1K Boxes Of Food Distributed In Belleville To Fight COVID Hunger

BELLEVILLE, NJ — More than 1,000 boxed of food were handed out to help fight pandemic-caused hunger during an event in Belleville on Thursday morning.

The “contactless” distribution, the latest in a series of such events by Essex County, took place at the Hendricks Field parking lot on Franklin Avenue.

Essex County officials said the giveaway was meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food.

"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," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

"We hope this emergency food distribution helps those families who are struggling," he said, adding that additional emergency food distribution events will be scheduled throughout the county on a weekly basis.

The Essex County Board of Commissioners shared video and photos from the event via social media.

The commissioners wrote:

“We had another successful emergency food distribution event in Belleville today thanks to the steadfast work of our staff and volunteers. Special thanks to Councilmembers Vinny Cozzarelli, Steve Rovell and Township Manager Anthony Iocono for lending us a hand. We distributed over 1,000 boxes of food, each containing several days of non-perishable items.”

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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