(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Believe in Newark Foundation, Shop-Rite of Newark, HelloFresh, Green Giant, Pepsi, Sylvia's Soul Food Products, Bindi North America, Inc., Baldor Specialty Foods, and The Brantley Brothers Transportation Company distributed close to 6,000 turkeys and additional food products to Newark residents at TREC on 55 Ludlow Street, Newark and multiple locations throughout the city to ensure proper social distancing.
"2020 has been a challenging year, but through our unity, commitment to progress, and mutual love, we still have much to be thankful for. I am happy to share the bounty of this season to our residents along with my wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving," Mayor Baraka said.
The Thanksgiving care packages were assembled at JFK Recreation Center, 211 West Kinney Street, where the turkeys were delivered and boxed with other Thanksgiving groceries by City employees and other volunteers. The Mayor attended the giveaway at TREC at 12:15 p.m.
The turkeys were disseminated on a first-come first-served basis at multiple sites around the city. Close to 6,000 turkeys were given away.
"HelloFresh is proud to continue our partnership with Mayor Baraka and the Believe In Newark Foundation to provide residents with fresh ingredients to make a traditional Thanksgiving feast," said Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh US.
The City is grateful for the generous support this year from its sponsor, the Believe in Newark Foundation, and the co-sponsors:
* Shop-Rite of Newark: 6,000 turkeys
* HelloFresh: Delivered 5,000 kits of Thanksgiving side items
* Green Giant: Donated 6,000 units of canned goods
* Pepsi: Donated 3,000 units of assorted Pepsi products
* Sylvia's Soul Food Products: Donated multiple units from Sylvia's Food Product line
* Bindi North America, Inc.: 1291 boxes of Mini-Mixed Berry Tarts
* Brantley Brothers: Transported donations to the JFK site
* Baldor's: Multiple cases of fresh produce
"We are honored to work with the City of Newark to provide fresh, nutritious produce to the communities the Newark Gives Thanks initiative supports," said Thomas McQuillan, Vice President of Strategy, Culture, and Sustainability for Baldor Specialty Foods. "Through our Baldor Cares program, it has long been our tradition to share with people in need during the holiday season. And this year we are stepping up our efforts more than ever to reach those families who are most vulnerable."
"We are thrilled to donate 6,000 cans of vegetables to the City of Newark for their annual Thanksgiving food drive," said Jordan Greenberg, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, B&G Foods. "For more than 100 years, families across America have enjoyed Green Giant vegetables at their Thanksgiving tables and as a New Jersey-based company, we're proud to contribute to the city of Newark."
"Each year, the Believe In Newark Foundation along with the City of Newark provides thousands of turkeys to Newark families in need to show our love and support of these families and enable them to share in the special warmth of this festive time of year," said Believe in Newark Foundation Board President Andre Hollis. "This gesture also reminds those of us who enjoy prosperity and are in positions of leadership of our constitutional and moral obligation to create change to empower and strengthen the lives of all of our residents all year long," he added.
