SNAP Still Matters
October 15 marked the 40th anniversary of a “Help End Hunger” United States postage stamp, fulfilling the goal of Phyllis AlRoy, a Princeton resident at the time and a tireless advocate for her vision of a world without hunger and poverty. She passed away this year at 97. Her initiative to see a stamp representing that vision took two years– thousands of signatures on a petition to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee and the strong backing by members of Congress, regardless of political affiliation.
The bipartisan nature of Congressional leadership for the stamp has, in the past, also characterized support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), to help prevent our US residents from going hungry. But right now, changes to the SNAP program contained in the Congressional Reconciliation law known as OBBB, endanger access to food assistance by thousands of our New Jersey families and others who are food insecure; hurt the farmers and producers who grow food; and the grocers who serve our communities. Over the next 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that this legislation will result in a $187 billion cut to food assistance. Dollars cut from SNAP translate directly to food being taken off the plates of New Jerseyans.
Most SNAP recipients are working families with children, elderly persons, and people with disabilities. There are over 33,000 Mercer County residents; 800,000 New Jerseyans; and 40 million Americans who receive food assistance from SNAP. This program, along with the many local charitable organizations providing meals and groceries, have helped to keep our residents from going hungry. However, as is the case now, the progression of time does not equal continued progress in protecting our most vulnerable residents. Our Congress is at a standstill. It looks like families may not see their SNAP benefits arrive on time, forcing them to reach out to already burdened community resources and also to make difficult choices in order to pay for food. I urge our Representatives and Senators to get back to work and to once again join together to pass a budget and new policies that reverse the harmful effects of recent legislation and ensure that our neighbors across New Jersey can survive and thrive.
Wilma Solomon
Tee-Ar Place, Princeton
Solomon is a volunteer with the NJ chapter of RESULTS, an organization committed to the end of poverty. Learn more at results.org.
Friends & Foundation of Princeton Public Library Say Thanks
The Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library wish to extend our thanks for the exceptional public support for our 2025 Annual Book Sale. We rely on our local community for our dedicated volunteers and extraordinary book donations, and we thank our Library colleagues who go the extra mile to make everything run smoothly. The event was a resounding success, with many happy customers from near and far.
The funds we raised together will be used to purchase new materials for the Library’s collection. We also raise money for the Library throughout the year through our much-loved used Book Store. This would not be possible without the generous book donations we receive from our local community.
To find out more about donating books and supporting the Library: princetonlibrary.org/support/book-donations-sales.
Jane Nieman and Jeanine Rosen
2025 Annual Book Sale Co-Chairs, Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library Annual Book Sale
