The Montclair Girl Team 
Thousands of Essex County families will not receive federal food benefits for November 2025. It’s also the time of year when food pantries and other local organizations ramp up services to provide food for neighbors in need. Many Essex County organizations support the community through food banks and other efforts. The Montclair Girl compiled a list of local resources for neighbors in need and those who want to help. Read on to find resources in your area and places to donate food supplies.
Editor’s note: We will add to this list as it grows. Please contact [email protected] for any additions or updates.
Background
A major federal benefit program that supports low-income families is set to run out of funding on November 1st. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) SNAP benefits are a monthly food assistance program funded by the US Department of Agriculture, aiming to alleviate the impacts of food insecurity for qualifying low-income households. The US Department of Agriculture does not have a budget for fiscal year 2026, and has stated it will not use emergency funding to bridge the gap. In 2025, per a statement from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, more than 800,00 New Jersey residents receive SNAP benefits.
New Jersey is one of several states suing the Trump Administration over the lapse in benefits, joining a coalition of 22 other attorneys general, three governors, and the District of Columbia. “New Jersey families are being used as political pawns by the Trump Administration, which is illegally suspending SNAP and the critical assistance it provides to residents who are struggling with food insecurity,” said Attorney General Platkin. “This is especially devastating in the month of November, when families are gathering and demands on food banks and pantries are heaviest.”
Read More: Montclair Public Schools Issue Over 100 Layoff Notices Amid $19.6 Million Budget Crisis
As winter and the holiday season approach, the need at local pantries and shelters is especially high. For those experiencing food insecurity, TLG has assembled a list of resources throughout the state for neighbors who need help and neighbors who are in a position to donate.
According to a study by the State of New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Family Development, as of August 2025, in Essex County, 64,661 households, 67,956 adults, and 48,755 children participated in SNAP. Essex County household SNAP participation decreased by 13.9 percent in 2025 compared to August of last year. The decrease could be due to a variety of factors, including economic conditions, changes in eligibility, and program outreach.
On October 30th, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an effort to fund statewide food banks with an additional $4.25 million to bridge the gap in SNAP funding. “Food security work is intentionally broader in the 21st Century because the challenges that existing systems and practices place on people, interconnect,” said Office of the Food Security Executive Director Mark Dinglasan. “Still, the reality is the day-to-day work of food banks and food pantries, including the six Food & Hunger grantees and their networks of local agencies, is very much needed in every community and each of our 21 counties. The collaborative way in which our colleagues across the Governor’s office, state agencies and partners in the Legislature have expedited these funding disbursements is a testament to how the state cares for all New Jerseyans’ well-being.”
Statewide Resources
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey
Across the state, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey has a searchable directory where you can enter your ZIP code to find the nearest pantries and meal programs on the website.
A free, confidential resource to connect residents to nonprofits, government agencies, and other groups.
Essex County Resources
Care Center of New Jersey Mobile Food Pantry | 68 Church Street, Montclair
What’s needed: Non-perishable food staples including pasta, rice, peanut butter and cooking oil. Fresh items (with coordinated drop-off times), including meat, dairy, produce, and eggs. The center also accepts reusable grocery bags and monetary donations to fund their purchases of perishables and gas for their mobile pantries.
What’s provided: groceries, both fresh and non-perishable, distributed on the first Saturday of each month from 10 AM – 1PM. The mobile care center provides support for families in transitional housing and food-insecure situations. The center additionally offers referrals to social services throughout Essex County.
Community FoodBank of New Jersey | 31 Evans Terminal, Hillside
What’s needed: Non-perishable canned foods such as vegetables, soups, fruits, tuna, and beans; grains and starches like rice, pasta, cereal, and oatmeal; nut butter, shelf-stable milk, baby food, and protein bars. The organization requests that donations do not include glass containers or expired items.
What’s provided: Large-scale food distribution to partner pantries across Essex County, including Montclair. The FoodBank also provides referrals to community resources for housing, SNAP, and nutrition assistance, as well as seasonal produce and holiday food boxes through local agencies.
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
What’s needed: Non-perishable foods such as cereal, pasta, rice, canned soups, vegetables, fruits, tuna, and peanut butter & jelly (no glass jars). Household items like paper towels, toilet paper, and detergents. Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, deodorant, and menstrual products. The pantry also accepts baby and pet supplies, including diapers, wipes, baby food, and dog or cat food.
What’s provided: Weekly grocery bags of fresh and shelf-stable food, with home delivery available for seniors and disabled residents. The pantry also provides pet food, personal-care products, and referrals for housing, employment, and healthcare support. Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM – 12 PM, and on the second Saturday of each month from 10 AM – 12 PM.
Montclair Mutual Aid – Little Free Pantry Boxes | Multiple locations
Locations: 40 S Fullerton Ave, 86 Elm St, and 84 Maple Ave
What’s needed: Sealed, non-expired non-perishable food items such as canned soups, rice, beans, and granola bars. Baby products including formula, diapers, and wipes. Hygiene and cleaning items like soap, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes. Seasonal needs such as bottled water in summer and gloves or hats in winter.
What’s provided: 24/7 access to free food and hygiene items from neighborhood “take what you need, leave what you can” boxes. There is no ID or registration required, the boxes are a community-based initiative supported entirely by local residents and volunteers.
The Salvation Army – Montclair Citadel Corps | 13 Trinity Place, Montclair
What’s needed: Non-perishable foods such as pasta, rice, beans, canned goods, and boxed meals. Shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, and baby formula. Hygiene kits (soap, toothbrushes, razors, pads/tampons), as well as warm clothing and coats during colder months.
What’s provided: Emergency food bags and grocery boxes available Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 4 PM. Hot meals are served on select days, and the organization also provides case management, utility assistance, spiritual care, and seasonal holiday meals. Lunch is served at noon Monday-Wednesday, and breakfast is served Monday-Friday at 9AM.
Toni’s Kitchen | 73 S Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
What’s needed: Non-perishables including breakfast items, pasta, rice, canned soup, canned tuna, peanut butter, and pasta sauce. The kitchen requests no glass jars for applicable items.
What’s provided: Toni’s Kitchen has multiple programs including a soup kitchen, food delivery, fresh meals, health and wellness services including help with navigating government assistance programs, a daytime warming center during the winter and Toni’s closet. Toni’s Closet distributes warm clothing after soup kitchen meals and during grocery distributions. Other gently-used clothing donations are sold at low cost at Toni’s Closet.
See More: Jersey Shore Resources for Families Affected by SNAP Changes
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