With the federal food stamp program having been targeted by the Trump administration, emergency food pantries in Cape May County anticipate a greater need than last year, while some food items have become more difficult to obtain.
As a result, of the 15 food pantries on a master list, many will be scrambling to fill a rising need in the county. Some have already reported seeing a 20% to 30% increase in food demand.
The Trump administration was threatening to cut off funding for the food stamp program, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as of Nov. 1, but a federal judge on Friday, Oct. 31, ordered that funding be continued, ruling that the administration would be acting illegally were it to cut the funding.
But uncertainties remained about if and when the benefits would continue, as the logistics of the program were disrupted by the planned cutoff, and Trump said he would await further instructions from the court about resumption of funding, according to published reports. The court ordered the funding restored by Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to the reports.
According to Census Bureau figures from 2023, although less than 10% of Cape May County’s overall population is enrolled in the food stamp program, some 22% of the county’s children – more than one in five – are beneficiaries of the program.
Below is a list, for those in need or for those who wish to donate, of food pantries in the county, their addresses, phone numbers, hours and some details of their operations. Other churches and organizations might also have food supplies to distribute.
Cape May Community Food Closet at the First Presbyterian Church, Decatur and Columbia streets, Cape May. Visit by appointment on the second and fourth Friday of the month between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The food closet is open to residents of Cape May, Cape May Point, Lower Township and West Cape May and offers both perishable and nonperishable food. 609-600-7715.
Coalition Against Rape and Abuse distributes food by appointment, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no residency requirement, but you must call for an appointment. 609-522-6489.
Seashore Community Church of the Nazarene Gleaning Center, 446 Seashore Road, Erma. The center offers food to Lower Township residents every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and noon. The center offers both perishable and nonperishable food. There is no frequency of visit limit for Lower Township residents. 609-886-6196.
Green Creek Bethel United Methodist Church at 386 Route 47 south, Green Creek, distributes nonperishable food only, by appointment only. The pantry has no residency or income restrictions and is available once per month. Call 609-889-0474 and leave a message.
Church of the Resurrection, 200 Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, distributes perishable and nonperishable food on first and third Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. for residents of Beesley’s Point, Marmora, Ocean View and Seaville. There are no income restrictions. 609-390-0664.
Branches Outreach of Rio Grande Food Bank, 1304 Route 47 south, Unit AH, Rio Grande, distributes perishable and nonperishable food on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The food bank is open to county residents, who may visit once a week. 609-886-6091.
Catholic Charities, 1304 Route 47 south, Unit C-1, Rio Grande, distributes nonperishable food only every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no residency restriction, but call for an appointment. 609-886-2662.
Sea Isle City United Methodist Church, 4102 Central Ave., offers perishable and nonperishable food by appointment. There are no residency, income or frequency of visit restrictions. 609-263-3353 or 609-231-4929.
Seaville United Methodist Church, 3100 Route 9, offers perishable and nonperishable food every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are no residency or income restrictions, but visits are limited to once a week. 609-624-9019.
Redeemer Health Food Pantry, 458 Woodbine-Ocean View Road, Ocean View, distributes perishable and nonperishable food on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Food is available to New Jersey residents once a month. 609-463-6027.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 1220 Bayshore Road, Villas, distributes nonperishable food only to Lower Township residents every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every last Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No income restrictions, but limited to once a month. 609-886-2414.
St. Barnabas by the Bay Episcopal Church Food Pantry, 13 W. Bates Ave., Villas, distributes perishable and nonperishable food every Tuesday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. No income restrictions, but limited to once a month. 609-886-5960 and leave a message.
Bethel Emergency Food Pantry at Bethel Commandment Church, 402 S. George St., Whitesboro, distributes perishable and nonperishable food every Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Open to Cape May County residents, once a month. Masks and gloves required and will be provided. 609-465-0356.
Lazarus House Emergency Food Pantry, Burk and Pacific avenues, Wildwood, provides perishable and nonperishable food once a week to New Jersey residents every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. 609-522-1500.
St. Casimir Catholic Church, 304 Clay St., Woodbine, has a drive-up-only food pantry on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. offering perishable and nonperishable food to residents of Woodbine, Dennis Township and Eldora once a month. 609-861-5992.
Our Lady of the Angels, 400 Steel Road, Cape May Court House, distributes food every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Check with your church or local charitable organization for more locations.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
