Full Notification

As many of you are aware, the ongoing federal government shutdown may soon impact several key assistance programs that help families put food on the table. The State of New Jersey has informed us that if the shutdown continues, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for November 2025 may not be available on time. ​​​​​ The simple truth is that this situation is unacceptable and avoidable. Hoboken families, and families across the country, should never have to question how they’ll feed their children because of dysfunction in Washington.  

I urge the federal government to get its act together and end this shutdown immediately so that essential programs like SNAP can resume without delay. In the meantime, I am calling on the State of New Jersey to continue pressing the federal government for action and to explore every available option to provide emergency or wraparound support to residents who may be affected. 

Food insecurity affects more than one in ten Americans, a statistic that is frankly shameful in the richest country in the world. While programs such as Work First New Jersey (WFNJ), Child Care Assistance (CCAP), and Child Support Services are expected to continue without interruption, I recognize that any lapse in SNAP benefits will cause hardship for many people throughout the city.

SNAP Lapse 

According to the State, Hoboken residents who depend on SNAP could experience a temporary gap in assistance through no fault of their own due to the federal government shutdown. With over 1,700 households in Hoboken relying on SNAP every day, I can only imagine how distressing this situation must be for individuals and families already struggling to make ends meet. 

According to the NJ Department of Human Services, SNAP benefits loaded on Families First EBT cards before Oct. 31, will be available for use after Nov. 1, but residents are strongly encouraged to check their account at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 800 997-3333 before going to the grocery store after Nov. 1. If there are SNAP benefits in your NJ FamiliesFirst account, they are available for you to use.  

We do not yet know how long the federal government shutdown will last and when SNAP benefits will return. As such, residents are encouraged to buy shelf stable foods such as pasta, rice, as well as canned fruits and vegetables. When buying fresh produce, it is recommended to visit Good Food Bucks locations to double your SNAP benefits, as every $1 you spend from your EBT card you receive an extra $1 to use on fresh produce, according to NJ211. More information on the Good Food Bucks program can be found here: https://nj211.org/njsnap  

Please note, SNAP beneficiaries may receive eligibility notices, and your MyNJHelps case summary may show that you are eligible for November benefits. Even though you may receive an eligibility notice and the benefits show in your case summary, if the federal shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be posted to your Families First EBT card on time and fair hearings will not be scheduled for this issue. 

SNAP applications and recertifications will be processed. Community members should continue to submit requested information to ensure they get their benefits when the federal shutdown ends and SNAP funding once again becomes available. 

For the most current information, visit www.NJSNAP.GOV.

Local Resources 

Please know that your City stands with you, and we are actively working with our community partners and local organizations to ensure that no one in Hoboken goes hungry. 

If you or someone you know may be impacted, please contact the City’s Social Worker, Bianca Hoffer, who can help connect individuals with local resources and navigate benefit updates. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (201) 420-2000, Ext. 1083. 

Food Distribution 

The Hoboken Community Center’s food pantry, at 1301 Washington St., will host their monthly food distribution as follows: 

• Friday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at  
  • 1301 Washington St. 
  • Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand St. 
  • Hoboken Housing Authority, 221 Jackson St.  
• Friday, Nov. 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at  
  • 1301 Washington St. 
  • Multi-Service Center, 124 Grand St. 
  • Hoboken Housing Authority, 221 Jackson St.  

The HCC food pantry provides free groceries and household items to Hoboken residents in need, no questions asked. The pantry is seeking donations of shelf-stable foods. Monetary donations and volunteers are needed as well to help pack and distribute groceries. To learn more, make a donation, or sign up to volunteer, please visit https://hobokencc.org/.  

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 3, and continuing through Wednesday, Dec. 31, donations for the food pantry at the Hoboken Community Center may be made at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St. between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Items such as dried pasta, instant oatmeal, canned tuna, and canned chicken are especially appreciated. Community members can also donate full sized tubes of toothpaste, and bars of soap, as well as clean and dry tupperware or takeout containers.   

Residents seeking additional food assistance may also find helpful listings of food pantries, community meals, and emergency food programs throughout Hudson County and the region by visiting the following links: 

• St. Matthew’s Lunchtime Ministry at 731 Washington St. provides a hot meal Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Hoboken Shelter at 300 Bloomfield St., is open for meals from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, for  those experiencing homelessness, and low-income guests, no questions asked.  
• Community Food Bank of New Jersey provides an online list of local food pantries and resources at https://cfbnj.org/find-foods-services/ .  
• NJ Get Food This Week is a site provided by the State with available resources at  https://www.nj.gov/basicneeds/food/get-food-this-week.shtml 
• Hudson County Food Pantries and Meal Programs can be found online at  https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/hudson_county_food_pantries.html#google_vignette 

Community members can also check their eligibility for food programs administered through other agencies, such as the Work First New Jersey cash assistance program as well as school-based programs through the Hoboken Public School District for  children. 

Please continue to check with the State for updates on this developing situation as they will share information on the SNAP website at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/ 

I know this uncertainty is difficult, but Hoboken has always been a community that looks out for one another, and together, we will continue to do so during this federal shutdown that has left many of our neighbors without the support they rely on. 

If you are in a position to help, I encourage you to consider donating to or volunteering with the Hoboken Community Center’s food pantry.  You can also donate to the Hoboken Shelter by purchasing an item off its wish list which can be found here: Amazon Gift List, and you can make a donation to St. Matthew’s Lunchtime Ministry here: Amazon.com. Every contribution, whether it's time, food, or funds, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors 

We will continue to monitor this evolving situation closely and share updates from State and Federal agencies as they become available. 

Sincerely, 
Ravi S. Bhalla 
Mayor