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Union County Announces COVID-19 Emergency Drive-Up and Walk-Up Food Distribution, October 3

Produce will be distributed on a first come-first served basis. Food will be distributed to both residents who drive up as well as walk-ups.

 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board announced the County will hold an emergency drive-up and walk-up food distribution for Union County residents to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, October 3rd, beginning at 9 a.m. at Cedar Brook Park, located in Plainfield. Residents should use the Park Avenue entrance.

The food distribution is open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The event will take place rain or shine.

The food distribution is being coordinated by the County of Union and Village Super Market.

Feeding America 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%.

“Despite the progress being made, food insecurity remains a major concern among many families,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This distribution was planned for Plainfield in order to provide some assistance to residents in the western part of Union County that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“We continue to work to provide our residents with the necessary resources to support them during this time as they face unprecedented levels of unemployment, housing issues and food insecurity,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank the Village Super Market and volunteers involved in coordinating this effort.”

Residents wishing to pick up food can arrive in a vehicle or walk-up to the distribution site.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency and indicate how many people reside in their household will have to be provided. 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 or walk-up.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All drive-up 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.

Walk-up recipients must wear masks at all times and maintain social distance.

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 Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com/.

 

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free 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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