We want to reach out to all WWPRSD families during this uncertain time to acknowledge a situation that may be adding extra stress to many households, the ongoing federal government shutdown and the resulting disruptions to federal food-assistance benefits.
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District recognizes that families in our community might not be receiving their paycheck due to the shutdown or might rely on food-assistance benefits like SNAP to feed their children and maintain household stability. With these disruptions, families might feel additional financial pressures, worry about how to cover grocery costs, or face hard decisions about allocating limited resources. Please know: you are not alone in this, and our school district deeply cares about supporting you.
Our WW-P students who receive meal benefits will continue to have access to breakfast and lunch through the free/reduced meal program. The application for free and reduced price school meals, will continue to be open and available for completion in PaySchools Central accounts or downloaded from the District website. If your household’s financial situation has changed (due to job loss, benefit delays, etc.), please consider completing or resubmitting a free/reduced lunch application. Even small financial changes may open eligibility. Elementary school families that currently receive food benefits and would like to participate in the Send Hunger Packing weekend bridge program may contact their school nurse for additional details.
Know that we in WW-P are here to provide support. Please reach out to your school counselor if you need help completing applications (WFNJ, free/reduced meal, etc.), language assistance, or simply want to talk through available resources.
Here are some resources to consider if your household is impacted:
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Apply for Work First NJ (WFNJ) benefits – while SNAP is frozen, WFNJ is still running. Eligibility info and application is accessible here.
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If you already receive SNAP, monitor your card balance and communication from your state’s benefit office about delays or changes. If the federal shutdown continues, November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be posted to Families First EBT cards. SNAP benefits loaded on Families First EBT cards prior to Oct. 31, 2025, will be available for use after Nov. 1.
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Local food banks, food pantries & emergency food distributions – Many local pantries are preparing for increased demand and distributing food to families in need. (See resources linked below)
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Community and faith-based support – Many local faith congregations, community centers, and mutual-aid organizations offer food boxes, hot meals, or grocery-voucher programs. If your household is connected to a local faith community, ask whether they have an emergency food assistance program.
For families who are looking for ways to directly assist our WW-P community members, you can donate to Mercer Street Friends and specify “Send Hunger Packing-WWP/Little Free Pantry” in the comments link. These donations will be directed to WW-P families. Donations (shelf-stable foods and monetary) are also being accepted by the Plainsboro Food Pantry that directly supports members of our community. For hours of operation, how to make monetary donations, and non-perishable food items that are currently needed, please visit the Plainsboro Food Pantry Website.
Local and County Food Resources
Photo by Matheus Cenali: https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-vegetable-lot-2733918/