Photo by Neidy Gutierrez / SOC Images.
On Friday Oct. 31, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency after the Trump administration suspended the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Saturday, Nov. 1.
It’s been over four weeks since the government shutdown began and now more than 42 million Americans, including roughly 827,200 New Jerseyans, who rely on SNAP benefits, will not receive benefits this month.
SNAP allows families and individuals to afford nutritious food to help with household food insecurities. The pause of benefits affects about 400,000 New Jersey households where almost half are children, roughly one in three are individuals with a disability and one in five are over the age of 60.
New Jersey’s Reaction to SNAP Benefits Suspension
Murphy said in a statement that the Trump administration’s decision to suspend benefits “has created a clear and present threat to the health and safety” of New Jersey residents.
“We will not stand by while families face hunger. That is why our state will mobilize every available resource to strengthen our food access networks banks, protect vulnerable communities, and ensure that every resident has access to the meals they need,” the governor said in a statement.
Although new federal funds have not been added, SNAP recipients can still use funds that have carried over from previous months. Individuals that receive a state benefit will continue to receive their amount.
Children from families enrolled in SNAP will continue receiving free school meals. Any student who does not currently receive free school meals can learn more about the program here and should contact their school district to complete an application.
New Jersey is one of the 25 states suing President Donald Trump’s administration for the “unlawful” suspension of funding for SNAP benefits.
“USDA suspended SNAP benefits even though, on information and
belief, it has funds available to it that are sufficient to fund all, or at least a substantial portion, of November SNAP benefits,” says the lawsuit. “Suspending SNAP benefits in these circumstances is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act.”
Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 401 last week, which establishes a Task Force on the Federal Suspension of SNAP Benefits. The Task Force is responsible for:
- Monitoring the consequences of the federal government’s failure to fund SNAP to determine how best to deploy available resources
- Keep in communication with all 21 County Boards of Social Services and State-funded Emergency Food Organizations
- Compile resources for residents who have had their SNAP benefits cut to access affordable or free food
- Make recommendations to alleviate the health and economic impacts of the federal suspension of SNAP benefits on residents and on the food industry, including farmers, grocers, and farmers’ markets
- Explore and coordinate philanthropic donations to assist individuals and families in need
Last week, Murphy alongside the Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin announced that the state will provide an advanced $42.5 million of the $85 million in food and hunger grants to Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs) or food banks.
Local Resources To Explore For Those In Need
Since the announcement of the SNAP suspension, dozens of New Jersey and Hudson County residents have mobilized to fill in any gaps for community members who will be affected by the stoppage.
Slice of Culture has gathered a number of resources below. If you know any other local food pantries or resources, email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram at @sliceofculture.
For New Jersey resources, you can locate Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) partnered food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout the state, visit their website and type in your zip code.
You could also visit NJ211.org to find food pantries and soup kitchens throughout New Jersey.
The County of Hudson County, along with the community, has geared up their efforts to support one another by sharing resources and donating to local food pantries.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the Board of County Commissioners are working with local towns, food pantries and non-profits to ensure locals don’t go hungry. You can find more information on their website.
The Hudson County Executive Office is also collaborating with The Historic Downtown Jersey SID to help feed Hudson County residents. You can donate on Thursday, Nov. 6 at the HDSID Farmer’s Market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Grove PATH Plaza. Businesses interested in participating can contact [email protected] or call their office to receive a box.
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack has a food pantry in Union City open for North Hudson residents (Union City, West New York, Weehawken Guttenberg, North Bergen and Secaucus) who may need food assistance. Anyone who needs help can contact 201-376-1942.
Some universities and colleges may also offer food pantries. Hudson County Community College and New Jersey City University have an accessible food pantry for all current students, faculty and staff.
For more Hudson County food pantries, click here or check out Hunger Free UIC’s Instagram for a list updated by them in October. A Google Excel sheet has also been created by a Jersey City Facebook Group for Jersey City food accessible food pantries.
Jersey City Mutual Aid Society, a volunteer-run organization, is collecting donation items like diapers, menstrual products and hygiene products which they distribute to Jersey City residents in need of them. You can schedule a pickup of your donation or buy items from their registry. Their website holds more information on ways to get help and sign up to volunteer.
There are also local community food fridges in Jersey City and Newark where residents can donate food and grab necessary items.
Jersey City Community Food Fridge:
- West Side Community Fridge | 214 Delaware Avenue, Jersey City
- Greenville Community Fridge | 57 Rose Avenue, Jersey City
- Chilis on Wheels | 275 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City
Newark Community Food Fridge:
- United Community Corporation Newark
- 332 S 8th Street, Newark
- 31 Fulton Street, Newark
- 39 Broadway, Newark
Fresh by UJAMAA Cafe provides free weekly produce for the public on Wednesdays in Bayonne and Jersey City and on Thursdays in North Bergen.
Locations:
- Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation | Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. | 555 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne
- Jersey City Public Library Cunningham Branch | Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | 275 Martin Luther King Dr, Jersey City
- North Bergen Kennedy Branch Library | Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | 1231 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen
Reserve your free spot by downloading the Plentiful App and searching Fresh by Ujamaa Cafe and follow their Instagram to keep updated on more locations coming soon.
Although on Monday, Nov. 3, the Trump administration announced that it will provide partial SNAP benefits through November after two federal judges ordered them, specifically the Department of Agriculture, to continue SNAP funding, it’s unclear how long the program’s suspension will last. Benefits can’t be issued until the government resumes or other federal funding is provided.
To stay up to date, check back at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/.
