School faculty and leadership respond to SNAP benefit pause with comprehensive community resources and support
As families across New Jersey and the rest of the nation navigate the recent federal pause to SNAP benefits, Plainfield’s Queen City Academy Charter School (QCACS) is demonstrating what it means to provide truly holistic support to students and their families—especially during a time when that support matters most.
With 25 percent of QCACS families relying on SNAP benefits and more than 86 percent of scholars receiving free and reduced lunch, the school community understands intimately how the federal freeze could impact their families. Rather than simply acknowledging the challenge, QCACS organized to take decisive action.
The school’s message to families has been clear and unwavering: QCACS is here for them, regardless of federal policy changes.
“When you think about each one of those 126 students that are receiving free lunch because they are direct certification of SNAP, they’re attached to a family that may have a mother, a father, (or) an older sibling that we don’t touch because they don’t go to school with us,” said QCACS CEO Danielle West-Augustin in a recent interview with NJ Spotlight News.
Education Rooted in Community
QCACS’s response to the SNAP freeze exemplifies a growing understanding in education: that academic success cannot be separated from students’ overall wellbeing. By addressing food insecurity, connecting families to financial planning resources, and creating opportunities for community connection, the school is investing in the whole child—and the whole family.
As families face uncertainty this holiday season, Queen City Academy Charter School is proving that a school can be more than just a place of learning. It can be an anchor of stability, a source of support, and a reminder that no family has to face challenges alone.
A Vision for the Future
This commitment to wraparound support reflects the strategic vision recently reinforced during QCACS’s bi-annual Board of Trustees retreat on Saturday, November 8th. The dedicated Board came together to fuel their collective vision for the school’s future, with insights and commitment that continue to shape a brighter path for the entire QCACS community. “As they continue to expand horizons and set the course for the future of QCACS, their insights and commitment shape a brighter path for our school community,” the school shared on its Instagram page. “Together, their leadership creates a positive ripple effect, setting the standard for growth, innovation, and excellence moving forward.”
More Than Just Meals
From SNAP to other kinds of wrap-around services, QCACS has continued to emphasize the fundamental belief that academic success starts with having basic needs met – and that the community is stronger when everyone supports each other.
Building on this foundation of holistic care, QCACS is hosting a comprehensive Resource Fair on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event goes far beyond emergency food distribution, offering families access to financial planning services and a wide range of community resources—exactly the kind of support that can help families navigate challenging economic times.
The Resource Fair will feature vendor pop-ups, light refreshments, and free giveaways. Perhaps most special for families heading into the holiday season: each family will receive a free professional holiday family photo, creating lasting memories during what might otherwise be a difficult time.
To learn more and express interest in participating in the Resource Fair, visit here.