• Cape May Local Scoop
  • Posts
  • Cape May County Food Banks Brace for Thanksgiving as More Families Struggle to Afford Groceries

Cape May County Food Banks Brace for Thanksgiving as More Families Struggle to Afford Groceries

Issue #867

November 11, 2026

In partnership with

Analytics on Live Data Without Leaving Postgres

When analytics on Postgres slows down, most teams add a second database. Then come the pipelines, the sync jobs, and a copy of your data that's always a little behind.

TimescaleDB takes a different approach: extend Postgres instead of splitting away from it. Hypertables partition your data automatically as volume grows. Hypercore compression cuts storage up to 95%. Continuous aggregates keep dashboards live without re-querying everything.

CERN runs Postgres this way for sensor data from the Large Hadron Collider.

No split architecture, no pipeline lag, no new query language to learn. Same SQL, same drivers, same tools.

Start on Tiger Cloud and get $1000 in credits.

 

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎄Cape May County Food Banks Brace for Thanksgiving as More Families Struggle to Afford Groceries

🛦Candlelight, Craft Beer and Fall Foliage Highlight Special Evening at Cold Spring Village

🎡Wildwood Crest Ends 17-Year Parking Rate Freeze with 100% Increase

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇

 November 11

Have an Upcoming Event?

,

10 Years of Trusted CBD: Save 30% on CBDistillery

The CBD industry has grown exponentially, but one of the industry’s first companies remains one the most-trusted: CBDistillery. 

And CBDistillery is celebrating a decade of helping customers find relief, relaxation and better sleep with early Black Friday savings: our readers can save 30% with code BF30, now through Black Friday. 

West Cape May Hospitality Night Returns November 20 With Holiday Deals and Giveaways

As Thanksgiving approaches, food banks throughout Cape May County and southern New Jersey are facing growing demand as rising grocery prices, reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and increasing household expenses leave more families struggling to afford basic necessities. Local hunger-relief organizations are calling on residents, businesses and community groups to help provide food, financial contributions and volunteer support during the holiday season and beyond.

The Cape May Community Food Closet, located at 500 Hughes St. in Cape May, serves residents of Cape May, Cape May Point, West Cape May and Lower Township. Executive Director Nancy Hanslowe says the rising cost of groceries is creating additional hardships for working families and senior citizens living on fixed incomes. Many individuals seeking assistance are employed, sometimes holding multiple jobs, but still struggle to cover everyday expenses. The nonprofit distributes groceries twice monthly and relies on community donations to keep its shelves stocked.

With Thanksgiving approaching, the Food Closet is requesting traditional holiday foods such as stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, gravy, instant potatoes and other meal essentials. Everyday staples, including peanut butter, canned tuna, cereal, pasta, rice and canned vegetables, are also urgently needed. In addition to groceries, the organization provides hygiene and household products such as toothpaste, soap, deodorant and toilet paper, which cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is experiencing similar challenges. The organization reports that approximately 1.2 million New Jersey residents, including more than 330,000 children, experience food insecurity. Working with more than 800 partner agencies across 11 counties, including Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland, CFBNJ provides food assistance to households facing financial hardship. President and CEO Elizabeth McCarthy says food pantries are increasingly serving working individuals and families whose incomes are insufficient to meet rising living costs, along with residents affected by reductions in government assistance.

CFBNJ is encouraging donations of nutritious, high-protein foods such as canned chicken, tuna and peanut butter, along with Thanksgiving meal ingredients and other nonperishable products. The organization also accepts turkeys, chickens and hams through advance arrangements. Beyond food, there is an ongoing need for diapers, menstrual products and personal hygiene supplies, which can place additional financial strain on low-income households.

Local hunger-relief efforts also include the Cape May County Special Services Food Pantry, which works with students and school district staff to provide nutritious food to county residents in need. The program demonstrates how schools and young people can play an important role in addressing food insecurity while encouraging community service and compassion.

Food bank leaders emphasize that hunger affects people from all backgrounds, including working parents, retirees, children and families living in communities that may otherwise appear financially secure. As more households turn to food pantries for assistance, organizations are encouraging year-round contributions rather than limiting charitable giving to the holiday season.

Community members can make a meaningful difference by donating groceries, household essentials or money, organizing food drives and volunteering at local distribution centers. With demand continuing to rise, Cape May County food banks stress that consistent neighborhood support is essential to ensuring families have access to nutritious meals during Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

Residents interested in donating or volunteering can contact the Cape May Community Food Closet at (609) 600-7715 or visit www.cmfoodcloset.org. Additional information about regional hunger-relief programs and volunteer opportunities is available through the Community FoodBank of New Jersey

Candlelight, Craft Beer and Fall Foliage Highlight Special Evening at Cold Spring Village

Historic Cold Spring Village will host its annual Candlelight Walk on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering guests ages 21 and older an evening of history, autumn scenery, wine and craft beer tastings, and seasonal refreshments. The event will transform the Village's 30-acre living history museum into an illuminated setting, with lanterns and luminaries lining the pathways and glowing fireplaces welcoming visitors into restored historic buildings.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore select buildings throughout the Village while interacting with period-dressed historical interpreters who will share stories about Cape May County's past. The evening offers a different perspective on the historic property, combining the atmosphere of a 19th-century rural community with the beauty of fall foliage and candlelit surroundings.

The event will feature craft beer tastings from Cold Spring Brewery and wine selections from Willow Creek Winery, along with light fare, seasonal refreshments and desserts. Visitors can stroll between designated tasting locations, enjoy the historic atmosphere and learn more about the Village's role in preserving South Jersey's cultural heritage.

The Village Country Store will also remain open during the event, providing an opportunity for early holiday shopping. Guests can browse heritage-inspired merchandise, seasonal decorations and specialty gifts as the region prepares for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.

Due to the event's popularity, organizers have expanded the seasonal Candlelight Walk offering to two weekends. The program continues to attract visitors seeking an alternative to traditional autumn activities, blending local history, regional beverages and a distinctive evening atmosphere.

Advance tickets are required and must be purchased by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Guests must enter through the Seashore Road entrance near Cold Spring Brewery, as the main Route 9 gates will remain closed during the event.

The Candlelight Walk provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience one of Cape May County's best-known historic attractions in a memorable seasonal setting. Tickets and additional information are available through Historic Cold Spring Village's online reservation system.

Wildwood Crest Ends 17-Year Parking Rate Freeze with 100% Increase

Wildwood Crest visitors will pay significantly more for metered parking beginning in the summer of 2027 after the Borough Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 1500 on Nov. 3, 2026. The ordinance raises the maximum hourly parking meter rate from $1.50 to $3, representing the borough's first increase since 2009. Borough officials reportedly confirmed that the full $3 rate will apply to all existing metered spaces, although no additional parking meters will be installed.

The increase will double parking expenses for motorists using metered spaces. A four-hour stay will rise from $6 to $12, while an eight-hour beach visit will cost $24 instead of $12. The borough's regulations limit parking at an individual metered space to eight hours. For families and tourists spending extended periods at the shore, the higher fees could become a noticeable addition to summer vacation expenses.

Despite the increase, Wildwood Crest will continue offering free beach access without requiring beach tags. This remains an important benefit for families and visitors compared with shore communities that charge admission to their beaches. Motorists who use parking spaces outside existing metered areas will not be affected by the new hourly rate.

As the 2027 summer season approaches, Wildwood Crest visitors are encouraged to plan for the higher parking costs while taking advantage of the borough's continued free beach access. The changes are expected to affect residents, seasonal visitors and vacationers who regularly park in existing metered spaces..

What notable distinction does the city of Cape May, New Jersey hold in American history?

What notable distinction does the city of Cape May, New Jersey hold in American history?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

 Answer to the November 10th Trivia Question 

Which significant historical industry was prominent in Cape May during the 17th and 18th centuries?

A) Coal Mining
B) Whaling and Fishing
C) Textile Manufacturing
D) Lumber

Answer: B) Whaling and Fishing

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Cape May was known for its prosperous whaling and fishing industry, which was developed by early settlers and continued by English colonists​.

How Did We Do In This Issue?

Cape May Local Scoop Wants To Know Your Thoughts About Our Newsletter...

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.