Hillsborough Ending Weekly Food Pantry Appointments

Hillsborough Township will end weekly appointments at its Community Assistance Network food pantry on Friday, July 24, and shift the program toward wellness and emergency support, according to a township announcement posted May 13. The township said the change will leave in place its seasonal distributions, including Spring Holiday, BBQ, Back-to-School, Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday programs. Officials said the move reflects a stronger countywide food-assistance network and a decision to focus local staff time on other services. The announcement affects a township pantry that officials said has operated for nearly 40 years. ### When do the weekly pantry appointments stop? Friday, July 24, is the final date for weekly food pantry appointments through Hillsborough’s Community Assistance Network, or C.A.N., the township said in its notice. The township described the change as a phaseout of the weekly pantry program rather than an immediate shutdown. May 13 was the date Hillsborough published the change on its website. The township said residents would still be able to seek help through other county food providers and through Hillsborough’s remaining seasonal distributions. ### What parts of C.A.N. will still operate after July 24? Hillsborough said the Spring Holiday, BBQ, Back-to-School, Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday distributions will continue after the weekly pantry ends. (hillsboroughnj.gov) The township said those programs will remain part of its support for local families. Emergency-response services will also stay in place. The township said C.A.N. will continue to provide warming and cooling centers, charging stations and temporary housing assistance for residents dealing with natural disasters or personal crises. ### Why is the township changing the program now? (hillsboroughnj.gov) Somerset County has about 35 active food-distribution resources, according to Hillsborough’s announcement. The township named the Food Bank Network of Somerset County and Feeding Hands as examples of organizations that have expanded and can provide ongoing food support to residents. (hillsboroughnj.gov) The township said the stronger regional network allows Hillsborough to redirect effort toward “wraparound services” that it identified as core parts of C.A.N.’s mission. In the same announcement, officials listed nutrition and wellness education, financial stability resources, fraud-prevention awareness, and physical and mental health programming as areas for greater focus. (hillsboroughnj.gov) ### Where can residents go for food assistance instead? Feeding Hands says it serves Somerset County residents, requires advance registration and operates pantry locations in Hillsborough, Manville, Edison, Warren and Basking Ridge. Its website says clients must register before receiving food and that its main Hillsborough pantry offers both aisle shopping and a Saturday drive-thru option. The Food Bank Network of Somerset County lists pantry locations and county resources on its website. (hillsboroughnj.gov) The organization says its main pantry in Bound Brook operates Monday through Friday, with Thursday evening appointments also available, and its county resource page points residents to a broader list of Somerset County food-assistance options. ### What did the township pantry provide before this change? (feedinghandspantry.org) The township’s C.A.N. webpage says Hillsborough residents in need of temporary food assistance could apply through the Social Services Department. The same page says the pantry accepted food and nonperishable items, grocery gift cards and checks, with drop-offs at the municipal building. For nearly 40 years, the township said, the C.A.N. pantry served hundreds of residents each year. (somersetfoodbank.org) In its May 13 statement, Hillsborough thanked residents, volunteers, schools, scouting groups, businesses and faith-based organizations for supporting the pantry over four decades. ### What should residents and donors watch next? (hillsborough-nj.org) July 24 is the key next date because it is the last day for weekly pantry appointments under the current system. After that, Hillsborough said it will keep running seasonal distributions and expanded wellness programming through C.A.N. Residents seeking food help can still use the township’s Social Services information page and the websites of Feeding Hands and the Food Bank Network of Somerset County to check eligibility, registration and pantry schedules. (hillsboroughnj.gov) Hillsborough also said donors who want to keep giving food should direct donations to local pantries and community partners that specialize in direct distribution.