Essex County Leaders To Hold Newark Food Distribution Event – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, N.J. —Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo and the Essex County Board of County Commissioners have announced they will be hosting a Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event next week in Newark.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the city’s Essex County Weequahic Park, at Elizabeth Avenue and Meeker Avenue. Organizers said 1,000 frozen turkeys and holiday dinner boxes, with non-perishable items served during a traditional holiday meal, will be distributed. Attendees can receive one turkey and one food box, organizers said.

The program, which will take place rain or shine, is meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food, especially families negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, DiVincenzo said.

“The coronavirus exacerbated an existing food insecurity problem experienced by many of our residents,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to present this special Holiday Emergency Food Distribution Event for those who are in dire need and to make sure all our families have something to be thankful for this year.

“The coronavirus has created uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for us all. We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who continue to struggle.”

According to organizers, residents driving to the site should enter the park via the Meeker Avenue entrance, and cars should line up along Meeker Avenue before turning right into the park. Left turns into the park from Meeker Avenue will not be permitted.

Meanwhile, residents walking to the event should come to the Rev. Ronald Christian Sports Complex, where a station will be set up adjacent to the parking lot on the western side of the football field.

The turkeys and food boxes will be placed in the trunk of vehicles or handed to the residents who are on foot. Those walking to the event should bring a cart for the food.

Also, those on foot must wear a face mask/covering and follow social distancing guidelines, organizers said.

“Unfortunately, food insecurity remains an issue that many Essex County residents continue to face,” Commissioner Wayne Richardson said. “Our weekly food distribution events were very successful in providing relief during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic through the Spring of 2021, and I applaud the county executive and our county leadership for taking the steps to coordinate a distribution event for our residents in need prior to the holidays.”