SNAP Benefits Crisis Triggers Immediate Need for Community Action

The holiday season is about giving back, especially as many local families face new challenges brought on by the SNAP benefits crisis. This year, Causeway CARes is once again inviting the community to step up and help fight hunger through its annual Holiday Food Drive benefiting Fulfill NJ, our local food bank serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Starting November 12th, all Causeway Family of Dealerships showrooms will begin collecting non-perishable food items to support neighbors who are struggling to put meals on the table.

For more than 40 years, Fulfill NJ — formerly known as The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties — has been dedicated to ending hunger and building hope. The organization distributes over 13 million meals each year through a network of pantries and community partners, providing vital food and resources to families, seniors, and individuals facing food insecurity.

“We’re proud to support Fulfill once again,” said Joe Stroffolino, Director of Advertising and Marketing for Causeway Family of Dealerships and Vice-Chair of Fulfill’s Board of Trustees. “Their impact is felt right here in our community, and this time of year, every donation truly makes a difference.”

Fulfill President and CEO Triada Stampas recently underscored the urgency of the situation:

“We estimate about 4.3 million meals that SNAP households will not be able to purchase until their benefits arrive. That means Fulfill would need to more than triple our normal distribution to fill that gap.”

[Update:] Since that statement, there has been a glimmer of relief for many local families.

“On Friday, November 7th, thanks to the action of our state in response to a federal court order, full SNAP benefits have been issued for November, and 90,000 of our Monmouth and Ocean County neighbors have gotten some breathing room at last. Tonight, they can finally stock their fridges and pantries,” Stampas shared.

However, she cautioned that the challenges are far from over:

“The harm of this federal shutdown continues. Federal employees and contractors are going unpaid. In the next two weeks, December SNAP benefits should be scheduled, but the USDA’s reserve fund is now depleted. And because ensuring a steady supply of commodity foods for food banks is not considered an essential government function, the USDA has not made a single new TEFAP order in almost six weeks — creating the risk of a major gap in our food supply.”

The Causeway Holiday Food Drive runs from November 12th through December 18th, helping bridge that gap for families across the Jersey Shore.

How to Get Involved

1. Drop Off Food Donations
Bring a bag of non-perishable food items to any Causeway showroom and receive one entry into our Holiday Giveaway.

2. Purchase a Vehicle on November 28th or 29th
Anyone who buys a new or pre-owned vehicle during Black Friday weekend will receive 10 Holiday Giveaway entries!

3. Multiple Prizes, Multiple Winners
Each showroom will feature its own giveaway prize, with winners announced December 19th, just in time for the holidays!

Giveaway Prizes
Each Causeway showroom is adding a little extra holiday excitement with exclusive prizes for our Holiday Giveaway!

• Causeway Honda – Enter for a chance to win a Dyson V9 Vacuum, the ultimate cleaning companion.
• Causeway Nissan – Fire up your backyard fun with an Ooni Koda 12 Pizza Oven.
• Causeway Hyundai – Whip up sweet treats at home with a Ninja Creami XL Deluxe.
• Causeway Ford & Lincoln – Keep things cool this season with a Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler.

You can enter at any — or all — Causeway showrooms, and there’s no limit to how many bags of food you can donate. Each bag equals one entry, so the more you give, the more chances you have to win!

Most Needed Food Items

• Pop-top canned vegetables (low-sodium)
• Pop-top canned fruit (in 100% juice)
• Pop-top canned soup and meals
• Pop-top canned meat
• Instant or shelf-stable cooked rice or pasta
• Shelf-stable microwaveable meals
• Shelf-stable 100% juice (8oz containers preferred)
• Shelf-stable milk (8oz containers preferred)
• Crackers
• Cereal or cereal bars
• Oatmeal packets
• Protein bars
• Granola bars
• Trail mix
• Bottled water

All donations collected will go directly to Fulfill NJ, helping ensure that families across Monmouth and Ocean Counties have access to nutritious food throughout the winter months and beyond.

“This is what the Causeway CARes mission is all about — supporting our neighbors, giving back, and strengthening our community,” Stroffolino added. Learn more at www.CausewayCares.com,

To learn more about Fulfill NJ or to make a monetary donation, visit www.fulfillnj.org.