08/26/2026
Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Cory Booker joined Fulfill, fellow New Jersey food banks The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Food Bank of South Jersey, Mercer Street Friends, and Norwescap New Jersey, along with community partners, for an important conversation about the future of SNAP and what recent changes mean for families across our state, hosted by in Somerset County.
Fulfill President & CEO Triada Stampas shared what we are seeing across Monmouth and Ocean counties, where nearly 148,000 people are experiencing food insecurity. As expanded SNAP work requirements have taken effect, our experienced SNAP Navigation team is already seeing widespread confusion among neighbors trying to understand new requirements, document exemptions, and keep the food assistance they rely on.
We were especially grateful to be joined by Gwendolyn Love, President & CEO of Lunch Break, one of Fulfill’s longtime community partners, who brought the perspective of organizations working directly with neighbors every day.
The message from food banks and community partners across New Jersey was clear: SNAP is our nation’s most powerful anti-hunger program, and charitable food assistance cannot replace it. When families lose SNAP benefits, their need for food does not disappear. Instead, more neighbors turn to local pantries and food banks that are already responding to increased demand.
Thank you to Senator Booker for listening to what our communities are experiencing and for his continued advocacy to protect a strong SNAP program. And thank you to The Franklin Food Bank for hosting such an important conversation and to our fellow food banks and community partners for standing together for our neighbors.
