Columbia Bank Foundation Provides $50,000 in Emergency Funding to 23 Nonprofits to Help Offset Cuts in SNAP Benefits

The Columbia Bank Foundation has awarded $50,000 in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations across New Jersey to help local food pantries and community programs meet the rising need for assistance following recent reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The grants will support food banks, pantries, and community-based organizations that provide essential meals and grocery assistance to families across New Jersey. Each organization will receive funding to purchase food, expand pantry capacity, or provide meal delivery services to residents who rely on their support.

Thomas J. Kemly, President and CEO of Columbia Bank and President of the Columbia Bank Foundation, said the effort reflects the Foundation’s commitment to staying closely connected to local needs.

“Our close ties to the communities we serve allow us to recognize challenges as they arise and respond quickly,” said Kemly. “Our team and community partners acted rapidly to make sure families continue to have access to nutritious food and essential resources. I’m incredibly proud of how everyone came together to respond with care and urgency.”

“We are deeply grateful for the Columbia Bank Foundation’s support during this challenging time. This donation arrives at the right time, helping us provide meals and essential resources to families in need,” said Julienne Cherry, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Union County. “Partnerships like yours strengthen our ability to respond effectively, and we sincerely appreciate your trust in our mission.”

The following 23 organizations received funding through this initiative:

1. Calvary Chapel Of Old Bridge - Bridge Women's Center: Located in Old Bridge, NJ, the Broken Loaves Food Pantry provides support to those struggling to make ends meet.
2. Catholic Family & Community Services: Provides food, early learning programs, rental assistance, counseling, and shelter services in Paterson. The Father English Food Pantry serves over 16,000 people each month.
3. Center For Food Action In New Jersey: Delivers emergency services to northern NJ’s most vulnerable residents, including food, housing, utility assistance, counseling, and advocacy.
4. CUMAC: Fights hunger and its root causes with a trauma-informed approach, providing groceries and essentials to families and individuals in need within the Paterson area.
5. Feeding Hands Inc: Serving Somerset and Middlesex Counties, supporting approximately 1,300 families through food assistance, resource referrals, and community engagement
6. Flemington Area Food Pantry Inc: Promotes health and well-being in Hunterdon County, serving over 20,000 people in 2024.
7. Food Bank Network of Somerset County: Distributes food and other necessities to Somerset County residents in need, supporting 32,000 visits annually.
8. Food Bank of South Jersey: Provides immediate solutions to hunger by offering food to those in need, teaching nutritious eating habits, and supporting sustainable ways to improve lives.
9. Franklin Township Food Bank: Serves Franklin Township and partners with 40 food access organizations across Somerset, Middlesex, Ocean, Union, and Essex counties.
10. Harvest Outreach Ministry: Provides food assistance to all those in need through their food pantry in Paterson, NJ.
11. Interfaith Food Pantry Inc: A leader in the fight against hunger in Morris County, with over 41,000 pantry visits in 2024.
12. Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County: Offers a variety of social services for individuals and families of all backgrounds. Food pantries provide shelf-stable items year-round.
13. Love Ministries Outreach International Inc.: Provides vital food assistance to a diverse group of individuals in Camden, NJ, serving 20,000 people monthly.
14. New Hope Community Ministries: Empowers families to break cycles of poverty and build thriving communities in Prospect Park, Hawthorne, Haledon, and North Haledon.
15. Oasis A Haven for Women and Children: Supports women and children on their path to a brighter future by providing hot meals, emergency food, clothing, and social support to families in poverty in the Paterson area.
16. Rahway Community Action Organization: Home to Helping Hands Learning Academy, the Rahway Family Success Center and the RCAO Emergency Needs Program featuring weekly food distributions.
17. South Jersey Dream Center Food Bank: Works to break the cycle of poverty in South Jersey by providing food, clothing, household, baby, and hygiene items to those in need.
18. St. Joseph Social Service Center: Distributes food and provides additional services to clients in the Elizabeth area.
19. Table to Table: New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, delivering rescued food to community partners across northern NJ. Restored 23 million pounds of food in 2024.
20. United Way of Greater Union County: Serves the Greater Union County area by addressing food insecurity and providing emergency food assistance to over 4,000 families.
21. Wholesome Riches: Collaborates with students, families, schools, and community leaders in Camden to identify needs and build support systems. Provides food assistance to 1,600 families monthly.
22. Women's Rights Information Center: Delivers holistic, client-centered services addressing both emotional and economic challenges in the community.
23. Your Place at the Table: Provides a supportive environment, nourishing and empowering families and individuals in need. Serves approximately 100 families in Mullica Hill, South Jersey.