East Orange Mayor Ted R. Green City Council hosted two turkey giveaways for local residents and a Thanksgiving lunch for seniors.
The first giveaway took place last Friday at Imani Baptist Church of Christ and was hosted by Third Ward Councilmembers Bergson Leneus and Vernon Pullins Jr. in partnership with The Angel Project, Circles for Healing Nonprofit Organization, Proud Living Communities, and the Third Ward County Committee.
On Saturday Green and the City Council, in conjunction with The Ted R. Green Foundation hosted “A Day of Giving” at Calvary Baptist Church. On Monday, Nov. 22, the Division of Senior Services hosted a Thanksgiving Lunch with the mayor and council at the East Orange Senior Center.
“This holiday season, we are grateful for our ability to continue to be a blessing to the families within our community, and I want to thank all of our sponsors who helped us make these events possible,” said Green. “As we embark on another year of uncertainty and COVID restrictions, I hope the families in our community have an opportunity to safely reconnect and recharge with their loved ones.”
According to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, about 1.2 million people in the state can’t afford regular access to food, a 33% increase prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Essex County has the highest rate of food insecurity in New Jersey at 17%. More than 900,000 people in New Jersey (1 in 10) are food insecure.