ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND THE BOARD OF FREEHOLDERS

TO PRESENT EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY CORONAVIRUS

Event is Thursday, May 21^st at Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr.

School of Technology in Newark

Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present an Emergency Food Distribution Event on Thursday, May 21^st at the Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology in Newark to help families negatively impacted by the Coronavirus. The 1,000 boxes of food that will be distributed are meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food.

It will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2020

Time: 10 a.m.

Place: Essex County Donald M. Payne, Sr. School of Technology

498-544 West Market Street

Enter South 11^th Street at the rear of school via Gould Avenue

Newark, NJ

 It will be held RAIN or SHINE.

“The Coronavirus has forced an enormous amount of people out of work and created food insecurity among residents who now have limited income or no income at all. We are pleased to present this Emergency Food Distribution Event to help those who are in dire need,” DiVincenzo said. “The Coronavirus has created uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for us all. We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who are struggling,” he said, adding that additional emergency food distribution events will be scheduled on a weekly basis.

“The Coronavirus Pandemic has negatively affected our communities in a multitude of ways. Unfortunately, over the last few months, the number of Essex County residents requiring assistance to provide food for their families has increased. To that end, I am happy to join the County Administration in announcing that more food distribution events will be coming to different municipalities across the County. Providing service to our residents is something I take great pride in, and it is my hope the upcoming food distribution events will allow more Essex County residents in need to receive assistance,” Gill said.

The Essex County Emergency Food Distribution Event that took place in Branch Brook Park at the end of April was a great success. We were able to hand out over 2,000 boxes of food to residents in need. Our goal is to duplicate that success in different towns across Essex County, and give all of our residents a chance to receive food in a location that is in close proximity to their community. I thank the County Administration for putting this plan in place, and I encourage all residents in need to participate over the next few months,” Richardson said.

Residents who want to take advantage of this free giveaway must enter South 11^th Street via Gould Avenue. Left turns from Gould Avenue onto South 11^th Street will not be allowed. Residents waiting to enter the lot should line up along Sussex Avenue/Gould Avenue before turning right onto South 11^th Street. In addition, residents are asked to not arrive to the site until 8 a.m. Vehicles that arrive before 8 a.m. will be asked to leave. This is being done to allow for normal traffic flow through the area and prevent any traffic back-ups from being created.

The emergency food boxes contain enough food to provide about 40 meals. They consist of a variety of non-perishable food such as oatmeal, rice, fruit, peanut butter, jelly, shelf stable milk and canned vegetables, chili, soup and ravioli. Items may vary based upon their availability.

The emergency food boxes will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. When residents arrive at the site, they are being asked to keep their windows rolled up and to open their trunk. Volunteers will place one emergency food box into each vehicle.

This event will only provide boxes to cars. Buses will not be allowed to enter. In addition, people walking to the site cannot be assisted.

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