Oct 16, 2025

 

Dear Members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation:

We are writing to share our serious concerns that due to the current lapse in appropriations, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently alerted all regional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Directors that there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits, impacting approximately 42 million individuals across America.

As leaders of New Jersey’s five food banks, we are calling on our congressional delegation to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully funded, regardless of the status of the government shutdown over the next several weeks.

As you may know, SNAP is the single most effective tool our nation has to fight hunger. Any interruption in benefits would have devastating consequences for the more than 850,000 New Jersey residents who rely on the program to put food on their table – including children, seniors, veterans, and working families.

While our food banks continue to meet record levels of demand, we cannot replace the power or scale of SNAP. The federal program provides nine times the amount of food distributed by all New Jersey food banks combined. If SNAP benefits are delayed or reduced, families across the state will face impossible choices, and our network will face an unsustainable surge in need.

We know tough decisions must be made in Washington, but cutting food benefits for our most vulnerable residents should never be one of them. Ensuring the SNAP program continues without interruption is essential to preventing widespread hunger, protecting local economies, and preserving the dignity of New Jersey families.

We urge every member of our congressional delegation to stand together and protect this critical lifeline during the shutdown. Hunger cannot wait.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time to discuss this matter.

 

Respectfully,

 

Elizabeth McCarthy
President & CEO
Community FoodBank of New Jersey

Fred C. Wasiak
President & CEO
Food Bank of South Jersey

Triada Stampas
CEO and President
Fulfill

Bernie Flynn
President & CEO
Mercer Street Friends

Mark Valli
President & CEO
NORWESCAP