Free Thanksgiving Meals For Needy At 2 Toms River Area Sites

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Those who are in need of assistance and food can get Thanksgiving meals to go at three locations in the Toms River area next week.

Fulfill published a list of sites in Ocean County that are offering to-go meals, which are replacing sitdown meals for the needy because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The takeout meals will be available on Thanksgiving at these sites:

Salvation Army, 1738 Route 37 East, Toms River. Working in conjunction with Hearty Helpings, will provide to-go meals of turkey and sides from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Simon's Soup Kitchen, Parish Center of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights. The meals will be served as individual takeout dinners from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

John Salemi, executive director of Simon's Soup Kitchen, said the Thanksgiving dinner is in addition to the normal serving schedule of 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday from October through April.

All of these organizations are seeing greater needs because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how you can help:

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 2020, more than 54 million Americans will 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.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.