LEONIA — As the federal government shutdown enters its fifth week, leaving thousands of Bergen County residents without paychecks or SNAP benefits, the County of Bergen and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will hold an emergency food distribution Thursday, Nov. 6, at Overpeck County Park.
The drive-thru event, set for 10 a.m. at the park’s amphitheater parking lot (enter at 40 Fort Lee Road), will provide groceries to furloughed federal workers and Bergen County households receiving SNAP assistance.
County Executive Jim Tedesco, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, County Commissioner Tracy Zur, and Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, will be on site.
Food unloading and staging will begin at 8 a.m., with distribution expected to start around 10 a.m. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants must present physical proof of Bergen County residency along with either a SNAP/NJ Families First card or a federal employee ID card.
Organizers emphasized that residents arriving after supplies have been distributed will receive information on other available food resources through the Bergen County Office of Food Security.
All other park entrances will be closed, officials noted.
— Via Derek Sands for the County of Bergen