In response to the ongoing federal government shutdown threatening the SNAP benefits for 2,788 Hackensack families, Mayor Caseen Gaines and the City Council announced an Emergency Food Drive to provide immediate support for their affected residents.

This initiative aims to collect shelf-stable food items, such as canned goods, pasta, rice, baby formula, and other non-perishable items. Donated items will then be shared with local food pantries within the City.

Hackensack has the greatest number of families receiving SNAP benefits in Bergen County, underscoring the urgency of this effort. To best support this Emergency Food Drive, the City has collaborated with Bergen County officials, as well as the public schools, local clergy, nonprofit civic organizations, and small businesses.

“This shutdown poses an immediate danger to the well-being of our seniors, children, and residents with disabilities,” said Mayor Caseen Gaines. “Our federal government is failing too many of our families in this moment, and we are doing all we can to protect our residents from the cruel side-effects of this shutdown. We believe government should help people, not harm them—and that is why in Hackensack, we are acting.”

“The City Council is committed to ensuring the well-being of all of our residents, at all times,” he continued. “We ran to unite the City around a shared vision of putting our residents first, and we are thankful that so many of our residents, local organizations, and small businesses have stepped up to support thousands of our families in their hour of need. Benefits may be put on hold, but Hackensack never pauses.”

Donations will be accepted at the following City drop-off locations:

• Hackensack City Hall
• Recreation Center
• Fire Stations

Additional donation locations will be added here as partner sites are confirmed.

To supplement the food drive and support students and families who rely on school-based meals during the NJEA Teachers Convention closure, the City will host a free boxed lunch giveaway on Thursday, November 6, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Recreation Center, Carver Park, and the Civic Center. 1,000 boxed lunches have been generously donated by Lorenzo Food Group of Englewood and will be distributed while supplies last.

A Google Form will be available in both English and Spanish on our website for residents to apply for the free boxed lunch giveaway.

The Emergency Food Drive will continue for the duration of the shutdown. Until benefits are restored, we will bridge the gap with urgency, empathy, and a commitment to make sure no Hackensack family is left hungry.

Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur added, “While we in Bergen County can’t change what is happening at the federal level, we can do everything possible to ensure that our neighbors are supported and respected.”