The Manifestation of Hate
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Dear Friend,
We are living in a time of uncertainty. Our world has been rocked by a crisis so massive that it has forced the world's greatest economies to their knees and forced largescale shutdowns. The question on everyone's mind is "what’s next?" and "how do we move on from here?".
There are no easy answers and no truly accurate predictions. There is no precedent that we can follow, which gives us a reliable predictor. What we do have is hope, we have faith, we have love, and we have each other. This crisis has unleashed something inside of us that has brought us closer together. We've seen incredible, selfless acts of giving and caring.
Unfortunately, even at a time like this, some choose to manifest hate. Some are so insulated in their bubble that they have lost the capacity to care for others or feel empathy. Some harbor such incredible bitterness that it is consuming them from the inside out. We've seen it manifested in the White House, we've seen it play out in various parts of the country on social media, and we've seen it here in Plainfield.
There is an ugliness that wells up from inside when people allow their bitterness to fester and transform into hate, to the point where they think it’s okay to attack Black women. It erases objectivity, reflects in their articulation and relationships with others, and closes their minds to the possibility of any other type of reality.
Hate can manifest itself in many ways; it is not confined to one ethnicity, group, gender, or cause. It poisons collaborative potential and sometimes transforms itself into an all-consuming passion. Racism is grounded in hate; misogyny is rooted in hate, all forms of discrimination based on unalterable characteristics are grounded in hatred. This type of hate has no place in our society, and it should not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form.
Sadly, many of our leader's actions seem to adversely target women, minorities, and anyone who disagrees with his point of view. His hatred of his predecessor drives him to make wild accusations that aren't fact-based. It is even sadder that his actions seem to have awakened a collective spirit of hate and bitterness, and we see reflections of it all across this country, even in our city.
Plainfield is a beautiful, diverse, inclusive city, and there is no place for manifestations of hatred that is grounded in discriminatory biases. If we are to continue to grow and progress, it requires a spirit of collaboration, respect, and open minds. There is no "one size fits all" answers to the problems we face, and we need to unite and push past petty agendas if we are to survive and restore our city's economy. No man is an island onto himself. As Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “this world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.”
Although federal and state mandates guide many of our actions, our destiny is solely in our hands. Today we must decide what type of city we want to be. We can be a city united, working toward the greater good, and a better quality of life for every resident. We can be a city that shows compassion and love for all, including the weakest and most vulnerable. A city that takes pride in its appearance and works to build local businesses and our local economy. A city that works collaboratively.
Or we can choose to insulate, divide with inflammatory words, attack, misdirect, harbor bitterness, and pursue a selfish agenda that sows disharmony in our community. We can choose to shop elsewhere, patronize establishments outside our city and build their economy while ours struggles. We can choose to turn a blind eye to the areas of the city that don't impact our lives and pretend they don't exist and watch Plainfield regress to a state of hopelessness.
We all have choices to make. I choose my city that I've been dedicated to for over forty years of my life. I choose my family, my neighbors, my community, and every resident who lives here. I choose unity, and I choose harmony; I choose to disagree respectfully, and I choose to work collaboratively to make positive changes for the Queen City. I choose to transcend blind hatred and bitterness.
“The voice of the intelligence is drowned out by the roar of fear. It is contradicted by the voice of shame. It is biased by hate and extinguished by anger. Most of all it is silenced by ignorance.”
~ Karl A. Menninger
I ask you to join me and make Plainfield a beacon for inclusivity, kindness, respect, love, and diverse unity.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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La Manifestación del Odio
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Querido Plainfield,
Estamos viviendo en una época de incertidumbre. Nuestro mundo se ha visto sacudido por una crisis tan masiva que ha obligado a las economías más grandes del mundo a ponerse de rodillas y a cierres forzados a gran escala. La pregunta en la mente de todos es "¿qué sigue?" y "¿cómo avanzamos desde aquí?".
No hay respuestas fáciles ni predicciones verdaderamente precisas. No hay precedentes que podamos seguir, lo que nos da un predictor confiable. Lo que sí tenemos es esperanza, tenemos fe, tenemos amor y nos tenemos el uno al otro. Esta crisis ha desatado algo dentro de nosotros que nos ha acercado más. Hemos visto actos increíbles y desinteresados de dar y cuidar.
Desafortunadamente, incluso en un momento como este, algunos optan por manifestar odio. Algunos están tan aislados en su burbuja que han perdido la capacidad de cuidar a los demás o sentir empatía. Algunos albergan una amargura tan increíble que los consume de adentro hacia afuera. Lo hemos visto manifestado en la Casa Blanca, lo hemos visto en varias partes del país en las redes sociales, y lo hemos visto aquí en Plainfield.
Hay una fealdad que brota desde adentro cuando las personas permiten que su amargura se infecte y se transforme en odio, hasta el punto en que piensan que está bien atacar a las mujeres negras. Borra la objetividad, refleja en su articulación y relaciones con los demás, y cierra sus mentes a la posibilidad de cualquier otro tipo de realidad.
El odio puede manifestarse de muchas maneras; no se limita a una etnia, grupo, género o causa. Envenena el potencial de colaboración y, a veces, se transforma en una pasión que todo lo consume. El racismo se basa en el odio; la misoginia se basa en el odio, todas las formas de discriminación basadas en características inalterables se basan en el odio. Este tipo de odio no tiene cabida en nuestra sociedad, y no debe tolerarse de ninguna manera o forma.
Lamentablemente, muchas de las acciones de nuestro líder parecen atacar negativamente a las mujeres, las minorías y cualquier persona que no esté de acuerdo con su punto de vista. Su odio hacia su predecesor lo lleva a hacer acusaciones salvajes que no están basadas en hechos. Es aún más triste que sus acciones parecen haber despertado un espíritu colectivo de odio y amargura, y vemos reflejos de todo en este país, incluso en nuestra ciudad.
Plainfield es una ciudad hermosa, diversa e inclusiva, y no hay lugar para manifestaciones de odio basadas en prejuicios discriminatorios. Si queremos continuar creciendo y progresando, se requiere un espíritu de colaboración, respeto y mente abierta. No hay respuestas "únicas para todos" a los problemas que enfrentamos, y necesitamos unirnos y empujar pequeñas agendas para sobrevivir y restaurar la economía de nuestra ciudad. Ningún hombre es una isla en sí mismo. Como dijo Dwight D. Eisenhower, "este mundo nuestro ... debe evitar convertirse en una comunidad de miedo y odio terribles, y ser, en cambio, una orgullosa confederación de confianza y respeto mutuos".
Aunque los mandatos federales y estatales guían muchas de nuestras acciones, nuestro destino está únicamente en nuestras manos. Hoy debemos decidir qué tipo de ciudad queremos ser. Podemos ser una ciudad unida, trabajando por un bien mayor y una mejor calidad de vida para cada residente. Podemos ser una ciudad que muestre compasión y amor por todos, incluidos los más débiles y los más vulnerables. Una ciudad que se enorgullece de su apariencia y trabaja para construir negocios locales para nuestra economía local. Una ciudad que trabaja en colaboración.
O podemos elegir aislar, dividir con palabras inflamatorias, atacar, desviar, albergar amargura y seguir una agenda egoísta que siembra la falta de armonía en nuestra comunidad. Podemos elegir comprar en otro lugar, patrocinar establecimientos fuera de nuestra ciudad y construir su economía mientras la nuestra lucha. Podemos optar por hacer de la vista gorda a las áreas de la ciudad que no impactan nuestras vidas y pretender que no existen y ver a Plainfield regresar a un estado de desesperanza.
Todos tenemos que tomar decisiones. Elijo mi ciudad a la que me he dedicado durante más de cuarenta años de mi vida. Elijo a mi familia, mis vecinos, mi comunidad y todos los residentes que viven aquí. Elijo la unidad y elijo la armonía; Elijo estar en desacuerdo respetuosamente, y elijo trabajar en colaboración para hacer cambios positivos para Queen City. Elijo trascender el odio ciego y la amargura.
“La voz de la inteligencia se ahoga por el rugido del miedo. Es contradicho por la voz de la vergüenza. Está sesgado por el odio y extinguido por la ira. Sobre todo, es silenciado por la ignorancia. ~ Karl A. Menninger
Te pido que te unas a mí y hagas de Plainfield un faro para la inclusión, la amabilidad, el respeto, el amor y la unidad diversa.
Creando un Plainfield, un Futuro
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From the Mayor’s Office
Two Thousand and Seventy-Three (2073) Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Plainfield. Additional
Two Thousand,
Seven Hundred and Seventy-One (2771) In Quarantine.
May 22, 2020
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As of Friday, May 22, 2020, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Plainfield now stands at
two thousand and seventy-three (2073)
within the ages of twenty-four (24) days old to ninety-six (96) years old. There are an additional
two thousand, seven hundred and seventy-one (2771)
individuals quarantined as a result of exposure to the virus. Eight hundred and seventy-nine (879) of the positive cases have recovered. There are five new deaths to report today, two Hispanic males of ages sixty-two (62) and eighty (80), one seventy-two (72) year old Caucasian male, one seventy-six (76) year old African American female, and an eighty-six (86) year old unknown female. This brings the total amount of fatalities to eighty-nine (89).
As of today, the racial distribution of positive COVID-19 related deaths in Plainfield is as follows:
Black or African American-
35
Hispanic or Latino-
28
White-
18
Unknown-
9
Total-
Eighty-nine (89) deaths including 45 males and 44 females.
The numbers for New Jersey and Union County are as follows:
NEW CASES
New Jersey 1,304 TOTAL 151,472
Union County 54 TOTAL 15,176
DEATHS
New Jersey 98 TOTAL 10,843
Union County 11 TOTAL 1,005
As part of our COVID-19 relief efforts, the City of Plainfield is distributing free lunches to Plainfield residents. Lunch is distributed every day, Monday through Friday, from 11:00AM- 1:00PM. Distribution started at
the Gerald B. Green Plaza
this past Monday, and will begin at the
corner of Grant Avenue and West 3rd Street
, next week, Tuesday, May 26.
Stay safe and may God continue to bless you.
Creating One Plainfield, One Future
Sincerely,
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Oficina del Alcalde
22 de mayo de 2020
Queridos amigos y vecinos,
A partir del viernes, 22 de mayo de 2020, el número de casos positivos de COVID-19 en Plainfield ha llegado a
dos mil setenta y tres (2073)
de edades entre veinticuatro (24) días a noventa y seis (96) a
ñ
os. Hay
dos mil setecientos setenta y un (2771)
individuos en cuarentena como resultado de la exposición al virus. Ochocientos setenta y nueve (879) de los casos positivos se han recuperado. Hay cinco nuevas muertes que reportar hoy, dos hombres hispanos de sesenta y dos (62) y ochenta (80), un hombre de raza caucásica de setenta y dos (72) años, una mujer afroamericana de setenta y seis (76) años, y una mujer desconocida de ochenta y seis (86) años. Esto lleva la cantidad total de muertes a ochenta y nueve (89).
A partir de hoy, la distribución racial de las muertes positivas relacionadas con COVID-19 en Plainfield es la siguiente:
Negro o afroamericano-
35
Hispano o Latino-
28
Blanco
-18
Desconocido
-9
Total:
Ochenta y nueve (89) muertes, incluidos 45 hombres y 44 mujeres.
Los números para Nueva Jersey y el Condado de Union son los siguientes:
NUEVOS CASOS
Nueva Jersey 1,304 TOTAL 151,472
Condado de Union 54 TOTAL 15,176
FALLECIDOS
Nueva Jersey 98 TOTAL 10,843
Condado de Union 11 TOTAL 1,005
Como parte de nuestros esfuerzos de ayuda de COVID-19, la Ciudad de Plainfield está distribuyendo almuerzos gratis a los residentes de Plainfield. El almuerzo se distribuye todos los días, de lunes a viernes, de 11:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. La distribución comenzó en el
Gerald B. Green Plaza
el lunes pasado, y comenzará en la esquina de
Grant Avenue y West 3rd
Street
la próxima semana, martes 26 de mayo.
Manténgase a salvo y que Dios continúe bendiciéndole.
Creando Un Plainfield, Un Futuro.
Sinceramente,
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Join Us For This Year's
Memorial Day Program
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Each year we gather as a community on Memorial Day to honor, mourn and remember those who died while serving our country.
This year we cannot gather in the same way and we encourage you to pay homage to them on Monday, May 25th by viewing the Memorial Day Program on PCTV - Verizon channel 34, Comcast channel 96,
Plainfield News Channel on YouTube and our
Facebook Page.
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COVID-19 Relief | Daily Lunches
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SAVE THE DATE
Live Broadcast with Faith Leaders
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Join Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and several Community Faith Leaders for our second live broadcast on Thursday, May 28th at 6:00pm.
It is our goal that these programs provide unity, faith and hope to our community during these very uncertain and challenging times.
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Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Small Business Emergency Relief Fund
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The goal of the UEZ Small Business Emergency Relief Fund is to provide assistance to small businesses who may be experiencing hardship throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Small businesses play a significant role in the success of our Urban Enterprise Zone and our City as a whole.
Businesses may receive between $3,500 up to $10,000 from the City of Plainfield to assist with payroll, administrative overhead costs, and other operational components that may have been impacted as a result of closure during this time.
El objetivo del Fondo de Ayuda de Emergencia para Pequeñas Empresas de UEZ es proporcionar asistencia a las pequeñas empresas que puedan estar experimentando dificultades durante la pandemia COVID19. Las pequeñas empresas juegan un papel importante en el éxito de nuestra Zona Empresarial Urbana y nuestra Ciudad en gen-eral.
Los empresas pueden recibir entre $3,500 y hasta $10,000 de la Ciudad de Plainfield para ayudar con la nómina, los costos administrativos generales y otros componentes operativos de las empresas que podrían haberse visto afectados como resultado del cierre durante este tiempo.
CLICK Here
for applications and additional information.
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Plainfield COVID-19 Testing Procedure
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Community Support for the
City of Plainfield COVID-19 Relief Fund
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The City of Plainfield has established a Covid-19 Relief Fund to assist Plainfield residents who are experiencing financial hardship during this pandemic.
The relief fund is designed to provide assistance to families and individuals who need help in the areas of Rent, Mortgage, Utilities and other necessities related to Covid-19.
Click Here
to view application and requirements. Completed applications should be sent to COVID19fund@plainfieldnj.gov or may be dropped off at the Mayor's Office at City Hall.
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La ciudad de Plainfield ha establecido un Fondo de Ayuda COVID-19 para ayudar a los residentes de Plainfield que experimentan dificultades financieras durante esta pandemia.
El fondo de ayuda está diseñado para brindar asistencia a familias e individuos que necesitan ayuda en las áreas de alquiler, hipoteca, servicios públicos y otras necesidades relacionadas con COVID-19.
Haga clic aquí
para ver la solicitud y los requisitos. Las solicitudes completas deben er enviado a COVID19fund@plainfieldnj.gov o puede ser dejado en la Oficina del Alcalde en el Ayuntamiento.
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City Council's Budget
Deliberation Schedule
Next Session is May 27, 2020
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Important Update
Plainfield Municipal Court
COVID-19 Virtual Hearings
Effective May 11, 2020
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CLICK Here for Spanish Translation ( H
aga clic aquí para la traducción al español)
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City Hall - COVID-19 - Modified Schedule
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The Impact of COVID-19 on
Communities of Color
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A Nation Divided | COVID-19 Racial Disparities
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The Importance of Wearing a Face Mask During COVID-19 Outbreak
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The CDC is recommending that everyone wear a face mask or cloth covering when they go out in public along with continuing social distancing and other preventive measures.
A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important in the event that someone is infected but does not have symptoms. A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people must go into public settings (grocery stores, for example).
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Beauty for Ashes Grief Support
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The global coronavirus pandemic has created a new reality on how we grieve. It has forced us to process both individual and collective grief in the face of an uncertain future which we are powerless to control. Not only are we grieving the loss of loved ones but we also separated from our support systems that normally offer solace and strength during this difficult time. We can no longer count on the shoulders or arms of friends and family, we have to press forward alone.
Beauty for Ashes provides a resource during these trying times.
Click Here to read more.
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Resource Road Map - Navigating
Through COVID-19
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Click HERE to access the links in the above document.
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Complete the 2020 Census
It Will Shape Our Future for 10 Years
Plainfield Must be COUNTED!
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What You Need to Know about Census 2020
Candid Conversations
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and former boxer Hector Camacho Jr. sat down have a frank discussion on the importance of the 2020 Census, how it affects the immigrant population, and what it means to our community.
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To help our communities when we come back together, respond to the 2020 Census today
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Excerpt from Executive Order 142 Reopening of all Non-Essential Retail Businesses Effective Monday, May 18
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Governor Murphy's Executive Order-142 allows the reopening of all non-essential retail businesses effective
Monday, May 18, 2020
. Non-essential retail businesses are permitted to reopen to the public, but only where they adopt policies that include, at minimum, the following requirements:
- Customers shall not be permitted to enter the brick-and-mortar premises, but shall be permitted to pick up goods outside of the establishment that they have already ordered (“curbside pickup”);
- In-store operations shall be limited, wherever feasible, to those employees who are responsible for the operations required for curbside pickup;
- Customer transactions shall be handled in advance by phone, email, facsimile, or other means that avoid person-to-person contact, wherever feasible;
- Customers shall notify the retailer by text message, email, or phone once they arrive, whenever feasible, or make best efforts to schedule their arrival time in advance. The customer shall be asked to remain in their vehicle, if arriving by car, until store staff delivers the purchase;
- Designated employees shall bring goods outside of the retail establishment and place the goods directly in a customer’s vehicle whenever feasible; and
- Retail businesses operating in shopping malls are permitted to operate by curbside pickup, in accordance with the other requirements of this paragraph, but employees must bring the goods to customers at the exterior of the mall and shall place them directly in a customer’s vehicle whenever feasible. The indoor portions of shopping malls shall remain closed to the public, consistent with Executive Order No. 107 (2020).
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La Orden Ejecutiva-142 del Gobernador Murphy permite la reapertura de todos los negocios minoristas no esenciales a partir del
lunes 18 de mayo de 2020. Se permite a las empresas minoristas no esenciales volver a abrirse al público, pero solo cuando adopten políticas que incluyan, como mínimo, los siguientes requisitos:
No se permitirá a los clientes entrar en los locales de ladrillo y mortero, pero se les permitirá recoger mercancías fuera del establecimiento que ya hayan pedido ("recogida en la acera");
- Las operaciones en el local se limitarán, siempre que sea posible, a los empleados responsables de las operaciones necesarias para la recogida en la acera;
- Las transacciones de los clientes se manejarán por adelantado por teléfono, correo electrónico, fax u otros medios que eviten el contacto de persona a persona, siempre que sea posible;
- Los clientes deberán notificar al minorista por mensaje de texto, correo electrónico o teléfono una vez que lleguen, siempre que sea posible, o harán los mejores esfuerzos para programar su hora de llegada con anticipación. Se le pedirá al cliente que permanezca en su vehículo, si llega en automóvil, hasta que el personal de la tienda entregue la compra;
- Los empleados designados deberán llevar los bienes fuera del establecimiento minorista y colocarlos directamente en el vehículo del cliente siempre que sea posible; y
- Las empresas minoristas que operan en centros comerciales pueden operar mediante la recogida en la acera, de acuerdo con los otros requisitos de este párrafo, pero los empleados deben llevar los productos a los clientes en el exterior del centro comercial y deben colocarlos directamente en el vehículo del cliente siempre que sea posible. Las partes interiores de los centros comerciales permanecerán cerradas al público, de conformidad con la Orden Ejecutiva No. 107 (2020).
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30 Strangers Define Hate | Thoraya M.
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The Historical Society of Plainfield and The Drake House Present An Online Exhibit
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The Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum announces an online exhibit of “Plainfield During WW1 and the Influenza Pandemic.” The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of the 45 soldiers and their Gold Star Families from Plainfield and the surrounding area who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during WW1. Some were born in Plainfield and others were immigrants, but all served their country with courage, bravery, and valor.
Approximately 23 of the men succumbed to the Influenza Pandemic in 1918, and its related diseases. One of the men, Martin J. Kane, died as a result of pneumonia. He was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, and was stationed at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. He was called to duty to help guard Sayreville after the T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion or the Morgan explosion which occurred on October 4, 1918. This explosion leveled over 300 buildings, burned for 3 days, and forced the evacuation and reconstruction of Sayreville, South Amboy and Old Bridge. It is not known the exact number of casualties from the Morgan explosion, but estimates were over 100 and hundreds more were injured. Conditions were awful, and there was a lack of food and water. Because he succumbed to fatigue, caught the flu, and then pneumonia, Martin Kane was not counted as a casualty of the Morgan explosion. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Plainfield.
Special thanks is extended to Leanne Manna, Board of Trustee and Treasurer of the Historical Society of Plainfield, and graduate student at St. John’s University.
Future plans are to have a website dedicated to the men and women of Plainfield who made the ultimate sacrifice in all the wars, a Roll Call of Honor.
You can access the exhibit
HERE
.
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The situation with the Coronavirus changes rapidly and we want to ensure that you are aware of all resources available to you. Please click on the below button for a COVID-19 resource Guide
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Emergency Food Providers and Resources
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How Does Social Distancing Work?
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Skip the Trip to City Hall - Do Business Online!
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Coronavirus | Best Prevention Practices
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May 17-23 is National EMS Week
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May 17-23, 2020, is the 46th annual National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. In these very difficult times let's show our APPRECIATION for our EMS Team - Plainfield Rescue Squad.
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UNION COUNTY: Union County Clerk Advises on Vote-By-Mail for the July 7 Primary Election
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UNION COUNTY, NJ -
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi advises residents that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has ordered that the upcoming July 7 Primary Election will take place primarily by mail-in ballot, in order to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Existing New Jersey state law permits all eligible voters to use a mail-in ballot, for any reason.
“My office has anticipated that significantly more voters will use a mail-in ballot during the COVID-19 outbreak, and we have already begun printing additional ballots,”
said Ms. Rajoppi
. “We have been preparing well in advance to ensure that every eligible voter in Union County has the opportunity to participate in the July 7 Primary while observing precautions against spreading or contracting the virus.”
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The County Clerk will provide all postage for mail-in ballots and applications. In addition, all envelopes will be self-sealing.
The following adjustments have been made to normal mail-in balloting procedures in Union County and throughout New Jersey:
·
All registered Democrats and Republicans will automatically receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot in June.
·
All registered voters who are not affiliated with a political party, and all inactive voters, will automatically receive a Vote-by-Mail application in June. These voters must fill out and return the application in order to receive their Vote-by-Mail ballot.
·
Sample ballots will be posted on
unioncountyvotes.com
prior to Election Day; they will not be mailed to voters.
The following deadlines apply for the July 7 Primary Election:
·
Residents who wish to register to vote must do so by June 16. Registration forms are available online at
unioncountyvotes.com
.
·
Applications for a mail-in ballot must be filled out and returned to the County Clerk by June 30 in order to receive a mail-in ballot in time for the Primary Election.
·
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than July 7 and received by the Board of Elections no later than July 14.
“My office is working with officials in all 21 municipalities to help alert voters as to upcoming mailings and deadlines,” added Ms. Rajoppi. “Please do not let your ballot, or your ballot application, sit under a stack of other mail. Fill it out and return it promptly, so that your voice may be heard on Election Day.”
Also in accordance with Governor Murphy’s order, a limited number of secure ballot drop-off locations will be available for persons who cannot return their ballots by U.S. Post. A limited number of in-person polling places will also be provided, for voters who are unable to use a mail-in ballot. Ballot drop-off and in-person polling place locations will be posted on
unioncountyvotes.com
when available.
For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at
ucnj.org/county-clerk
or call 908-527-4787.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the Test Center, visit
ucnj.org/coronavirus-update
.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
New Jersey to Launch Online Grocery Shopping for SNAP Recipients
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Amazon, Walmart, ShopRites & The Fresh Grocers to Accept SNAP Online Orders
TRENTON -- New Jerseyans enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use their benefits to order groceries online starting next week. Online shopping will be available through Amazon and participating Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers.
NJ SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits card to order groceries from Amazon starting on May 27. Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers that that provide online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits starting on May 28.
“Online grocery shopping is another important step in our efforts to get affordable groceries to New Jerseyans during this public health emergency,”
Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said
. “Having the option to order groceries online is more important than ever, as we all work together to stay-at-home as much as possible. We hope that the launch of SNAP online grocery shopping promotes equity by providing participants access to a convenient tool that many New Jerseyans are already using to comply with the stay-at-home order.”
NJ SNAP currently serves about 700,000 New Jerseyans in 356,000 households, with the monthly SNAP benefit based on household size and income.
Recipients will be able to use their Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer card to purchase eligible groceries from the participating retailers. Under federal rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees.
To learn more, recipients can visit
Amazon.com/SNAP
to register their EBT card. Visit
here
to learn about Walmart’s SNAP online program. Any Walmart,
ShopRite
or
The Fresh Grocer
that currently provides online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits.
New Jersey received federal approval for online SNAP grocery shopping from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In addition to online SNAP grocery ordering, Human Services has taken the following steps to help New Jerseyans access affordable food during the emergency:
- Distributed an extra $106 million in additional benefits to SNAP recipients since the start of the emergency.
- Ensured that everyone whose benefits were up for renewal in March and April, or are due in May or June were extended for six months, meaning that nobody’s SNAP benefits will be ended during these extensions for not completing the renewal.
- Made it easier to apply for SNAP during this emergency by waiving the normally required interview and the hard copy signature on applications, so as to reduce the need for face-to-face interactions.
- Updated our online system to make it easier for SNAP applicants to track their application.
- Received federal approval to provide about 600,000 children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals $416.10 each to help with nutritional support during the time that schools have been closed during the pandemic. Benefits will be delivered in June.
"For those New Jersey families who may have difficulty getting to the grocery store - and that may be for a variety of different reasons -- using SNAP benefits online can make the basics of feeding yourself or your family a little less complicated,”
said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs the Division of Family Development that oversees NJ SNAP
. "We continue to urge residents to visit
njhelps.org
to learn more and apply for food assistance and other benefits."
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communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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One Plainfield. One Future
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