Food Assistance Resources

William Paterson University is committed to supporting students by providing access to nutritious food and reducing food insecurity on campus. Explore the following programs designed to help:

Additional Food Resources:

• Campus & Community Food Resources

• Please contact the Social Worker for assistance with any of the below resources. She can help connect you with resources for food, and additional assistance with SNAP questions and application. 

  Find Free Food And Services Near You- Click link and enter your zip code

  Find Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens- Enter zip code at the top of page and click on Food Pantries and/or Soup Kitchens

  According to The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the ability to acquire such food in a socially acceptable manner. The most extreme form is often accompanied by physiological sensations of hunger. The 2020 #RealCollege Survey assessed food security using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 18-item set of questions.

  If you are having a tough time paying for the food you need, there is help available! 

  Pioneer Pantry 

  The Pioneer Pantry is a resource for all currently enrolled William Paterson students. We understand it is important to ensure that all students have access to nutritional and basic necessities. In the Pioneer Pantry, students will be able to select from a menu of items inclusive of proteins, grains, vegetables, toiletries, and more. The pantry is a collaboration between the Student Government Association (SGA), Campus Activities, Service and Leadership (CASL), and the division of Student Development. 

  Swipe Out Hunger

  Swipe Out Hunger is the national nonprofit powering the movement to end college student hunger.

  Pio's Food Share

  Don’t let good food go to waste! Pio’s Food Share alerts students when leftover food from campus events is available.

  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

  • How to Apply for SNAP 
  • Get Assistance with Applying for SNAP

  New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, NJ SNAP, provides food assistance to families and individuals with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a benefits card accepted in most food retail stores and some farmers markets. Eligibility is set by several factors, such as income and resources.  You can use SNAP benefits to stretch your food budget and buy nutritious foods that can keep you and your family healthy. 

  SNAP is accepted at these local businesses: 

  • CVS - 1762 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
  • Walgreens - 447 Belmont Ave, Haledon, NJ 07508
  • QuickChek - 442 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
  • Super Supermarket - 408 Haledon Ave, Haledon, NJ 07508
  • Trader Joe's - 910 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne, NJ 07470
  • ShopRite of Wayne - 30 Wayne Hills Mall, Wayne, NJ 07470
  • Stop & Shop - 1220 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne, NJ 07470
  • Aldi - 625 Hamburg Tpke, Wayne, NJ 07470

  Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 

  The New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children is commonly known as WIC. WIC is a successful public health nutrition program that provides wholesome food, nutrition education and community support for income eligible women who are pregnant and post-partum, infants and children up to five years old. 

  • How to Apply for WIC 

  USDA National Hunger Hotline 

  Find free food near you by calling the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479) or 877-8-HAMBRE

  Additional Local Food Pantries

  • Catholic Charities, 777 Valley Rd., Clifton, 973-737-2077 
  • Center for Food Action, 145 Carletondale Rd., Ringwood, 201-569-1804 
  • CUMAC, 223 Ellison Rd., Paterson, 973-742-5518 
  • Father English Community Center, 435 Main St., Paterson, 973-279-7100 
  • Oasis: A Haven for Women & Children, 59 Mill St., Paterson, 973-881-8307 
  • St. Peter’s Haven, 380 Clifton Ave., Clifton, 973-546-3406 
  • SMILE Food Pantry, 39 Hoover Ave., Passaic, 973-440-9360 
  • Star of Hope Ministries, 34 Broadway, Paterson, 973-742-1222 
  • St. Joseph’s Church, 454 Germantown Rd., West Milford, 973-697-6100 
  • St. Mary’s Church, 31 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes, 973-835-0374 
  • St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation, 456 Van Houten St., Paterson, 973-710-3900 
  • Trinity Assembly of God Feed the Need, 160 Passaic Ave., Passaic, 973-779-6047 
  • Wayne Center for Family Resources, 45 Reinhardt Rd., Wayne, 973-389-0011 
  • West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, 973-728-3081 

  Bus Transportation to Local Grocery Stores - NJ Transit 

  • ShopRite of Wayne - Board Bus 744 toward Wayne Preakness Shopping Center at the Main Campus bus stop (Lot 5), arrive at Wayne Hills Mall at ShopRite Bus Stop - Zone 2 Bus Fare $2.90
  • Trader Joe's Wayne - Board Bus 744 toward Wayne Preakness Shopping Center at the Main Campus bus stop (Lot 5), arrive at Hamburg Turnpike at Valley Rd - Zone 1 Bus Fare $1.80
  • Stop & Shop Wayne - Board Bus 744 toward Wayne Preakness Shopping Center at the Main Campus bus stop (Lot 5), arrive at Preakness Shopping Center - Zone 2 Bus Fare $2.90
  • Super Supermarket Haledon - Board Bus 744 toward Passaic Bus Terminal at the Main Campus bus stop (Lot 5), arrive at Haledon Ave at Zabriskie St - Zone 1 Bus Fare $1.80