About 800,000 New Jersey residents are facing a food crisis as funding for the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits dried up after the Trump administration said it wouldn’t pay this month’s food stamps due to the ongoing government shutdown.
But several Central Jersey restaurants have stepped up to offer meals to those who face the possibility of going hungry.
“When times are tough, we know everyone can come together and raise each other up,” said a staffer at Maria’s Pizza. “We have done it before, and we can do it again.”
Maria’s Pizza, Spotswood and Milltown
Maria’s Pizza is offering a total of 10 Heat ‘N’ Eats/Family Meals a day, five from each location, to families in need on a first-come, first-serve basis. Starting Nov. 3, individuals in need may call a location to reserve one of the five meals.
The options are chicken Parmesan and penne with salad and homemade bread or penne vodka with salad and homemade bread. Once the five meals are reached, Maria’s Pizza will post the status on its social media pages and reset for the following day.
Go: 210 Summerhill Road, Spotswood; 732-214-0033. 119 N. Main St., Milltown; 732-360-8846.
Stage House Tavern, Franklin (Somerset)
Stage House Tavern has introduced “Love At First Bite” which will run through the holidays. The restaurant’s Franklin location will open its “home” to feed families and individuals that receive SNAP benefits.
Anyone that receives SNAP benefits can visit Stage House Tavern between 3 and 6 p.m. Tuesdays and receive one free pasta-based meal with salad and bread, as well as a soda or juice.
“With the way the world is today, we all could use a little kindness, empathy, and most of all, love,” said Chef Donald “Junior” Erickson and his sister Karin. “No judgment. No questions asked. Just a hot meal and some love from us.”
To offset the cost and make sure that families do not have to worry or feel embarrassed about leaving the server a tip, donations to the Stage House business Venmo account are being accepted. In the notes section, donors should specify if the donation is for “food cost” or “server tips.”
“We at Stage House want to thank you ahead of time for always believing in us, supporting us, and even more − supporting the community around us,” Erickson said. “We look forward to working together with all of you to ensure that no one goes without a hot meal during this very unsure time of food insecurity that we are living in. We look forward to bringing many smiles on people’s faces with a good hot meal during this uncertain time.”
Go: 1719 Amwell Road, Franklin section of Somerset; 732-873-3990, stagehousetavern.com/somerset/.
More: What to know about the SNAP halt, where in Central Jersey to find food assistance
Turf Surf and Earth, Somerville
Turf, Surf, and Earth includes burgers, rice dishes and salads.
Turf Surf and Earth is offering free chicken and fries or a burger and chips to anyone who needs it. Patrons in need are asked to come to the restaurant and pull off a “SNAP Community Special” coupon from the inside wall.
“With SNAP benefits being cut and so many not being able to find work or not being paid to work, we have a lot of people that could really use our help,” said Turf Surf and Earth management. “So, we’re going to do what we do best. Our number one job at Turf Surf and Earth is to feed our community. We are going to make sure that everybody can have a hot meal no matter what.”
The restaurant also has a drop-off box for donations of rice, pasta, instant potatoes, beans, canned protein, soups, chilis, canned veggies and fruits, cereals, oatmeal, crackers, instant coffee and water.
Go: 46 E Main St., Somerville; 908-393-9272, turfsurfandearth.toast.site.
Francesco Pizza, Milltown
Francesco Pizza will provide six meals a day, including one large pizza and one two-liter soda, to families in need until benefits are restored. Those in need should call or visit the restaurant to collect one of the meals.
Go: 23 N Main St., Milltown; 732-214-9222, francescomilltown.com.
Dusal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Milltown
Dusal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria Pizzeria will provide four meals a night to families in need. Each meal will include a tray of penne with marinara sauce and breadsticks.
“We’re here for our community, just like you’ve always been here for us,” said Dusal’s management.
Those in need can call or visit Dusal’s. The restaurant will post daily on its social media pages once all four meals are reserved.
Go: 100 Ryders Lane, Milltown; 732-745-7311, dusalsrestaurant.com.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Central NJ restaurants offering free food to those who lost SNAP benefits
