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Newark funds five emergency hubs after SNAP nondisbursement, authorizes up to $1 million
Summary
City council authorized short-term funding for five neighborhood assistance hubs after a federal SNAP nondisbursement left tens of thousands of residents without benefits. The administration proposed up to $100,000 per hub for November and December to provide food, clothing and other basic needs.
The Newark Municipal Council on Nov. 5 approved emergency funding to support five neighborhood assistance hubs after a federal delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) disbursements affected an estimated 37,000 residents.
Allison Ladd, director of economic and housing development, told the council the mayor convened an emergency meeting and the administration organized a citywide response with community and nonprofit partners. "The resolution before you is specifically about 5 hubs that have been stood up in each ward," Ladd said, identifying lead organizations and the school or site for each hub.
Ladd said each hub may receive up to $100,000 for the first month and the plan anticipates support in December if federal benefits remain unavailable. "We are planning ahead. So this is authorizing payment for both November and December," she said, adding the measure is an "up to" authorization to expedite assistance.
The five lead organizations and hub locations announced were: the Bergen, Lions, Clinton special improvement district at Belmont Runyon Elementary School (South Ward); Greater Newark Conservancy at a school on Third Street (Central Ward); UBSO at Speedway Academies (West Ward); Ironbound Community Corporation at South Street School (East Ward); and La Casa Don Pedro at Rafael Hernandez Elementary School (North Ward). Ladd said each lead group is working with partner nonprofits and community groups to manage distribution of food, clothing and other items.
Council members emphasized the need for broad participation. Councilman Kelly, describing local logistics in the West Ward, asked volunteers to register and warned that schools used as sites require drop-off coordination. Councilman Gonzales asked whether the authorization covered two months; Ladd confirmed the measure enables funds for both November and December but said the city can scale back if federal payments resume.
Council members also urged the administration to publish contact information and provide a public coordination point so other community organizations can contribute. Ladd said phone numbers and instructions are included in the city press materials.
The action is intended as a short-term, emergency measure to bridge service until SNAP benefits are delivered. The council did not tie the authorization to a long-term program; officials said future decisions would follow developments at the federal level.
