East Orange Has Plan To Ease Pain For SNAP Households Amid Government Shutdown

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange has joined the towns and cities in New Jersey that are reaching out to residents impacted by the suspension of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits.

A showdown over the future of SNAP benefits continues to play out on the federal level. Two judges recently said the Trump administration must tap into contingency funds to make payments for food stamps. However, it’s unclear when or if people will receive their full benefits – leaving many families struggling with uncertainty in the meanwhile.

• See Related: SNAP Benefits Partially Restored: What It Means For NJ
• See Related: Trump Threatens To Withhold SNAP Benefits

East Orange officials took action last week, announcing a new local program at a press conference at City Hall.

According to Mayor Ted Green, the city is creating a voucher program for East Orange residents who are SNAP recipients. People who get vouchers will be able to use them to buy food at a local supermarket – just like they usually do.

The program will be paid for with city funds, officials said.

“We’re meeting with our local grocery stores this week to really present what our plan is in terms of our voucher that we’re creating,” Green said. “People are going to need food, people are going to need assistance, so we want to make sure as a city that we jump in front of it.”

Other actions that are part of the plan include expanding access and providing transportation to local food pantries.

“As we prepare to support nearly 5,000 residents who may be impacted by the potential SNAP program shutdown, I am issuing a call to action for the full mobilization of our entire city—every resident, homeowner, city employee, entrepreneur, nonprofit, faith leader, and community partner—to stand together and ensure that no one in East Orange is hungry,” the mayor said.

• See Related: Murphy Mobilizes National Guard To NJ Food Banks
• See Related: Where To Get Food Assistance In All 21 NJ Counties

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