A Message on SNAP and NJ’s Looming Food Security Crisis

By Executive Director Heather Thompson

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

I am writing to you on a truly somber note as the looming food insecurity crisis draws near. At this very moment, food pantries and emergency food providers across New Jersey are facing growing and unprecedented demand as the ongoing federal shutdown delays SNAP benefits. Based on what we know now, beginning on November 1 over 800,000 New Jersey residents – families with children; working folks like teachers and restaurant servers; senior citizens and veterans – will not have their SNAP cards filled until further notice.

As a result, lines at pantries are already growing longer by the day – and our 300+ community partners are reaching out to us every day, desperate for more fresh food to support the growing need.

Rescuing and delivering free, surplus food to communities in need is Table to Table’s core mission and daily work. And as need spikes in our communities, we are doubling down. Our drivers are working overtime, picking up surplus fresh food from farms, distributors, meal kit companies, and supermarkets. Our devoted ‘Food Rescue Hero’ volunteers are running rescues 7 days a week to pick up food from local markets, cafeterias, and restaurants, and delivering directly to nearby partners.

Everyone can play a role to rescue food and feed our neighbors during this time – including you.

Every single dollar you donate provides the resources to rescue and deliver food for another 10 meals. A donation of $344 funds a refrigerated truck and driver for a full day, rescuing enough fresh food for thousands of meals. If you are in a position to give, please know that your gift will go to work immediately to feed neighbors right here in New Jersey.

And, there are plenty of other ways you can get involved:

Individuals and Families

• Volunteer to run food rescues via our I-Rescue App (flexible schedule, each rescue takes an hour or less)
• Host a neighborhood fresh food drive, and we’ll come pick it up
• Make a donation

Corporations and Community/Civic Organizations

• Rally your employees/members to volunteer for a food distribution, an I-Rescue App takeover, or a day of making bagged meals
• Make a contribution or organize an employee giving campaign
• Host a produce or turkey drive        

Food Businesses and Restaurants

• Connect with us to donate surplus food to community partners – we’ll pick up from your location for free, and safely deliver to a nearby pantry or shelter
• If you’re planning to offer free food or meals for your neighbors during this time, we’re happy to help transport and distribute

Schools

• Host a produce or turkey drive (if you’ve already hosted one – THANK YOU!)
• Connect with us for cafeteria rescues