the war involving Iran.

California Sisters Among 203 Passengers on Stranded MV Odyssey in Cambodia

That conflict in the Strait of Hormuz was also cited by Florida-based cruise operator Villa Vie Residences after it abruptly suspended the global voyage of the MV Odyssey in the port of Sihanoukville in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia, stranding 203 passengers and 156 crew members aboard the 650-capacity vessel (built in 1993, purchased by Villa Vie in 2023, and refitted in Belfast in October 2024 for a voyage initially scheduled through 2028 and a second cruise through August 2030).

Among those aboard are California sisters Carol Larson, 69, and Crystal Lavering, 72, who have lived in separate cabins for 18 months. While lifetime suites started at $230,000, Larson purchased her cabin for $120,000 in installments plus monthly fees under a 15-year residency agreement. Villa Vie stated Tuesday that monthly fuel expenses per cabin jumped from a historical average of $1,800 to between $6,000 and $8,000 in Asia, though fellow passengers Laurie Poss and Lynn and Paul Montoya (who boarded 17 months ago in Panama and said residents were given 7 hours to pack after requests for extra fuel contributions every 2 to 4 weeks) attributed the halt to broader financial mismanagement. Preah Sihanouk Deputy Governor Long Dimanche said the ship arrived last Friday, missed a scheduled Wednesday departure, and could refuel by Saturday.