Free Coronavirus Tests, Food Giveaway Event In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Essex County continues to hold free coronavirus testing and food distribution events in Newark.

The county will continue with its ongoing series of COVID-19 testing events on Tuesday, April 13 in Newark. The event, which is open to all Essex County residents, will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Essex County Hall of Records Complex, Employee Parking Deck, 50 West Market Street.

Here’s how it works, county officials said:

“Essex County residents with or without symptoms are encouraged to get tested. Residents age 8 years and older are welcome to get tested. Residents are encouraged to get retested if they have taken the swab or saliva tests 14 days ago or more and have received negative test results. Testing is provided free of charge; health insurance is not required. To make an appointment, residents should visit www.EssexCOVID.org or call 973-877-8456. They will be required to complete a short questionnaire. When finished, they will be provided with an appointment time and a confirmation number. Residents should bring the confirmation number with them. They are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment.”

Another free COVID-19 testing event is scheduled for Saturday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Essex County Department of Public Works, 99 West Bradford Avenue in Cedar Grove.

FOOD GIVEAWAY

Meanwhile, Essex County’s free community food distributions will continue in Newark with an event on Thursday, April 15.

The giveaway will begin at 9 a.m. at Weequahic Park.

County officials said 500 boxes of food will be distributed. The event aims to benefit families who have been forced out of work during the coronavirus pandemic and are not able to afford food.

Here’s how it will work, officials said:

“Residents driving to the site should enter the park via the Meeker Avenue entrance. Residents waiting to enter the park should line up along Meeker Avenue before turning right into the park. Left turns into the park from Meeker Avenue will not be permitted. Residents walking to the site should come to Rev. Ronald Christian Sports Complex. A station will be set up adjacent to the parking lot on the western side of the football field. 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; the boxes weigh about 40 pounds. 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. Buses will not be allowed to enter.”

Essex County officials added:

“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. Only one emergency food box will be placed into a vehicle's trunk or given to each resident who walks to the site.”

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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