Stephanie Spear A nationwide headline will hit home for many New Jerseyans this week. A consequence of the federal government shutdown is the lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income families. Thousands of New Jersey residents will be impacted by this, and at the same time, New Jersey has joined 19 other states in suing the Trump Administration over the issue. Bergen County has many local organizations dedicated to helping the community. The Bergen County Girl compiled this list of resources for families to find support, and for neighbors who want to contribute. Read on to find resources in Bergen County.
Editor’s note: We will add to this list as it grows. Please contact [email protected] for any additions or updates.
Background
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP benefits are a monthly food assistance program funded by the federal government, aiming to alleviate the impacts of food insecurity for qualifying low-income households. The US Department of Agriculture does not have a budget for fiscal year 2026, and has stated it will not use emergency funding to bridge the gap.
According to the NJ SNAP website, benefits are provided through a card that can be used at most grocery stores and some farmers’ markets. NJ SNAP has released a statement regarding the suspension of federal funding, noting that recipients with remaining benefits on their Families First EBT cards from the month of October may use those benefits in November.
Per a statement from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, more than 800,00 New Jersey residents receive SNAP benefits. According to a report from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, as of August 2025, 25,494 households, 28,700 adults, and 13,894 children received SNAP benefits in Bergen County. Per the same report, Bergen County saw a 1.1 percent increase in SNAP participation. The increase could be due to a variety of factors, including changing economic factors, program outreach, and changes in eligibility.
New Jersey is one of several states suing the Trump Administration over the lapse in benefits, joining a coalition of 22 other attorneys general, three governors, and the District of Columbia. “New Jersey families are being used as political pawns by the Trump Administration, which is illegally suspending SNAP and the critical assistance it provides to residents who are struggling with food insecurity,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This is especially devastating in the month of November, when families are gathering and demands on food banks and pantries are heaviest.”
As winter and the holiday season approach, the need at local pantries and shelters is especially high. With individuals and families around the state set to lose food-assistance benefits, the demand is even higher. For those experiencing food insecurity, TLG has assembled a list of resources throughout the state. For those in the position to donate, that information is included as well. On October 30th, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an effort to fund statewide food banks with an additional $4.25 million to bridge the gap in SNAP funding. “Food security work is intentionally broader in the 21st Century because the challenges that existing systems and practices place on people, interconnect,” said Office of the Food Security Executive Director Mark Dinglasan. “Still, the reality is the day-to-day work of food banks and food pantries, including the six Food & Hunger grantees and their networks of local agencies, is very much needed in every community and each of our 21 counties. The collaborative way in which our colleagues across the Governor’s office, state agencies and partners in the Legislature have expedited these funding disbursements is a testament to how the state cares for all New Jerseyans’ well-being.”
Statewide Resources
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Across the state, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey has a searchable directory where you can enter your ZIP code to find the nearest pantries and meal programs.
211 New Jersey is a free, confidential resource to connect residents to nonprofits, government agencies, and other groups.
Bergen County Resources
The Bergen County Office of Food Security offers an interactive Food Pantry Finder, allowing residents to locate their nearest food provider. Each entry includes contact information, hours of operation, and a link to the designated pantry’s website.
Here is a list of (just some) food pantry locations in Bergen County provided by the Bergen County Office of Food Security. This PDF here has a complete list of resources.
Buddies of New Jersey | 149 Hudson Street, Hackensack
What’s Needed: Non-perishable food, hygiene items, and monetary donations to support clients living with HIV/AIDS.
What’s Provided: Nutritional support and pantry services for people living with HIV/AIDS and local residents in need.
Center for Food Action | Saddle Brook, Englewood, Mahwah, Hackensack
What’s Needed: Canned proteins, rice, pasta, peanut butter, baby formula, diapers, supermarket gift cards, and hygiene products. Monetary donations are also accepted, and the center is always looking for volunteers.
What’s Provided: Emergency food packages (including produce and dairy when available), weekend snack packages, and referrals for housing or utility assistance.
The Food Brigade | 185 W Madison Avenue, Dumont + 555 Prospect Avenue, Ridgefield
What’s Needed: Shelf-stable staples, fresh produce, proteins, reusable bags. Volunteers are also welcome.
What’s Provided: A “community market”–style pantry where residents can select their own groceries, including fresh produce, frozen meats, and hygiene items.
Fair Lawn Food Pantry | 8-01 Fair Lawn Avenue, Fair Lawn
What’s Needed: Canned vegetables, beans, soups, rice, pasta, and boxed meals. Also accepts grocery store gift cards and monetary donations, which are used to purchase necessary items, fresh produce, and other perishable items
What’s Provided: Groceries for Fair Lawn residents facing financial hardship; confidential, walk-in support available during posted hours.
Family Promise of Bergen County | 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood
What’s Needed: Monetary donations, pantry staples, and fresh produce for meal programs.
What’s Provided: Prepared meals and grocery assistance for families experiencing homelessness or financial instability. There is also a Walk-In Dinner program, which provides free, nutritious meals to residents of the Bergen County homeless shelter and those in the community facing hunger.
Helping Hand Food Pantry | 349 Hillsdale Avenue, Hillsdale
What’s Needed: Cake and brownie mix, boxed potatoes, canned fruits and vegetables, applesauce, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, hot cereal, pancake mix, and syrup, flour, sugar, and oil, coffee and boxed milk, canned meat, meat sauce, jelly and juice, jello and pudding, cookies and crackers, personal care items, paper products, and supermarket gift items
What’s Provided: Weekly bags of non-perishables and, when available, fresh produce or household items for residents of Emerson, Hillsdale, Oradell, Montvale, Rivervale, Washington Township, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake.
Helping Hands Food Pantry | 191 The Plaza, Teaneck
What’s Needed: Cereal/oatmeal/pancake mix, parmalat/powdered milk, fruit juice, canned fish/meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter & jelly, hearty soup or stew, rice, pasta, and sauce
What’s Provided: Food packages for Teaneck residents; no one turned away in an emergency.
The Office of Concern at St. Cecilia’s | 55 W Demarest Avenue, Englewood
What’s Needed: Pasta, spaghetti, tomato sauce, tuna, mac & cheese, soup, oatmeal, peanut butter
What’s Provided: Weekly grocery bags with non-perishables, produce, and hygiene items for low-income Bergen County families.
Paramus Community Pantry | 105 N Farview Avenue, Paramus
What’s Needed: Laundry detergent, dish detergent, deodorant, shampoo, hair conditioner, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna, juices, mayonnaise, snacks, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, napkins, coffee, canned fruit, Chef Boyardee meals, salad dressing, and Progresso soup
What’s Provided: Groceries and household items for Paramus residents; emergency assistance available upon request
Tri-Boro Food Pantry | 65 Pascack Road, Park Ridge
What’s Needed: Soups, pasta, cereals, canned vegetables, snacks, and household cleaning products
What’s Provided: Food assistance for residents of Park Ridge, Montvale, and Woodcliff Lake
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