10 Thanksgiving Stories In Essex County You’ll Gobble Up
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s been a challenging holiday in Essex County. But even as state officials warn of Thanksgiving coronavirus risks, and the region begins to settle down from a nerve-wracking election, local residents have found ways to show that they remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving this month.
Catch up with some recent stories out of Essex County below.
10,000 THANKSGIVING MEALS IN NEWARK
Newark Working Kitchens (NWK), a COVID-19 response that activates local restaurants to deliver nutritious meals to low-income seniors and families, announced it will deliver more than 10,000 Thanksgiving meals in the city.
The meals will be delivered over the course of the week to Newark residents in senior, low-income and disabled housing. Each of the 24 restaurants involved in NWK has created their own Thanksgiving-inspired menu.
The collaboration got a boost via a donation from the Black Employee Network of Audible, which launched Newark Working Kitchens in April. Since its launch, NWK has delivered more than 600,000 meals to more than 10,000 residents across 60 locations.
See related article: $1M Donation Will Battle Hunger In Newark Amid Coronavirus
This week, NWK’s restaurants will be distributing over 10K #Thanksgiving meals to #Newark’s residents in senior, low-income and disabled housing. We’re extra thankful to be able to support our city during the holidays. Read more from @audible_com: https://t.co/vKsLr00tOF pic.twitter.com/sTKYb8Ein0
— Newark Working Kitchens (@newarkkitchens) November 23, 2020
VETERAN FROM IRVINGTON HELPS HOMELESS
A retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant from Irvington recently earned a big thank-you for helping homeless veterans in her home county.
Cheryl "Kit" Turner was awarded the 2020 Essex County Community Star Award during a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Newark. Turner, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, is the founder/CEO of New Hope Village 4 Veterans, a group that assists homeless veterans.
"I always wanted to wear the uniform," Turner said. "It's been a great honor and I love doing what I do."
Read the full article here.
EAST ORANGE BUSINESS GIVES OUT 1,000 TURKEYS
ProudLiving Companies distributed 1,000 Thanksgiving turkeys in East Orange, Newark, Irvington, Orange and Plainfield.
"Our Thanksgiving turkey events allow us to thank the communities we serve for welcoming ProudLiving with open arms," ProudLiving president and founder TJ Caleca said. "As an organization, it's important to offer support and show our commitment to our neighbors amid COVID-19 – providing a bit of normalcy to families this Thanksgiving."
Read the full article here.
A FRIENDLY FOOTBALL BET IN BELLEVILLE, NUTLEY
There will be a lot more than neighborhood bragging rights on the line when the Belleville High School Buccaneers renew their football feud with the Nutley Raiders on Saturday.
At stake will be the Mayor's Cup, a towering trophy that goes to the winner of the longtime rivalry. And although the game has been in recent years played on Thanksgiving Day, the mayors don't have turkey in mind.
Read the full article here.
EMERGENCY FOOD GIVEAWAY AT BRANCH BROOK
On Tuesday, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Essex County Board of Commissioners hosted a Thanksgiving emergency food distribution event at Branch Brook Park to help families impacted by the coronavirus.
Prior to the event, officials said nearly 3,000 frozen turkeys and boxes of non-perishable food would be distributed to in-need residents.
The program is meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food, county officials said.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN, BAKERY OWNER TEAM UP
Earlier this week, Newark police officers from the 3rd Precinct teamed up with state Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin and Miguel Texeira of Texeira’s Bakery for a turkey and dessert giveaway to local residents.
Pintor Marin, who represents Newark and Belleville, helped to distribute turkeys, food baskets and desserts to residents of Pennington Court, Hyatt Court, Terrell Homes and Aspen Apartments.
3rd Precinct Partners with Assemblywoman Pintor Marin and Texeira’s Bakery Owner to Donate Holiday Foods and Desserts To Area Residents https://t.co/FNCO70mG6i via @Nextdoor pic.twitter.com/fLd7OiQhW0
— Dept. Public Safety (@NewarkNJPolice) November 25, 2020
GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN FOR FOOD DRIVE
As the holiday season approaches, WSOU 89.5 FM has announced its latest goodwill project with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to subsidize its annual holiday food drive.
Dedicated to supporting the needs of the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, WSOU’s Food Drive is a time- honored tradition at Seton Hall University in South Orange. Traditionally, students from SHU and employees of WSOU collect over 1,000 pounds of food to donate to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey in Hillside.
However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food drive has switched to an online format. Learn more and see the fundraising campaign here.
As we all face the difficulties of COVID-19 we are drawn back into a sense of normalcy. Here at WSOU we try to create an escape. We also fall victim to the effects of the pandemic. Reaching out to our listeners, fans, and supporters to help us continue what we do. Link in the bio pic.twitter.com/pYyH3g6stG
— WSOU 89.5 FM (@WSOU) November 11, 2020
THANKSGIVING SAFETY TIPS FROM HEALTH EXPERT
Thanksgiving will be a radically different experience for New Jersey college students returning home for the holidays this year. And there isn't a cookie-cutter solution to keep themselves – and their families – safe from the coronavirus. But with some mindful steps, college students and their families can still be prepared, an expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School says.
Infectious disease expert David Cennimo recently offered answers to some common questions that might come up this Thanksgiving. Among his tips: families should do their own risk analysis and not necessarily look at what other families are doing.
There is one week until #Thanksgiving, and many college students are planning to come home for the holiday. Dr. David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at NJMS, has some advice for the upcoming Thanksgiving break.Learn more: https://t.co/W4aM7dZ4aq
— Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (@Rutgers_NJMS) November 19, 2020
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK GOES HOME
A pet pygmy goat is back with its grateful family after being rescued with open arms, the Montclair Township Animal Shelter reported earlier this month.
The saga started when a well-meaning bystander found the goat near Mount Hebron Road and Grove Street on Monday afternoon. "Anyone know this cutie?" shelter staff asked.
The story ended with a smile when the goat was finally returned to its family, who offered a warm message of thanks to the shelter.
Read the full article here.
MILLBURN COMMUNITY SHOWS HEART
In Millburn, the local PTOC outreach committee completed another successful food drive thanks to the help of the community, School Superintendent Christine Burton wrote Wednesday.
“This community shows its heart in so many ways,” Burton said in an email. “They packed and delivered 86 meals and donated close to 100 boxes of additional food to local organizations.”
MEND, Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Junior League of the Oranges of Short Hills were greatly appreciative of the support felt by the Millburn community, Burton added.
This article is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know about a local organization that should be profiled, contact eric.kiefer@patch.com.
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This article originally appeared on the Belleville-Nutley Patch
