Essex County Sheriff's Office Kicks Off Holiday Food Drive

The Essex County Sheriff’s Office launched the first phase of its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Needy and Homeless Monday morning at Veterans Courthouse in Newark.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura said holiday meals will be provided to hundreds of economically disadvantaged local families and bulk food shipments will be provided to local soup kitchens and community pantries for holiday meals and for meals during the coming winter months.

Among the beneficiaries of the food drive are The Salvation Army's Grandparents Program, the Monday Club at Independence Park, the food pantries at Saint Rocco and Saint Ann's Church, Saint John's Soup Kitchen and the Safe House for Battered Families.

During the past 20 years, thousands of needy Essex County residents have received Thanksgiving meals through the program, according to Fontoura.

— Staff reports