The Jersey Shore Girl Team 
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 monthly benefits to help low-income families buy groceries. 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. Read on to find resources in your area and places to donate food supplies at the Jersey Shore.
Editor’s note: We will add to this list as it grows. Please contact [email protected] for any additions or updates.
Background
As winter and the holiday season approach, the need at local pantries and shelters is especially high. At the same time, a major federal benefit program that supports low-income families is set to run out of funding on November 1st. 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.
A 2022 study from the USDA shared that in fiscal year (FY) 2022, 845,061 people in 440,186 households received SNAP benefits in New Jersey. In 2025, per a statement from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, more than 800,00 New Jersey residents receive SNAP benefits.
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.”
For those experiencing food insecurity, The Jersey Shore Girl has assembled a list of resources throughout the state for neighbors who need help and neighbors who are in a position to donate.
Read More: A Guide to Wildfire Resources at the Jersey Shore
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 on the website.
A free, confidential resource to connect residents to nonprofits, government agencies, and other groups.
Local Resources
Monmouth County
Belmar Food Pantry | 1000 17th Avenue, Belmar
What’s Needed: Cheese (any kind), toiletries, condiments, and kid’s cereal
What’s Provided: Food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10AM-Noon.
Bradley Food Pantry | 101 3rd Avenue, Neptune City
What’s Needed: shelf-stable food and personal care products
What’s Provided: Grocery support for residents in Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Neptune, Avon, Belmar, and Spring Lake.
Greater Emmanuel Food Pantry | 423 Drummond Avenue, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: Shelf-stable dry goods including rice, beans, cereal, pasta, tomato sauce, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, and mac and cheese. The pantry also accepts monetary donations.
What’s Provided: The pantry distributes free food on Wednesdays from 2PM-4PM.
Jersey Shore Dream Center Mobile Pantry | Mobile
What’s Needed: Volunteers to travel alongside the Dream Center truck to assist with distribution. The mobile pantry also accepts monetary and vehicle donations for food and volunteer transportation.
What’s Provided: Hunger relief, toiletries, and clothing items. The mobile pantry also offers holiday and community meals.
Jewish Family Services Nourish Asbury Food Pantry | 705 Summerfield Avenue, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: While there are no specific food donation requests on the pantry’s website, it is in need of volunteers for their Kosher Meals on Wheels program to deliver food and accepts monetary donations. Find more information about volunteer opportunities and ways to donate here.
What’s Provided: Kosher Meals on Wheels for home-bound individuals, a holiday food program, and food pantry distribution on Fridays beginning at 8AM.
Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry | 42 Elizabeth Street, Keyport
What’s Needed: Pasta, pasta sauce, canned vegetables/fruit, peanut butter, paper goods.
What’s Provided: Emergency food distribution for Keyport residents (Tuesday & Thursday mornings). Picture ID and Proof of Residence required.
Lunch Break Food Pantry | 121 Drs James Parker Boulevard, Red Bank
What’s Needed: Shelf-stable staples (cereals, pasta, beans), personal care items, kitchen supplies (dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, etc.)
What’s Provided: Serves free, hot meals to the community daily using fresh, seasonal ingredients. There is also a client-choice food pantry, six days a week, for Monmouth County residents.
Manasquan Food Pantry | 16 Virginia Avenue, Manasquan
What’s Needed: Canned beans, white rice (non-instant), canned vegetables/fruit, pancake mix and syrup, baby food, shampoo, and paper towels. Aldi and ShopRite gift cards are also appreciated.
What’s Provided: Food bags for residents of Manasquan, Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, and Spring Lake Heights
Mercy Center | 1106 Main Street, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: The food pantry has an Amazon wishlist that includes needed items here to have items delivered directly to the center. The center also accepts monetary donations on their website and offers volunteer opportunities.
What’s Provided: Mercy’s food pantry is open every weekday. The organization also has an emergency services program that offers food, personal care items, and clothing.
Oceans Family Success Center | 1004 Comstock Street (first floor), Asbury Park
What’s Needed: The Oceans Family Success Center accepts monetary donations and volunteers.
What’s Provided: Social, wellness, and educational programs for all ages and weekly free suppers on Wednesday nights from 5PM – 7PM.
Saint Paul’s Methodist Church | 80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove
What’s Needed: There are no specific item donation requests, but volunteer programs run by the Church can be found here.
What’s Provided: St Paul’s will be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner open to the community. It is not required to sign up but encouraged for planning purposes.
Salvation Army Pantry | 605 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: Volunteers, donations of non-perishable food items and fresh produce, and monetary donations.
What’s Provided: Grocery items and meals on Thursday mornings from 9AM-11AM.
St. Brigid’s Pantry at St. James Church | 300 Broadway, Long Branch
What’s Needed: Canned proteins (tuna, chicken), boxed cereal, canned soups, baby diapers/food.
What’s Provided: Food bags for low/moderate-income families in the Long Branch area.
Trinity Episcopal Church Center for Community | 503 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: The program accepts monetary donations and volunteer sign-ups.
What’s Provided: Saturday soup community meals from 9:30AM-2:30PM and Tuesday food pantry. The Trinity Center also offers a “Code Blue” program inviting community members to stay overnight in its building when temperatures drop below freezing.
United Fellowship Baptist Church Pantry | 605 Third Avenue, Asbury Park
What’s Needed: Most needed items include canned tuna, chicken and salmon; canned fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat canned meals (such as chili or ravioli), pancake mix, hot and cold cereals, cooking oils, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter and jelly, and canned soups. The pantry requests no glass containers. The pantry also accepts monetary donations and volunteer opportunities, more information can be found here.
What’s Provided: Food pantries on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9:30AM-11:30AM.
Ocean County
The B.E.A.T. Center – People’s Pantry | 1769 Hooper Avenue, Toms River
What’s Needed: Non-perishable foods, fresh produce when available, and volunteers for distribution.
What’s Provided: Client-choice grocery options and mobile pantry services for Ocean County.
Church of Grace & Peace Food Pantry | Toms River
What’s Needed: Frozen meals, snacks, pet food, canned vegetables, tuna, and chicken.
What’s Provided: Food distribution once a week for Ocean County residents, including fresh produce when available. Recipients are advised to bring their own shopping bags.
Lacey Food Bank, Inc. | Forked River
What’s Needed: Non-perishable groceries, personal-care items, diapers, toilet paper, cleaning supplies.
What’s Provided: Food pantry for residents in Lacey Township can access the food pantry from Monday through Saturday, 10AM – 12PM. The official November distribution day is on November 20th from 9AM to 11AM. The pantry advises attendees to bring their own reusable grocery bags.
St. Gregory’s Food Pantry | Point Pleasant Beach
What’s Needed: Paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, and Thanksgiving food items.
What’s Provided: Monthly grocery assistance for local families in Point Pleasant Beach and nearby towns. The pantry is open 5 days a week and special distribution events can be found on the calendar here.
See More: Where to Donate Food in Hoboken + Jersey City
St. Mary’s Pantry – St. Vincent de Paul | 747 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat
What’s Needed: Shelf-stable items, bread and bakery donations, hygiene kits, supermarket gift cards.
What’s Provided: Food pantry support for Barnegat and surrounding Southern Ocean County households.
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