The Food Brigade offers various types of free assistance to people in need in New Jersey:

  • Weekly "Client Choice" Walk-In Food Pantries - refrigerated, frozen, and non-perishable food items

  • Weekly "Virtual Food Pantry" with Online Ordering for Homebound Clients (see below for details)

  • Mixed Produce Bags/Boxes (as available)

  • Packaged Dinner Meals Program (periodic)

  • Supermarket Gift Cards Program (periodic)

  • Diapers (Infant & Adult) and Diaper Wipes (for our registered food clients)

  • Period Supplies Program (for our registered food clients)

  • Thanksgiving Distribution Program (November)


HOW TO REQUEST HELP

FIRST, YOU MUST QUALIFY: To qualify for assistance, you must fall within at least one of the following seven categories:

  1. Recipient of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
  2. Recipient of SNAP/Food Stamps
  3. Recipient of SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  4. Recipient of WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
  5. Recipient of Medicaid
  6. Low Income (185% of Poverty - see the schedule below)
  7. Disaster (divorce, domestic violence, unusual expense, loss of employment)

Eligibility Requirements - Low Income

Download Income Eligibility Guidelines in PDF Format

Eligibility Requirements - Low Income

Download Income Eligibility Guidelines (Spanish) in PDF Format

SECOND, YOU MUST REGISTER: If you qualify, in order to receive food you must register with us. Our food distributions are for our registered clients only, and by appointment only. If you satisfy at least one of the above qualification criteria, and you are not already existing client of ours, you may schedule an appointment for an Intake Interview with us. (NOTE: This is for potential NEW CLIENTS ONLY - if you are an existing client who already receives assistance from us, do NOT take up one of these appointments slots!)

DOCUMENTATION: To begin receiving assistance, you must show us proof of New Jersey residency, such as a New Jersey driver's license, utility bill or bank statement bearing your name and address, etc.


IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO PICK UP YOUR FOOD

If you need to have someone pick up your food for you, both you and that person must FIRST sign and submit a Proxy Form. Proxies are allowed for sick and shut-in individuals only. Individual food recipients must designate their proxy in writing on an annual basis. Click here for the Proxy Form.


HOME DELIVERIES

In certain limited locations, we offer home delivery service to clients who are homebound and unable to travel to our food distribution centers. For example, you may be able to receive home delivery if you are disabled, or a stay-at-home parent caring for a special needs child. To request home delivery, you must have a screening interview and provide proof of the need. You must be at home when the delivery is made. You must sign to acknowledge receipt of the food delivery. If you feel you may qualify for this service, please call us at 201-614-4414.


 REFUSAL OF SERVICE

Although our mission is charitable in nature, you may be refused services if:

  1. You make untrue or inaccurate statements in your registration application form or otherwise provide untrue or inaccurate information for your account.
  2. You are abusive or threatening toward our staff or volunteers.
  3. You fail or refuse to follow the instructions and direction of our staff or volunteers when receiving services.
  4. You fail to pick up food that you ordered and/or reserved, without contacting us to advise that you were unable to pick up. 


Food Brigade volunteers at work


Click here for Non-Discrimination Statement.