Food Assistance Program

Food Assistance Program

1 in 9 Bergen County residents suffers from food insecurity

In Bergen County, 1 in 9 people are facing food insecurity—30% of which are children*. When children are hungry, they can’t focus on their schoolwork and show increased hyperactivity and aggression. For adults, food insecurity can mean making difficult decisions like choosing between paying for food, or rent, bills, healthcare, and transportation.

The Ridgewood YMCA is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in our community. Through programs including our weekly food box distribution and the Beyond Pantry, along with essential partnerships with organizations like Table to Table and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, we can ensure that no one in our area has to face hunger alone.

*Food insecurity stats from Bergen County Office of Food Security

Food Distribution Program

Since 2020, our food distribution program has been providing boxes filled with fresh produce and essential groceries to those in need. In 2023 alone, we handed out more than 17,000 boxes of food, and continue to serve over 170 families each and every week.

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving food boxes, please sign up today through this link to receive our weekly email registration alerts. You will be notified when registration for the upcoming week opens. Spaces fill up quickly, and registration will close once they are full.

Beyond Pantry

The Ridgewood Y Beyond Pantry goes beyond the traditional food pantry, offering shelf-stable foods, frozen and refrigerated goods, cleaning supplies, toiletries and personal hygiene products, and even children’s toys and games—because every family deserves not just to survive, but to thrive.

If you or someone you know would like to shop the Beyond Pantry, please fill out the application to see if you qualify for pantry assistance.

Beyond Pantry is always accepting the following items for donation:

  • shelf-stable pantry items (no expired goods, please)
  • refrigerator or freezer items
  • toiletries and personal hygiene products
  • cleaning supplies
  • children’s toys and games

Items can be dropped off on the table directly inside our front doors next to the elevator. Refrigerator and freezer items must be given directly to the front desk.

You can also browse our pantry wish list and purchase items directly.

SNAP Navigators

The Ridgewood YMCA has been named a SNAP Navigator by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS). We’re here to answer your questions about the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and help you apply for benefits. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about SNAP, eligibility, or need help with applying, contact us at [email protected]

This is a free and confidential program.

About NJ SNAP NJ SNAP is a nutrition assistance program to help individuals and families with low incomes buy the groceries they need to eat healthy with a benefits card accepted in most food retail stores and some farmer’s markets.

For any questions or to inquire about volunteering for our food assistance program, please contact Megan Nayden at [email protected].

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