Food Assistance-COVID-19

Congress' second relief bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was signed into law mid-March, strengthened food security initiatives, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), student meals, senior’s nutrition and food banks. Specifically, the bill:

  • Adds $400 million to the Commodity Assistance Program’s Emergency Food Assistance Program;

  • Adds $500 million to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC);

  • $250 million to provide food services for older Americans;

  • Provides families emergency food assistance in the event of a prolonged school closure. For more information click here.

Congress' third relief bill, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law at the end of March, provided $8.8 billion for child nutrition programs in the form of additional funding for food purchases and demonstration projects to increase flexibility for schools. Specifically, the bill supports the administration of existing benefits by allocating:

  • $15.51 billion for SNAP;

  • $450 million for commodities and distribution of emergency food assistance through community partners, including food banks.

Food Assistance Programs in South Jersey

NJ food bank locations can be found here.

South Jersey food assistance: 

  • Catholic Charities Food Assistance: (856) 845-9200

  • Food Bank of South Jersey: (856) 662-4884

  • Salvation Army Food Banks: (856) 379-6900

  • South Jersey Food bank locations: (856) 662-4884

  • Touch New Jersey Food Pantry: (856) 803-3030

  • Samost Jewish Family & Children's Service: (856) 424-1333

If you or an elderly family is in need of food, reach out to Meals on Wheels:

  • Burlington County: (609) 702-7053

  • Camden County (856) 374-MEAL

  • Gloucester County (856) 686-8327

Information about SNAP and how to apply for help buying groceries are available here.

COVID-19 SNAP Provision fact sheets from the House Agriculture Committee are available here and here.

USDA-Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Resource Home can be found here.