This is a press release from Essex County. Press releases are official statements that have not been independently verified.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., the Essex County Board of County Commissioners and Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Orange, will present an Emergency Food Distribution Event on Thursday, February 4th at St. Matthew AME Church in Orange 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, February 4, 2021
Time:9 a.m.
Place: St. Matthew AME Church
336 Oakwood Avenue
Orange, 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 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,” Commission President Wayne Richardson said.
Residents who are driving and want to take advantage of this free giveaway should enter the parking lot by making a left turn from Oakwood Avenue. Right turns from Oakwood Avenue will not be allowed. Residents waiting to enter the site should line up along Essex County Monte Irvin Orange Park on the west side of Oakwood Avenue. Vehicles should approach from Central Avenue.
Residents walking to the site should come to a walk-up location by the church on Oakwood Avenue. Residents walking to the site must wear a face mask/covering and follow social distancing guidelines. It is recommended that residents walking to the site bring a cart.
Residents who are driving or walking are asked to not arrive to the site until 8 a.m. 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. Only one emergency food box will be placed into a vehicle’s trunk or given to each resident who walks to the site.
Buses will not be allowed to enter.
