Murphy deploys New Jersey National Guard to support food banks amid SNAP funding lapse
TRENTON, N.J. — As New Jersey families continue to go without their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday that members of the New Jersey National Guard have been deployed to assist Emergency Food Organizations (EFOs) and residents in need.
“The Trump Administration’s failure to fund SNAP benefits has left hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents feeling scared and unsure of where their next meal will come from,” Murphy said. “New Jersey is deploying members of the National Guard to support the state’s whole-of-government response to this unprecedented crisis and offer aid to our food banks at a time of heightened need. Today, members of the Air National Guard are mobilizing to deliver refrigerated storage containers to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Fulfill, enhancing the cold storage capacity at critical hubs for our emergency feeding organizations.”
At the request of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Fulfill, the state deployed four refrigerated storage containers from its strategic stockpile. Three were delivered to the Community FoodBank’s Hillside facility and one to Fulfill in Neptune. The additional cold storage will allow food banks to store and distribute more perishable items, such as fresh produce, dairy, and meats, to families affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
“When our neighbors are in need, the New Jersey National Guard stands ready to serve,” said Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays, The Adjutant General of New Jersey and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our Soldiers and Airmen are proud to work with state and local partners in ensuring families continue to have access to essential support.”
Members of the National Guard are also assisting the Hillside food bank directly with food distribution efforts. The deployment is a joint initiative among the Air National Guard, the New Jersey Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Management, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.
More than 800,000 New Jerseyans depend on SNAP to meet basic nutritional needs — including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. With federal benefits still unavailable for November, state officials warn that many residents face growing uncertainty about food access.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture must still act to release contingency funds to restore SNAP benefits, the state said. In the meantime, New Jersey continues to coordinate with local food banks and service organizations to fill the gap.
Residents can check the status of their SNAP benefits at NJFamiliesFirst.com, call 800-997-3333, or visit njsnap.gov and nj.gov/snapshutdown for updates. Those in need of food assistance can locate nearby food pantries and community kitchens by visiting NJ 211.
