Table to Table Statement on Federal Government Shutdown & SNAP Benefits

November 1 is around the corner, and over 800,000 NJ residents do not know whether their SNAP cards will be refilled.  

The federal government shutdown could impact hundreds of thousands of working folks, families with children, veterans, and senior citizens here in New Jersey who rely on SNAP to get food on the table.   

Coupled with furloughs for military and government workers, rising healthcare and housing costs, and ongoing inflation, more and more of our neighbors are facing unprecedented strain – and they are turning to their local food pantries for help. 

Especially with the holidays coming, we are working seven days a week to supply as much free, fresh food as possible to our network of 300 pantries, community kitchens, and social service agencies – rescuing surplus from food donor partners ranging from HelloFresh and Driscoll Foods, to major grocery stores, to local farmers markets and school cafeterias. And you can help.  

Do you have connections to a food business? Introduce us! Do you have a little extra time on your hands? Download our I-Rescue App and help run rescues where you live or work. Are you in an office, part of a faith or civic group, club, Scout troop, or school community? Coordinate with us to organize a produce or turkey drive – we’ll pick up everything and deliver directly to local pantries. 

And if you or someone you know is facing hardships right now and you need help finding food, visit https://nj211.org/njsnap and click on Supplemental Food Resources. 

Together, we will continue our daily commitment to turn surplus into sustenance for our community. 

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Below is flier from the New Jersey Department of Human Services regarding the federal government shutdown and NJ SNAP food assistance in English and Spanish.