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As over 800,000 New Jersey citizens lose federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1, food banks and community pantries are prepared for a disaster. The stoppage, caused by the federal government shutdown, has alarmed families who depend on these subsidies for monthly food.
About 400,000 state households may be affected by the halt. Seniors, children, and disabled individuals are anxious about how they can purchase groceries in the following weeks. SNAP’s termination could force low-income families to use food banks, soup kitchens, and community organizations to survive.
Food aid groups call it an emergency. Fulfill and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey are stocking up in anticipation of a COVID-19-like pandemic surge. These groups’ leaders say they must increase their inventory to fulfill demand if government payments stop.
Governor Phil Murphy and state legislative leaders announced $42.5 million in emergency aid for food banks and pantries in New Jersey. According to local leaders, state revenues will not be enough to address the large gap left by federal SNAP cuts. The state provides modest additional payments to New Jersey’s $170 million monthly federal SNAP funding.
The government contingency fund is expressly earmarked for natural catastrophes, therefore the USDA cannot utilize it to maintain SNAP payments during the closure. State officials say the situation is a humanitarian crisis and have criticized this decision. New Jersey’s Attorney General, along with other states, is challenging the move as unlawful and harmful, punishing low-income individuals for Washington’s political deadlock.
The situation is personal for many families. Pennsauken resident Sharon Barton, who uses SNAP to buy groceries for herself and her daughter, fears being without options. She says her benefits usually run out before the month ends, but now with zero balance, she doesn’t know how they’ll manage.
Food bank executives in New Jersey describe a sharp increase in food insecurity before this announcement. Many believe food aid demand this year is up more than 50% from last year due to inflation and stagnating income. Drive-through food handouts, where volunteers load boxes of food into cars, are expected to reappear after the pandemic.
Officials and campaigners believe that SNAP cuts will affect more than food. Families may cut rent, utilities, or healthcare to pay meals. Thousands of New Jersey households are threatened by the closure, which has gone beyond politics.
Food banks need donations and volunteers to fight hunger while state leaders urge federal action. Experts say New Jersey faces the worst food insecurity issue since the pandemic due to high demand and no federal answer.
Sources
National Weather Service briefing, Philadelphia/Mount Holly office
New Jersey-based weather coverage from New Jersey 101.5
