NEW JERSEY HOMELESS SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES AND MORE

AS IT STATES BELOW IN THE DISCLAIMER – WE ARE NOT A SHELTER!

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU CONTACT US:

DISCLAIMER

Homeless To Independence Inc. is a 501©3 non-profit organization. We are self supporting and we do NOT receive any  government grant funding what-so-ever to pay bills for anyone in any situation. We do not give away money. We do not give out loans against any money.

This ministry is supported with generous financial donations that are used to help keep us functioning. Our purpose is to help supply individuals and families with personal needs such as food, toiletries, clothing, household items and baby/adult diapers/wipes both locally and to areas affected by disasters . At this time, we do not offer any shelter or transitional housing services. Again, we DO NOT pay any bills. We DO NOT pay any rents or mortgages.

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If you are actually homeless, or about to be homeless or need emergency assistance of any kind, DIAL “211” from a land-line telephone. This will not work from a cell telephone. Tell the receiver your situation and what you need. They will give you information specific for the location you are currently in plus any referrals you may need.  They have the most up to the minute information for your specific area. Dialing “211” will get you help and much more info than this office can provide. Homeless to Independence wants you to have all the information you need to get through the situation you are in.

Don’t have a land-line telephone???  Go to your local police department, library, or house of worship and ask to use their land-line telephone. They may even make the call on your behalf.

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Homeless To Independence Inc. is not responsible for misprints or cancellations of events by the event holders, landlord and/or their agent, or ourselves. Homeless to Independence Inc. also reserves the right to “NOT” offer services to people and/or persons that are rude, unpleasant, and untruthful in any way shape or form, belligerent and the like.

OCCASIONALLY, THERE WILL BE ARTICLES BY OTHER WRITERS. HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE MAY NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THEIR VIEWPOINTS, BUT WE DO RESPECT THEM.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

OFFICE CONTACT INFO:

HOMELESS TO INDEPENDENCE INC., 201 STATION ROAD #258, QUAKERTOWN, PA 18951

THE VERY BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS TO SEND ME AN EMAIL:  ANN@HOMELESSTOINDEPENDENCE.ORG

OFFICE NUMBER IS:  1-908-454-1500 LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

Please note that our office does have very limited volunteer staff and if we are one telephone line we cannot answer the other line.  There is simply not enough time in the day to answer and/or return each and every telephone call.

THANK YOU!!!

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SEPTEMBER 2026 MERCER COUNTY FOOD PANTRY DAYS AND HOURS

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08-12-26 ROBBINSVILLE, MERCER COUNTY, NJ FOOD PANTRY

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JUST RECEIVED 07-31-26 OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY UPDATED LIST

Immediate Assistance

Affordance Housing Alliance: Homelessness prevention and housing assistance. Address & Contact: 3535 Route 66, Parkway 100, Bldg. 4 Neptune, 732-389-2958

Community Affairs and Resource Center: Homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing. Address & Contact: 215 Madison Ave. Lakewood, 732-961-3760 Solution to End Poverty Soon (STEPS): Homelessness and utility assistance Address & Contact: 14 Clifton Ave. S Lakewood, 732-367-1640

Ocean County Board of Social Services: Emergency housing and public assistance Address & contact: 1005 Hooper Ave. Toms River, 732-349-1500

St. Junipero Serra Parish: Food, utility and rental assistance Address & Contact: 50 E St. Seaside Park, 732-793-0041

Just Believe Inc.: Motel funding and housing assistance. Address & Contact: 200 Corporate Circle, FL 2 Toms River, 732-279-6157

Toms River Housing and Homeless Coalition: Connection to homelessness resources and other services Address & Contact: 405 Washington St. Toms River, 848-223-7284

Catholic Charities: Housing, utilities, food and clothing assistance. Address & Contact: 725 Mantoloking Rd. Brick, 732-363-5322

St. Francis Community Center: Counseling, food, housing and utility assistanceAddress & Contact: 4700 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach Twp, 609-494-8861

The Hope Center: 253 Chestnut St. Toms River: Client choice food pantry, hygiene products, baby supplies, rental assistance;(Toms River residents only at this time), referrals and other supportive services Contact: 732-341-4447

Ocean Christian Community Church: Food Pantry Address & Contact: 405 Washington St. Toms River, 732-240-5998

Salvation Army: Food and clothing Address & Contact: 1738 NJ-37 Toms River, 732-270-8393

Toms River Community Church: Food and clothing Address & Contact: 720 Robbins St. Toms River, 732-240-9550

Seeds and Service: Food and clothing Address & Contact 725 Mantoloking Rd. Brick, 732-746-3456

St. Pius X Catholic Church: Food pantry Address & Contact: 300 Lacey Rd. Forked River, 609-693-5107

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church: Food pantryAddress & Contact: 367 U.S. 9 Waretown, 609-312-7041

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church: Food pantryAddress & Contact: 367 U.S. 9 Waretown, 609-312-7041

IMPORTANT TO NOTE *Assistance is based on availability and eligibility. Placement in housing or a program is not guaranteed. It is always helpful to contact as many resources as possible to increase the chances of obtaining the assistance best suited for each specific individual. Funding availability to assist with rent, mortgage, utilities or motel placement is not guaranteed by any agency.*

Upcoming Events! Click on flyers to view them

Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services (PESS) — Survivors of Suicide Support Group When: Third Tuesday of every month, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Location: 600 River Avenue, Conference Room D, Lakewood, NJ Ocean County Health Department When: Fourth Wednesday of every month, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: 1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701 Additional Information: Click Here St. Francis Community Center — RISE Program Program: Readiness in Education and Skills for Youth and Adults (RISE) Details: Free classes available for Ocean County residents. Registration: Register Today – Click Here Sea Change Family Support Group Topic: Support for families navigating substance abuse When: Every Wednesday, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (via Zoom) Registration: Now open Contact: Call or text 908-291-2688 for more information. A Day of the Child When: August 5, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Location: Register here to attend Law for Young Adults with Disabilities When: November 13, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Location: Register here to attend

Real Help for Parents When They Need it Most The mission of Parents Inc. of New Jersey is to protect children by strengthening families through mutual support, parent leadership, and advocacy.

Parents Inc. of New Jersey was founded in 1977 through the extraordinaryeffortd of a courageous mother seeking help to create a safe andc aring homefor her family. Since then, the unique model of professional and parent working in equal partnership has been proven effective in helping parents find new and better ways to raise children. Over 25 parent support groups statewide and a 24-hour Family Helpline provide families HELP in the present and HOPE for the future.

Parents, Inc. of New Jersey provides: Support Groups: Free weekly parent-led, professionally facilitated mutual support meetings create a safe environment for parents to support and learn from one another. The Family Helpline (1-800-THE-KIDS): A 24-hour listening and text line providing information, referral and crisis intervention. Father Time: A three-pronged weekly program for fathers who want to deepen their connections with their children, families and communities. Training and Community Education: Speakers come to schools, churches, community groups and others to educate about issues affecting families and parent engagement. Volunteer Service Opportunities: All training is free of charge, professionally facilitated by Parents Inc. of New Jersey staff, and includes comprehensive training materials. All volunteers receive supervision and continuing education opportunities.

Just Believe Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides homeless assistance to residents of Toms River, NJ and surrounding areas.Larry’s Home is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and structured environment for veterans recovering from substance use disorders. The goal is to assist veterans in achieving long-term sobriety, stability and successful reintegration into civilian life and it is done by emphasizing peer support, personal responsibility and access to essential resources.

No-Cost NJ School Breakfast a Step Against Food Insecurity

As living costs continue to rise and federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid reduce food assistance for thousands of New Jersey families, more children are at risk of starting the school day hungry. Because participation in these programs also helps determine eligibility for free school meals, the loss of benefits will leave more students without reliable access to school breakfast. View Full Article Here

New Jersey has made important progress in expanding access toschool meals, but many families still struggle to afford nutritiousbreakfasts. Providing school breakfast at no cost to every student would eliminate stigma and paperwork, support academic success and student well-being, and ensure every child starts the day ready to learn. As federal safety nets shrink, investing in school breakfast for all is a practical, proven step to help New Jersey’s children thrive.

New Video: Master Leasing in Homelessness Response Sourcing housing is tough right now, but master leasing may help your community secure more units, make them available faster, and remove barriers to tenancy. Kris Freed of The Impact Group recently sat down with us to share insights from her extensive experience with master leasing. Check it out below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified about part 2 of Kris’s interview on July 29.

Master Leasing in Homelessness Response Part 1 of 2 Video

New Resource: What is Transitional Housing?In light of the current environment for funding and federal priorities, Continuums of Care (CoCs) and homeless services providers are forced to reconsider transitional housing (TH) as an intervention for people experiencing homelessness. This document will help communities understand how to apply the lessons learned from TH models of the past to create more effective interventions today, as part of an overall system approach to solving homelessness. View Now

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NEW JERSEY COOLING CENTERS

NJ Cooling Centers

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MAIN NEW JERSEY CODE BLUE AND WARMING CENTER INFORMATION

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03-29-26 ASBURY PARK, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ CODE BLUE UPDATE

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• Asbury Park (1)
• Atlantic City (2)
• Bayonne (1)
• Bloomfield (1)
• Bridegeton (1)
• Bridgewater (1)
• Brown Mills (1)
• Camden (5)
• Cedar Knolls (1)
• Clifton (1)
• Delanco (1)
• East Orange (2)
• Edison (1)
• Elizabeth (3)
• Flemington (2)
• Forked River (1)
• Glassboro (1)
• Hackensack (5)
• Hazlet (1)
• Hewitt (1)
• Hillsborough (1)
• Hoboken (1)
• Irvington (2)
• Jersey City (3)
• Lanoka Harbor (1)
• Lawrenceville (1)
• Linwood (1)
• Maplewood (1)
• Middletown (1)
• Montclair (3)
• Morristown (5)
• Mount Holly (2)
• New Brunswick (3)
• newark (14)
• Newton (4)
• Northfield (1)
• Oxford (1)
• Passaic (1)
• Paterson (5)
• Pennsauken (1)
• Perth Amboy (2)
• Red Bank (1)
• Ridgewood (1)
• Salem (1)
• Somerville (2)
• Sussex (1)
• Toms River (1)
• Trenton (2)
• Union (1)
• Union City (2)
• Vineland (2)
• Waretown (1)
• West Creek (1)
• Whiting (1)
• Woodbridge (1)

https://www.shelterlist.com/state/new_jersey

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NEW JERSEY BIRTH CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS

CHAPTER 98

AN ACT concerning birth certificates and amending R.S.26:8-63.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. R.S.26:8-63 is amended to read as follows:

Free certified copies. 26:8-63. The State registrar shall: a. Furnish a certification or certified copy of a birth, marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, fetal death or death certificate without fee in the prosecution of any claim for public pension or for military or naval enlistment purposes; and b. Furnish the United States Public Health Service without expense to the State, microfilm or photocopy images of birth, marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, fetal death and death certificates without payment of the fees prescribed in this article; and c. Furnish a certified transcript of any entry in the records of the New Jersey State census without fee for certification in the prosecution of any claim for public pension, for military or naval enlistment purposes; and d. Furnish without fee upon request for administrative use by any city, State or federal agency a certified transcript of any New Jersey State census entry, or a certification or certified copy of a birth, death, fetal death, marriage, civil union or domestic partnership certificate; and e. Furnish without fee upon request a certified copy of a veteran’s death certificate to the veteran’s legal representative, the executor or administrator of the veteran’s estate, or to a family member authorized to obtain a copy of the death certificate pursuant to subsection a. of R.S.26:8-62. No more than one copy of a veteran’s death certificate may be provided without fee pursuant to this subsection; all other copies of the death certificate shall be subject to the statutory fee; and f. Furnish without fee upon request by a homeless person a certified copy of the person’s birth certificate, provided that the person submits the request through a social worker or the coordinator of the emergency shelter for the homeless where the person is temporarily residing. The request shall be transmitted on the emergency shelter’s letterhead and shall include the shelter’s employer identification number and an attestation by the coordinator that the person requesting the certificate is currently homeless and residing at the shelter or the request shall be submitted on the social worker’s agency or professional practice letterhead and shall include the agency’s or the professional practice’s employer identification number and an attestation by the social worker that the person requesting the certificate is currently homeless. A certified copy of a birth certificate furnished pursuant to this subsection shall be transmitted to the social worker or coordinator who transmitted the request. No more than one certified copy of a birth certificate furnished to a homeless person pursuant to this subsection shall be provided without fee; all other copies of the birth certificate shall be subject to the statutory fee. As used in this section: “Fee” includes, but is not limited to, any search, certification, processing, authentication, standard shipping, or other fees that would ordinarily be assessed to furnish a certified copy of a certificate or transcript; and “Homeless person” means a person without a domicile who is unable to secure permanent and stable housing as determined by a social worker or the coordinator of an emergency shelter for the homeless established pursuant to P.L.1985, c.48 (C.55:13C-1 et seq.).
P.L.2016, CHAPTER 98 2

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Approved January 9, 2017.
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Emergency Food Pantry is now Accessible for People with Disabilities at

Christ Care Unit Missionary Baptist Church

TRENTON Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Commissioner Jennifer Velez today announced that a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to highlight the new accessible entrance to the Christ Care Unit (CCU) Missionary Baptist Church Emergency Food Pantry, 238 Sicklerville Road , Sicklerville.

POSTED 07-25-12

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Are you having difficulty making your mortgage payment because you have lost your job or because your employment income has been reduced? Are you looking for work but need short-term assistance to help you keep your home until you can find it? Or are you making your mortgage payments without a problem now but have arrearages due to a recent period of unemployment or underemployment? Help may be available through New Jersey HomeKeeper.

New Jersey HomeKeeper provides financial assistance to New Jersey homeowners who have a track record of making their mortgage payments on time but are now at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure as direct result of unemployment or underemployment. The assistance is in the form of a 0% interest rate, deferred-payment second mortgage loan. The loan proceeds may be used to cover arrearages and/or a portion of the homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment, including property taxes, property insurance, and mortgage insurance. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $48,000 in assistance for a period of up to 24 months.

New Jersey HomeKeeper is funded through a federal grant from the United States Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund awarded to States most impacted by unemployment and underemployment.

Click in the “Eligibility” tab above and see if you might be eligible for the program. A link to the online application will be available there!

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New Jersey Assistance Programs

Energy

1. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)– 1-800-510-3102
2. The Universal Service Fund (USF) – 1-800-510-3102
3. NJ SHARES (NJS) – 1-866—njshares
4. NJ Lifeline – For Seniors and Disabled- 1-800-792-9745
5. Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE) Grant – 1-855-465-8783

Telephone
Verizon’s Communications Lifeline – Low-income residents and Seniors, 50% discount. 1-877-652-9426.

Water
New Jersey American Water – Assistance with water bill for low-income individuals1-877-652-9426.
United Water Cares – No income guideline. – 1-888-942-8080 0r www.uwcares.org.

Energy Conservation
NJ Comfort Partners – Installation of energy efficiency measures, education and counseling for low-income households. 1-888-773-8326

For More Information

Please Contact: Tarry Truitt, Communications and Project Manager, ttruitt@merceralliance.org or 609-844-1008.

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Trenton, NJ:

The Crisis Ministry is pleased to announce the new Crisis Ministry at Bethany Presbyterian Community Center , 400 Hamilton Ave. in Trenton . The new Client Choice food pantry features a balanced selection of foods and is open every Friday from 9am to 12noon. Customers are asked to bring a form of identification and proof address for all residing in their home. For more information, please call the Crisis Ministry at 609-396-9355 or email Mark Smith, Food Services Director, at marks@thecrisisministry.org.

Posted 10-18-11

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Crisis Ministry Homelessness Prevention Update:

General Information
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9-12 p.m. and
Wednesday: 2-4 p.m, Closed on Fridays
Walk-ins welcome!
We are available to evaluate emergency situations and to offer advice during any of these times.
Back Rent, Mortgage and Security Assistance: Walk in anytime during office hours, speak to with a client
assistant and complete an intake. Please note that cases are subject to review for threat of homelessness and
affordability.
UTILITIES are only being addressed through our lottery list. To have your name put on the list, you must have a
shut off notice. If that is the case, please call 396-9355 ex. 29 and leave your information. Drawings are done
TWICE a month. You will only be called if you are selected. The list recycles every month, so if you do not hear
from us call back and get on the new month’s list.

*If you or anyone in your household receives: GA,TANF or SSI, YOU MUST go to Mercer County Board of Social
Services FIRST, either to get Emergency Assistance (EA) or a denial letter.

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A free housing service that helps people find a room, house or apartment that best suits their needs. Search by rent amount, accessibility features, housing vouchers and more. Also has information about moving costs, assisted living facilities, help for people who are homeless and financial assistance to help pay rent.

For more information visit this link: http://www.disability.gov/state/new_jersey/housing

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WE LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OTHERS!!