Open Cupboard Food Pantry is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) agency serving northern Hunterdon County. We believe we have a responsibility to fill the very basic need for food for those in need. Open Cupboard Food Pantry began as High Bridge Food Pantry in November 1993 when Anne Underhill decided to help a family in need in her church. From its simple beginnings in an actual closet at High Bridge United Methodist Church, the Pantry grew to meet the need in northern Hunterdon County, changing its name to Open Cupboard Food Pantry in 1997 to reflect its growing scope. In 2002 the Pantry moved to a retail space in High Bridge and opened a thrift shop to defray the cost of the increased rent and utilities, with any extra income dedicated to buying groceries. Recognizing the need for more space and a more visible location, the Pantry moved to its current Clinton location in 2009. Today Open Cupboard Food Pantry encompasses over 5,000 square feet of space including offices, food storage, intake areas and a client area, as well as a bright, spacious shop with 2 handicapped-accessible dressing rooms. Over 100 volunteers work in the Pantry and thrift shop. We depend entirely on donations of groceries, personal care and cleaning items for the Pantry. Monetary donations allow us to buy perishables such as meat, produce and dairy products in addition to basic groceries as needed. The shop accepts contributions of clean, gently-used or new clothing, books and household items. All proceeds from thrift shop sales are used to defray the Pantry's operating expenses and purchase groceries as needed. Freezers and refrigerators allow us to accept donations of perishable foods. The Pantry distributes USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) commodities.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (908) 730-7320 to book your appointment.
Address :
37 Old Highway 22,
Clinton, NJ 08809.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Clinton
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hunterdon
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (908) 730-7320 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
- Bernardsville
- Bloomingdale
- Boonton
- Bound Brook
- Budd Lake
- Butler
- Caldwell
- Chatham
- Dover
- Dunellen
- Fanwood
- Florham Park
- Franklin
- Hackettstown
- Hopatcong
- Kenilworth
- Lincoln Park
- Madison
- Manville
- Martinsville
- Middlesex
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mount Arlington
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Newton
- Paterson
- Phillipsburg
- Plainfield
- Pompton Lakes
- Raritan
- Rockaway
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- Somerset
- Somerville
- South Plainfield
- Succasunna
- Summit
- Totowa
- Washington
- Watchung
- Westfield
- Wharton
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.