Author: corinnefiretto

The Union County Board of County Commissioners today announced the launch of a countywide food drive “Stock the Shelves,” to support residents who may be experiencing hardship as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, including those affected by the temporary interruption of November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and federal employees currently out of work. The County is coordinating this effort to help restock community food pantries and assist families, seniors, and individuals in need in the days ahead.

Beginning Monday, November 3rd, residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and essential household items at designated drop-off sites across Union County. Additional locations will be added on a rolling basis as community partners participate.

“We know this situation is creating uncertainty for many families,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “Union County is taking action to ensure our residents have support while federal benefits are interrupted. We’re asking those who are able to donate to join us in this effort. Together, we can help keep our community strong.”

Initial County Drop-Off Locations
• Union County Prosecutor’s Office – 32 Rahway Avenue, Elizabeth
• Union County Public Safety Building — 400 N. Avenue E., Westfield
• Union County Department of Public Works & Engineering — 2371 South Avenue, Scotch Plains

A continually updated list of drop-off sites will be available at: www.ucnj.org/food-drive.

“Across Union County, our food pantries and community organizations are doing everything they can to meet increased demand,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council. “This food drive is about making sure they are not doing it alone. I want to thank our residents for always stepping up — this is what Union County is about. When we come together as neighbors helping neighbors, we ensure that no one in our community is left without support.”

Please Note: Union County is only accepting food and essential household items as donations. This is a list of acceptable items:

Canned Goods

• Vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)
• Fruits (in juice or light syrup)
• Meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, ham)
• Beans (black, kidney, chickpeas, baked beans)
• Soups, stews, and chili
• Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes

Dry Goods & Grains

• Rice (white, brown, or instant)
• Pasta and noodles
• Macaroni and cheese
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Dry beans or lentils
• Cereal and oatmeal

Pantry Staples

• Peanut butter and jelly
• Flour, sugar, and cornmeal
• Cooking oil
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives
• Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa mix

Snacks & Ready-to-Eat Items

• Crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Fruit cups, applesauce, pudding cups

Personal Care & Household Items

• Soap, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper and paper towels

Baby Care Essentials

• Diapers (all sizes)
• Baby wipes
• Baby formula and infant cereal
• Baby food (in jars or pouches)

All donations should be non-perishable, unopened, and within expiration dates.

If anyone is interested in being a drop-off location, please email: UCCares@ucnj.org. The full list of drop-off locations will be displayed and updated at www.ucnj.org/food-drive .

If you would like to make a financial contribution, please donate directly to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which supports hunger relief organizations across Union County: https://cfbnj.org/.

For more information, please contact Judith Guest at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, is encouraging all Union County residents to join in making this traditionally orange season a little greener by participating in the Pumpkin Recycling Program, returning this November. Residents can recycle their retired Jack o’ Lanterns, decorative pumpkins, and other gourds from Monday, November 3rd, through Friday, November 28th, at any participating location during its operating hours.

“Our pumpkin recycling program gives the pumpkins we’ve enjoyed carving, decorating, and displaying this season a new, greener purpose. It’s one more way we can reduce the strain on our public landfills and keep our environment clean and flourishing,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “I welcome residents to take advantage of this program and visit any of the participating locations this November for an easy and convenient drop off.”

The Pumpkin Recycling Program of 2025 will run from Monday, November 3rd, through Friday, November 28th, at the following six locations:

Berkeley Heights
DPW facility located next to Town Hall | Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 am to noon
Elizabeth
523 Trenton Avenue | Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 6 pm
Saturdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm | Sundays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Kenilworth
401 Sheridan Avenue | Fridays from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm
2nd Saturday of the month from 7:30 am to noon
Plainfield
95 Rock Avenue | Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (drop-off until 2:45 pm)

Union Township
1 Swanstrom Place East | Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Westfield
1300 Lamberts Mill Road | Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Residents from any Union County municipality can use any of the six locations, regardless of their hometown. Only pumpkins and gourds will be accepted at these locations, with candles and decorations removed. Other food waste will not be accepted.

When the Pumpkin Recycling Program concludes, the pumpkins will be sent to the CORe facility in Elizabeth, which is operated by Waste Management. The company’s specialized recycling process converts food waste into organic slurry, which is used to enhance the production of biogas and other renewable products at local wastewater treatment plants.

Food Waste is a global issue that contributes to excess greenhouse gas emissions, placing financial burdens on local governments for waste disposal. Although the world discards approximately 2.5 billion tons of food annually, the United States wastes more food than any country, discarding nearly 60 million tons. This amounts to 120 billion pounds of food each year, which is estimated to be almost 40% of the entire US food supply. This is equivalent to almost $218 billion, or 130 billion meals.

Traditionally, food waste is sent to landfills or burned in waste-to-energy facilities. However, new organic recycling systems offer a more sustainable approach to managing food waste. Residents can also help reduce food waste by using up leftovers and donating unused shelf items before their sell-by date expires.

For more information, upcoming dates, and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at www.ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced today that the County will provide temporary financial assistance to households currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who are affected by the interruption of November SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

“We will not allow Union County families to go without food due to circumstances outside their control,” said Commissioner Chair Lourdes M. Leon. “SNAP is a lifeline for thousands of households in our community. While we cannot change what is happening at the federal level, we can ensure that our residents are supported, respected, and protected during this interruption. Taking care of our community is what we do.”

This emergency action is being taken to ensure that families, seniors, and individuals who rely on SNAP are not left without access to basic food support while federal funding remains unavailable.

“This support is a bridge — not a full solution — and we want to be clear about that,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari. “But when people are unsure how they will afford their next groceries, waiting is not an option. I will be working with state leadership to coordinate broader planning should the shutdown continue. In the meantime, we have to act where we can, and Union County has stepped up responsibly and without hesitation, showing what government should do in a moment of need: protect our residents, act decisively, and ensure no one is left without support. And as we move through this together, I encourage all of us to look out for one another — families, seniors, neighbors, and friends. No one in Union County should have to face hardship alone.”

Distribution events are being finalized and are expected to take place Monday through Friday next week. Once details are confirmed, the County will notify SNAP households directly and will post full information at ucnj.org and on the County’s official communication channels. This temporary assistance is for current SNAP recipients affected by the shutdown and does not replace benefits once federal funding resumes.

“Union County is able to step in at this critical moment because we have managed our finances responsibly and with foresight,” said County Manager Edward T. Oatman. “Where the federal government has not acted, we are prepared to support our residents. We are moving quickly and in a coordinated way to ensure this assistance is distributed safely, efficiently, and with dignity.”

Residents currently enrolled in SNAP are encouraged to continue checking their EBT card balance at NJFamiliesFirst.com or by calling 1-800-997-3333, and are required to continue submitting all documents so that benefits can resume immediately once federal funding is restored.

Official updates will be posted at ucnj.org as additional details become available.

The Union County Clerk’s Office has announced the opening of its two offices on Saturday, November 1, for any Union County residents who wish to pick up a vote-by-mail (VBM) ballot ahead of the 2025 General Election.

Residents may pick up a mail-in ballot, fill it out in a privacy booth, and deposit it in a locked box at either of the following locations from 9:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1st:

• Elizabeth – Union County Courthouse, Room 113 – 2 Broad Street
• Westfield – Union County Colleen Fraser Building – 300 North Avenue East

Those intending to cast their vote via a mail-in ballot have the option to place it in any of the 24 secure drop boxes located throughout Union County, or they can personally deliver it to the Union County Board of Elections at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, or the Union County Clerk’s Office at 2 Broad Street, Room 113 in Elizabeth, and 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

To submit a ballot in person, voters are required to show a valid ID or driver’s license issued in the state of New Jersey. To check to ensure your ballot has been received by the Union County Board of Elections, go to the Track My Ballot link on the www.njelections.org website.

Voters who choose to vote in person on Election Day, November 4th, must use their designated polling place, which is located on their sample ballot.

For a complete list of drop box locations and an online polling place finder, visit the County Clerk website at unioncountyvotes.com.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services, contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce the return of Union County’s Model Train Show and Open House this holiday season. For three consecutive weekends, from Friday, November 28th to Sunday, December 14th, this family-friendly event welcomes visitors and train lovers of all ages to explore the captivating world of model railroads, learn about local train history, and appreciate the craftsmanship firsthand through engaging tours and demonstrations. The event will be held at the A. Paul Mallory Railroad Center, located at 295 Jefferson Avenue in Union.

“Our annual model train show is a holiday favorite in Union County; once you attend, you’ll understand why. It’s an opportunity for adults and children alike to take a break from their screens, reconnect, and enjoy what Union County has to offer,” said Union County Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “The Commissioner Board and I are thrilled to continue supporting the Model Railroad Club, who organize the show, for creating this unique and engaging experience that residents look forward to each year. We can’t wait to see everyone there!”

This year’s show showcases the magic of model railroading, where special trains traverse across an expansive 11,000 square foot layout. Families can tour the trains and layout up close, getting an insider’s peek at the ongoing expansion. See how hand-laid tracks and scenery are meticulously crafted, and learn about the planning and engineering efforts that go into the club’s bi-level corkscrew loop. The 2025 show will also feature over 200 model train cars on a 1,600 square foot layout to tell the story of NJ railroads in the 1950s.

In addition to the HO-scale trains featured on the show, visitors can enjoy G-scale and N-scale layouts, a small play area for kids, a snack shop filled with delicious treats for purchase, and a railroad-themed gift shop to take home memorabilia from their experience. Jenny returns to share her story of growing up along the Trenton Northern railroad in a scripted show, “Jenny’s Coming Home”, running at the bottom of every hour.

The 2025 Model Train Show and Open House’s opening weekend will run from Friday, November 28, through Sunday, November 30, followed by a second weekend on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7. The event will conclude with a final weekend on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14. Visitors are welcome to attend the event from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.

Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child, and $8 per senior aged 60 and older. Children ages 2 and under are free. All tickets to the 2025 Model Train Show and Open House will be sold at the door. For more information, please call 908-964-9724 or visit themodelrailroadclub.org.

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity affiliated with the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation. All proceeds support the operations of The Model Railroad Club, Inc., one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. The Club has approximately 170 volunteer members who help to fulfill the mission of the club to educate the general public about the railroads and the industries they served in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas. For more information about The Model Railroad Club and its activities, please visit themodelrailroadclub.org.

For more information about all programs and activities hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit ucnj.org/parks.