As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, Bergen County will host an emergency food distribution event Nov. 6 at Overpeck County Park in Leonia to assist SNAP recipient households and furloughed federal employees.
With federal workers now entering a second month without paychecks and nearly 42,000 Bergen County residents facing a delay in SNAP benefits, the Bergen County Office of Food Security, in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, is mobilizing to meet the immediate needs of local families.
“We are coordinating emergency food drives with municipal partners in 51 Bergen County towns and counting,” said County Commissioner Tracy Zur. “If you have the ability to donate time, food or funds, please consider doing so. Our neighbors need us.”
In response to the federal government shutdown and freeze of SNAP benefits, the County of Bergen, in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, will hold an emergency food distribution on Thursday at Overpeck County Park for SNAP recipient households and furloughed federal employees in Bergen County.
To receive assistance, participants must provide physical proof of Bergen County residency and a valid SNAP/NJ Families First Card or Federal Employee ID Card
Because of the limited allocation for this distribution, eligibility guidelines will be strictly enforced.
Those seeking food are advised to enter Overpeck Park at 40 Fort Lee Road in Leonia. All other park entrances will be closed. Distribution will begin at around 10 a.m. in the Overpeck Amphitheater parking lot. The procedure is drive-thru only and participants must be in a vehicle to receive assistance.
Supplies are extremely limited, and assistance will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who arrive after supplies have been distributed, information about additional food assistance resources will be available from the Bergen County Office of Food Security.
Residents in need of food assistance can find a pantry near them using the Bergen County Food Pantry Finder at BergenFightsHunger.org/Food-Pantry-Finder.
