Do You Qualify For SNAP In Bloomfield? Workshop To Offer Info

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Public Library is partnering with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to offer residents a presentation about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The presentation will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m., town officials said.

To register, visit https://www.bplnj.org/snap-webinar. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor-Network and the Bloomfield Human Services Department will be donating $25 gift cards to early registrants.

“The Bloomfield Public Library is partnering with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to help address an urgent need in our community – which is food,” said Councilwoman Jenny Mundell, liaison to the Bloomfield Public Library.

“Far too many people as a result of COVID-19 find themselves food insecure, which makes government assistance programs like SNAP especially critical,” Mundell said. “I encourage anyone that needs help purchasing food to register for this presentation.”

Here’s what to expect, organizers said:

“Jessica Wilkerson, the resource access coordinator for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s SNAP Outreach Department, will give the presentation. It will serve to inform residents about the program and how struggling families can qualify for assistance. The foodbank’s goal is to end hunger and poverty in New Jersey and to that end, the resource access team works to connect individuals and low-income families with benefits that will help reduce their risk for food insecurity and improve clients’ health outcomes.”

Organizers continued:

“For those not able to make the presentation but have questions about SNAP, please reach out a Resource Access Coordinator via their Food Assistance Line at 1-908-838-4831 or email them at snapoutreach@cfbnj.org. If you would like to email Jessica Wilkerson directly, email her directly at jwilkerson@cfbnj.org or leave a voicemail for her at 908-440-7438. If you need to find a food pantry (shelf stable food), text Comida or Find Food at 908.224.7776 or go to cfbnj.org/findfood.”

“During COVID-19, many families in our community through no fault of their own have had their incomes cut and many have lost their jobs,” Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia said.

“We need to continue to do everything in our power to ensure that no one goes hungry and that everyone is aware of assistance programs,” Venezia said. “If anyone is struggling to put food on the table, please be a part of this presentation so that you can learn about what you are entitled to.”

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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