County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that applications to the 2021 Local Arts Grant program are now being accepted by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. Last year, Local Arts grants were awarded to 33 organizations.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support a program that does so much to enrich Union County’s cultural and artistic life,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We look forward to seeing the many creative programs and projects which will be supported by the Local Arts Grant program this year.”

Final application materials must be submitted to the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs by September 14, 2020. New applicants are encouraged to submit a draft for review by August 17, 2020. For more details and to apply, please visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/funding-opportunities.

Grants will be awarded to organizations that demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in arts programming. Applications must reflect arts activities to take place during 2021 with qualifying expenses to be paid during that year. Applicant organizations must be based in Union County, and arts programming to be funded must take place in Union County.

Funding for the Local Arts Grant program is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner of the national Endowment for the Arts. For clarification, assistance, or questions about applying, please contact Martha Sturm, Local Arts Program Coordinator, at 908-558-2552 or by email at msturm@ucnj.org.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Distributions are a joint effort with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey

      

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board announced the County will hold two drive-up food distributions for Union County residents to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, August 13^th and Thursday, August 27^th. Both events will begin at 9 a.m. at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, in Union. The distribution will take place in the parking lot located at the intersection of North Avenue and Morris Avenue.  The food distributions will be first-come, first-served and no registration is required.

The food distributions are being sponsored and coordinated by the County of Union and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

Feeding America, of which CFBNJ is a member, projects a 56% increase in food insecurity throughout New Jersey as a result of COVID-19–an additional 432,000 residents. This rate is higher than the national average of 46% and greater than any of New Jersey’s neighboring states.

In Union County, specifically, the projected food insecurity rate has risen from 8.2% to 12.9%.

“Food insecurity remains a major concern in these uncertain times,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “To that end, the Freeholder Board and the County continue to coordinate events such as these drive-up food distributions to assist our residents in any way we can.”

“As we all know, COVID-19 has affected all residents across Union County and this world. People are struggling with health issues, employment issues and food insecurity,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “These free food distributions are another example of the work being done by the Freeholder Board in support of all residents in need during this pandemic. We thank the partners and volunteers involved in coordinating these efforts.”

Residents who wish to pick up food must arrive in a car; walk-ups will not be accommodated.

Upon arrival, each driver will have to present identification with their name and address and indicate how many people reside in their household. Recipients will receive an emergency box of non-perishable items and fresh produce, with enough to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per vehicle.

“The increase in need for food assistance among our New Jersey neighbors during this crisis has been staggering, presenting a greater challenge than anything that the FoodBank has faced throughout its 45-year history,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Partnerships like the one that we have with Union County are what allow the FoodBank to continue its unprecedented response, reaching more individuals and families in need than ever before.”

Both events will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise masks are required. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, visit: https://cfbnj.org/.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

Movie will screen August 14 and 15; moviegoers must follow mask and social distance guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board reminds residents that they can reserve a spot for a free drive-up screening of Onward beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7. The online reservation form is available at https://tinyurl.com/DriveUpMovie.

Due to space limitations, registration for Onward will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Two screenings of Onward are scheduled, on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

Both screenings start at dusk. Both are open to Union County residents only, and require online registration. One registration is required per car (not per person).

Attendees must bring their own snacks and drinks. There will not be any food or drink available for purchase. Port-a-johns and wash stations will be available.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, no walk-ups or bikes are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart for social distancing. Attendees must stay in their vehicles unless using the port-o-johns (masks required for port-o-johns). No chairs, stools or other seating outside of the vehicle is permitted.

The Drive-up movies are hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Information about activities permitted in County parks during the COVID-19 outbreaks is available at ucnj.org/parks.

Visit Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center online at ucnj.org/Trailside for links to free online nature activities for all ages including the new “Virtual Summer Camp” series with different themes each week.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, thousands of Union County residents were affected by power outages, with some residents still waiting for power to be restored. The Freeholder Board is urging residents still experiencing an outage to exercise extreme caution when using generators, candles and other alternative power sources.

Carbon monoxide exposure from generators used during power outages after storms is a serious health risk that can lead to hospitalization.

“Generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning when used improperly, resulting in serious illness or death,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “No matter what fuel your generator uses, be sure to follow safety and usage instructions.”

Carbon monoxide is a gas that gives no warning. It cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can easily be confused with symptoms of common colds or the flu.

“If you suspect CO poisoning, handle it as a medical emergency,” said Mirabella. “Call 911 immediately and let the responders know about any generators or alternative fuel sources in or near your home.”

County residents and businesses using generators are urged to review the manufacturer’s warnings and safety instruction during power outages. These include:

 

• Never place generators indoors. That includes basements, garages and sheds as well as homes and other buildings.

 

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for positioning your generator outdoors. Generally that means at least 20 feet away from your building and any adjacent building.

 

Additional safety tips from the US Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/co

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Program resumes on Saturday, August 15.

Union County, NJ – Union County’s free scrap metal recycling program will not be held on Thursday, August 6, due to downed wires and other debris from Tropical Storm Isaias in Cranford and Rahway.

The program will resume on its regularly scheduled date of Saturday, August 15.

Free scrap metal recycling is available to Union County residents at two drop-off locations:

• Cranford – Emergency Services Building at 151 Kenilworth Boulevard.
• Rahway – Rahway River Park, at the park maintenance yard.

Both locations are open for drop-offs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, until November 21.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-9, participants must wear face coverings, keep their windows closed and stay in their vehicles at all times. Materials should be placed in the vehicle’s trunk, cargo area or truck bed, easily accessible to staff, who will remove it from the vehicle.

A complete list of accepted metals, and information on all Union County recycling programs, is available online at ucnj.org/recycling or call the Recycling Hotline, 908-654-9889.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.