Faith Community Food Pantry

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Faith Community Food Pantry has been selected again as a nonprofit partner in the Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program.

This time, your organization will receive $1 for each $11.99 specially marked Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold throughout the month of November 2026 at the following Stop & Shop location(s):

353 Route 37 East, Toms River NJ

Success starts with spreading the word, and we’ve made it easy, fun, and simple! When our community comes together, the impact is limitless. Every Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet purchase helps support your mission to make a meaningful difference for your neighbors facing hunger.

10/07/2026

Helpful Resources are Available in New Jersey for Prospective College Students
Student financial aid
From parents planning for their child's future to high school seniors considering their higher education options, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) is here to support families through the college process this fall. Families of young learners are encouraged to open an NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan now to begin saving early and often for a student's future higher education endeavors. The State even offers additional incentives such as tax deductions and a dollar-for-dollar match of the initial deposit for eligible residents with this plan. Students already in their final year of high school can find a helpful college resource guide at www.gtcinj.com. This free online publication, "Going to College in New Jersey", includes profiles of more than 50 colleges and universities throughout New Jersey, a comprehensive directory of degree programs, information on financial aid, and more. Explore your college options today!

https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/financialaidhub.aspx?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20261005_nwsltr&utm_content=state&utm_term=edu

10/07/2026

https://dcaid.dca.nj.gov/en-US/?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20261005_nwsltr&utm_content=state&utm_term=econ

New Jersey Residents Can Get Help With Heating Bills
Heating energy
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance for heating and cooling costs. The program also covers emergency heating system repairs and emergency fuel delivery.

Applications are open now. Call 800-510-3102 to determine eligibility and find your nearest application agency, or apply online through the State portal. The assistance is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

Apply for assistance through the Universal Service Fund/Home Energy Assistance Program (USFHEA), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP).

10/07/2026

Get Workforce Pell Grants for Short-Term Job Training Programs
Job training program
If you qualify for federal Pell Grants, you can now use them for short-term career training programs lasting 8 to 14 weeks—not just traditional college degrees. This opens up financial aid opportunities for fast-track training in high-demand fields like patient care, welding, HVAC, and other in-demand occupations.

Programs must meet federal performance standards for job placement, completion rates, and earnings outcomes, so the focus stays on training programs that lead to jobs. If you already receive Pell Grants or think you might qualify, this could be a way to get career-focused training without paying out of pocket.

Find out if you are eligible for Pell Grants by filing a FAFSA form with the US Department of Education. Pell Grant application assistance is available through your local One-Stop Career Center. New Jersey's Workforce Pell website shows which programs are approved and how to apply for funding.

Workforce Pell

09/14/2026

Eligible Families Can Claim a Child Tax Credit of Up to $1,000
House loan
If you had a child aged five or under in 2025 and you don't usually file taxes because your income is below the filing threshold, you might qualify for a refundable Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000. A new free website called SimpleFile makes it easy to claim.

Many lower-income families miss out on this credit simply because they aren't required to file taxes and don't realize they can still claim it. More than 200,000 New Jersey families already claim the Child Tax Credit each year, and thousands more qualify but haven't filed.

SimpleFile takes about 15 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. A video to help guide applicants is on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrCJGMvtf7E?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20260909_nwsltr&utm_content=state&utm_term=tax

https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/simplefile/njupdates/?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20260909_nwsltr&utm_content=state&utm_term=tax

Watch this video to learn how to claim the New Jersey Child Tax Cre...

09/14/2026

New Jersey Has Free Beginner Fishing Workshops This Fall
Fishing rod with fish on end of line
New Jersey is offering free hands-on fishing workshops for beginners and families at four locations this fall. All equipment, bait, and tackle are provided—you just show up ready to learn.

Workshops cover fish biology, equipment setup, casting, safety, and fishing regulations. You'll practice your new skills with a guided fishing experience at each location.

Three workshops are scheduled in September and October across North, Central, and South Jersey. This includes a Grandparents' Day workshop on September 13 in Hackettstown. Programs are open to ages 8 and up (some workshops 10+).

Registration is required and closes about one week before each workshop. Participants 16 and older need a 2026 NJ Fishing License (residents 70+ fish free).

See Workshops & Register

09/06/2026

We want to send out a big thank you to the Bayville Elks Antlers for giving up their Saturday morning to come volunteer at our Food Pantry! Thank you Antlers!! Thank you Shawn for setting up the special day for us!

08/31/2026

Great clean up today thanks -Kim Haley Bob Pat Kathie. Pantry is looking good

Coming up. Dietary need request being met. Stay tuned for new stock!