An emergency food distribution event took place Thursday in Bergen County, New Jersey. 

It happened at Overpeck County Park in Leonia, amid the ongoing government shutdown as millions of Americans struggle to put food on the table, including tens of thousands in New Jersey.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, recipients and furloughed federal workers were the focus of the event, organizers said.

Thousands relying on SNAP in Bergen County

The White House initially said it would not release contingency funds for SNAP until the shutdown ends. After a court order, the Trump administration said it would release about 65%, but the White House has not confirmed when those funds will reach people.

"As of today, we've seen not one penny released. Not one penny uploaded onto people's EBT cards, and not one dime that is out there supporting our most needy residents. We have, in Bergen County, 26,000 households, about 43,000 of our neighbors who are relying upon the SNAP benefits," Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur said.

"They keep saying to courts they're going to do it, that they're doing it, but the dollars aren't out the door," Rep. Josh Gottheimer said.

House Democratic leaders held a hearing in Washington, accusing Republicans of blocking food and health care funds.

"It is an administrative nightmare. It will take multiple weeks for these partial payments to be processed," one lawmaker said.

"I mean, how are you supposed to live?"

Shelly Yearwood was one of hundreds who waited for boxes of food and fresh produce on Thursday.

"It's scary. I'm 9 months pregnant, I have kids. It's scary," Yearwood said. "I'm going to try to make it last us the next two weeks. That's what we've gotta do."

"It's hard. I mean, how are you supposed to live? How are you supposed to eat? I'm on a fixed income and it's hard. I'm retired," another recipient said.

Food banks say they're seeing demand like never before.

"The gap is huge. This is really not a sustainable effort," said Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Food Bank of New Jersey.

For those who couldn't make it Leonia on Thursday, county officials say more emergency food events are planned in the coming days and weeks.

"They can go to our website -- cfnj.org. They can put in their zip code to find resources there," McCarthy said.

"Bless everybody who is doing this. And everybody who wasn't able to get here, I pray that you were able to get what you need," Yearwood said.