PACKING UP: Volunteers at the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry on North Harrison Street prepare deliveries to be made on Wednesday, November 12. The food pantry is one of many in the area feeling an increased demand due to a government shutdown that has resulted in frozen or delayed Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Mobile Food Pantry).
By Wendy Greenberg
Despite signs that the recent government shutdown will be at least temporarily settled, area food pantries and agencies have been weathering increased demand since the shutdown delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. But, the social service agencies are committed to continue meeting area residents’ needs, especially into the Thanksgiving and holiday season.
The SNAP benefits were supposed to have been restored for New Jersey residents late last week, but court cases continue, and the recent high demand could mean residual effects. New Jersey Commissioner of the Department of Human Services Sarah Adelman cautions on the New Jersey.gov website, “Make no mistake — there will be a lasting impact for many families, as well as our food banks and pantries. Our spirit of generosity is still needed.”
Maureen Hunt, executive director of Arm In Arm, said, “Benefits were supposedly put on NJ SNAP recipient cards, but nobody knows what will happen in the future. Every day there seems to be a new wrinkle.”
Hunt said Arm In Arm activity saw an uptick last week, and added hours at several food bank locations. Other area food banks and social service agencies called, seeking supplies. Arm In Arm saw a 25 to 30 percent increase in pantry distribution, according to Hunt.
Arm In Arm serves clients through pick-up at multiple pantry locations in Trenton and Princeton, including mobile throughout Trenton. According to the website, 24 staff members and hundreds of volunteers welcome more than 6,000 families to food pantries.
The agency had already seen an increase from 250 visits each week from July to October, before the SNAP crisis, said Hunt.
As a result, Arm In Arm has expanded food services and hours, including the Mobile Pantry at Lawrenceville Library, which is now open on Mondays from 2 to 5 p.m., and at the Hudson Food Pantry, Trenton, open Monday and Wednesday for clients to receive food from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hours and locations are detailed at arminarm.org/preventing-hunger. Hours in Princeton, at 61 Nassau Street, are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, 1 to 7 p.m.
The food pantry at 48 Hudson Street, Trenton, will be open for new families on Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hunt also expressed concern that the SNAP crisis “put more pressure on populations that are struggling,” and lauded the community for stepping up with donations and support.
“The community has been incredible,” she said. “When a crisis happens, a community comes together … I ask people to stay with us, we anticipated this happening, and even if SNAP benefits are restored, we need to support people down the road. We still need volunteers, food, and donations. We are prepared to see this through.”
Joe Lawler, director of the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry, said that pantry is also seeing increased demand. Last week, he said, “We delivered to 10 additional families in Hopewell Valley, an increase of 8.2 percent. We had 28 more families come to our Saturday Grab and Go than we see on average, an increase of 31 percent.” In total, that is a 20 percent increase in just that week.
“We have been flooded with requests from people who live outside our delivery area looking for assistance,” he said. “Normally we have to turn one family away each week, last week we turned away 15 families.”
He said it costs the pantry an average of $15 each week to serve a family, “so last week alone, we had to spend an extra $420 providing assistance to those whose SNAP benefits have been suspended.”
He called the response from the community “heartening.” The local faith communities are making special appeals in their announcements and from the pulpit, and local mayors are helping spread the word. As a result, noted Lawler, there has been a “tremendous increase in the amount of food dropped off in our collection bin at 425 South Main Street in Pennington,” and in online donations.
The entirely volunteer-run organization collects, sorts, packages, and delivers groceries and fresh produce weekly to neighbors throughout Hopewell Valley. More information can be found at hvymca.org/pantry.
The Millhill Food Drive in Trenton’s Millhill neighborhood, detailed on the Facebook page of the Millhill Child & Family Development Corporation, states that “this year, families in our community are facing unprecedented challenges due to the current shutdowns, and we want to support them during this difficult time.”
Angie McManimon, director of development and communications for the organization, noted an increase in need. “Yes, we are seeing the need not just with food, but also with other essential items like coats, clothing, and shoes,” she wrote in an email. “What’s happening is families are using money they would have used on other essential items for food. You can go without a coat, but you can’t not eat. “
Dropoff is between November 17 and November 20 at the Millhilll Child & Family Development offices, 101 Oakland Street, Trenton.
Princeton Public Schools started a food drive on November 3, to “help bolster the shelves of some of our local food assistance efforts within Princeton, including the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry and Cornerstone Community Kitchen.” The district has set up bins at all schools to receive donations, boxes for canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, and personal care items.
The Lawrence Township Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 209 ran a food drive to help stock shelves for HomeFront, whose Choice Market food pantry is open at 1880 Princeton Avenue, Lawrence Township, on Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday, 2 to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
HomeFront’s website has a message that states, “Not only will the lapse of SNAP benefits affect families’ ability to put food on the table, it’ll also threaten their stability in other ways, as they face impossible tradeoffs between groceries, rent, and other essentials. Even if benefits are restored, families will experience ripple effects.” Information on how to help or be helped is at homefrontnj.org/Get-Help.
A spokesperson from the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry (PMFP) echoed others when she said that “we have seen a definite increase.” Amy Lansky noted that PMFP purchases groceries, packs, and delivers them on Wednesdays. In the past two weeks alone, PMFP saw 15 more orders. This time last year there were 265, and Wednesday ‘s number will be 358.
Lansky said she can’t attribute it all to the SNAP benefits crisis, but most of the increase in volume has been in the past couple weeks.
“Nothing will change for us,” she said. The privately funded PMFP connects with referrals, or people can sign up at pmfpantry.org.
“The wonderful community donates shelf stable items, and works with McCaffrey’s market for discounts and buying by bulk,” she said, with a focus on fresh proteins and produce, but dry items help stretch a meal.
“I can’t imagine anything changing this time of year,” she said, pointing out that many seasonal workers need help now. PMFP is looking for volunteers to pack orders and deliver, as well as monetary donations, and dry goods always welcome.
Ross Wishnick, president of Send Hunger Packing Princeton, noted that the organization is experiencing a moderate increase in demand. Its primary initiative is on providing fresh produce to students and families who request participation, and it has “been diligent in keeping our free pantries stocked.” Free pantries are at the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Community Village, Princeton Nursey School, Princeton YMCA and YWCA, Princeton Municipal Building and Princeton Housing Authority. Visit shupprinceton.org for more information.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture continues to encourage individual and corporate contributions to support local food banks and pantries at this time. The state suggests SNAP food assistance recipients check their accounts at NJFamiliesFirst.com, or by calling (800) 997-3333. They can also visit visit njsnap.gov or NJ.gov/SNAPshutdown.
For resources in Mercer County, there is the Mercer County Free Food Finder at mercerfoodfinder.herokuapp.com.