Trinitas' Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Feeds 170 Families

ELIZABETH, NJ — It’s the time of year at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, an RWJBH facility, when the spirit of giving during the holiday season manifests a giant collection of food.

A tradition that began decades ago, the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive brought the generosity of employees, friends of Trinitas, businesses and organizations together to collect 170 baskets for 170 local families ranging in size from one to nine people.

"Sharing food is an act of love," says Sister Prudentia Osuji, Director of Pastoral Care, who leads the effort. "It is our mission to help feed as many families in need as possible. Our staff and donors look forward to working together to make this happen every year."

The Trinitas Foundation reached out to many donors and businesses to contribute. A bakery in Elizabeth donated 150 loaves of bread.

Ladies For Liberty, a NJ-based nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for the prevention of child trafficking and exploitation both domestically and abroad, launched the Patriots Pantry-Stop Hunger Initiative. They chose Trinitas as a recipient of their own Thanksgiving food collection, as did Coldwell Banker, Watson Abstract Settlement Services and Convention of States.

"Food insecurity is an age-old problem with a new name and part of our job is to help care for the community by using our resources to help answer the need," says Sister Rosemary Moynihan, Vice President of Mission Integration. "This year our Trinitas employees dug deep into their pockets and generous spirits to assist their sisters and brothers in need. We are overjoyed to help lift the burden for so many families during this holiday time and look forward to finding new ways to address food insecurity throughout the year."

— Submitted by Trinitas Regional Medical Center