Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/24/2024
(NEWARK, NJ) -- On June 24, 2024, Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined with HelloFresh, No Kid Hungry, and Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger León to distribute 4,000 free meals to families and youth at risk and in need at Chancellor Avenue Elementary School. The school is located at 321 Chancellor Avenue in Newark's South Ward.
Along with city workers, the mayor, the superintendent, and HelloFresh North America Senior Director of Sustainability Jeff Yorzyk distributed 4,000 HelloFresh meals with wholesome, easy-to-follow recipes designed especially for families with kids. They also provided information on family grocery benefits, including Summer EBT, SNAP, and a free local meal finder, courtesy of No Kid Hungry. The program is aimed at reducing hunger in Newark, which is more pronounced in summer when kids do not eat at school.
“During summer, many Newark youths lose access to nutritious meals served for breakfast and lunch in our schools,” Mayor Baraka said. “In addition, our city still suffers from ‘food deserts,’ where a wide selection of nutritious food is often not conveniently accessible. These meal kits with delicious recipes help to close that gap and I thank HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry for partnering to offer our residents this important program that keeps families well nourished.”
This community event was part of a new “13 for 13 Million” campaign, a joint initiative from HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry that aims to raise awareness of the issue of childhood food insecurity and its effect on 13 million kids nationwide.
“This initiative, powered by HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry, underscores our commitment to ensuring no child in Newark goes hungry. Together, we’re not just sharing meals; we’re sharing the promise of a brighter, healthier future for our community,” said Superintendent León.
This event is not the first time HelloFresh has supported Newark residents. On November 20, 2023, HelloFresh joined with ShopRite and the city to distribute 3,600 complete Thanksgiving turkey dinners, 3,600 side dish kits, a holiday recipe card, and an extra pasta and pesto dish. The event was a donation milestone of 2 million meals for HelloFresh’s Meals with Meaning program, in partnership with the city.
“Our mission at HelloFresh is to change the way that people eat and that includes ensuring access to wholesome food for all,” said Mr. Yorzyk. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the City of Newark to help alleviate summer hunger for children and their parents during such a critical time.”
The City of Newark/HelloFresh partnership began at the beginning of the COVID shutdown in April 2020, providing free meal kits to Newark residents facing food insecurity, with city volunteers packing and distributing 1,300 boxes per week at locations rotating through the city’s five wards. This weekly Meals with Meaning program continues to this day.
HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit provider, is on a mission to change the way people eat forever—that includes ensuring access to food for all, all year round. That’s why HelloFresh is partnering with No Kid Hungry to join the fight against childhood hunger and support their mission of making sure every kid gets three meals a day, 365 days a year with the help of local partners including the City of Newark. As schools let out for summer, HelloFresh and No Kid Hungry are kicking off their national partnership with the 13 for 13 Million campaign to raise awareness of childhood food insecurity and its effect on 13 million kids nationwide. As part of the campaign, HelloFresh will be supporting 13 communities across the country—including the City of Newark—with community donation events, “pop-up” community food pantries and more.
HelloFresh’s national Meals with Meaning program has delivered more than 6 million meals to date across the country.
For more information and to join the fight against child hunger, visit HelloFresh ǀ No Kid Hungry.
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