MEDIA ADVISORY:
November 5, 2025
CONTACT:
Steve Spoto
SSpoto@BergenCountyNJ.gov
Derek Sands
DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov
MEDIA ADVISORY – LEONIA – THURSDAY
BERGEN COUNTY & COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NJ TO HOLD EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION AT OVERPECK COUNTY PARK
County and partners respond as federal shutdown leaves residents without SNAP benefits or paychecks
WHAT: As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, leaving tens of thousands of Bergen County residents without timely SNAP benefits and federal employees without paychecks, the County of Bergen and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will host an emergency food distribution to support those impacted.
County Executive Jim Tedesco, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, Commissioner Tracy Zur, and Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of Community Food Bank of New Jersey will be on-site and available to speak with members of the media.
WHERE:
Overpeck County Park – Amphitheater Parking Lot
Enter at 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ
(All other park entrances will be closed)
WHEN:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Food unloading and staging10:00 a.m. – Distribution approximate start
DISTRIBUTION DETAILS:
The distribution is open to SNAP recipient households and furloughed federal employees residing in Bergen County.
To receive assistance, participants must present:
- Physical proof of Bergen County residency
- A valid SNAP/NJ Families First Card or Federal Employee ID Card
This is a drive-thru only event. Supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents arriving after supplies have run out will be provided with information on additional food resources available through the Bergen County Office of Food Security.
AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA:
Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of Community Food Bank of New Jersey
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III
Representative Josh Gottheimer
Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur
Representatives from the Bergen County Board of Commissioners
State and local officials
MEDIA:
Open, but must RSVP to DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov. For onsite logistics, please reach out to Steve Spoto at 201-458-3006.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Visit www.BergenFightsHunger.org or contact officeoffoodsecurity@bergencountynj.gov.
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