Mayor Ras J. Baraka, HelloFresh, ShopRite of Newark, Table to Table and Colavita distributed 3,600 complete Thanksgiving turkey dinners and additional food products to Newark residents this week at the Newark Training Recreational Education Center (TREC). The distribution was free and open to the public via drive-thru.
“Thanksgiving has special meaning in Newark because it is a city that comes together to give,” Baraka said. “Today we are holding a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway in our city and celebrating an amazing accomplishment – 2 million meals distributed in partnership with HelloFresh through the Meaningful Meals program. These amazing accomplishments are born of true collaboration where each partner gives and receives with generosity and joy.
The event also celebrated the milestone of donating two million meals to HelloFresh’s Meaningful Meals program, in partnership with the city. This outreach program began at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown in April 2020, providing free meal kits to Newark residents facing food insecurity. The program continues to this day, with volunteers packing and distributing 1,300 boxes weekly at locations rotating across the city’s five boroughs.
In addition to the 3,600 turkeys distributed, HelloFresh gave away 3,600 side dish kits, a holiday recipe card, and an additional pasta and pesto dish. The event was also sponsored by Colavita, Table to Table and WSL Produce House.
