Turkey Giveaway Showcased ‘Empathy, Strength’ In NJ-34: Timberlake

EAST ORANGE, NJ — It was a holiday event that showcased the “strength of collective effort and empathy.”

New Jersey Sen. Britnee Timberlake (NJ-34), her staff, dozens of volunteers and donors from the community teamed up to hold a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway in East Orange on Nov. 25. More than 300 families were served during the event.

Timberlake said the giveaway took collaboration between several community groups:

• The Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center graciously hosted the event, providing a warm and welcoming space for the community to receive food. The entire Timberlake Charles family was there, serving with dedication.
• Embrace Relief contributed significantly by bringing a food trolly packed with turkeys, fresh fruit, and vegetables, as well as COVID tests and sanitizer wipes for over 100 people.
• Food for Hope played a crucial role, with their dedication and support bolstering our mission to combat food insecurity.
• The Care Center of New Jersey was pivotal in the event's success, donating over 200 boxes of food and turkeys.
• Christ Church showed their compassion by carefully packing each box of food with love and care.

Timberlake said events like this are a complement to legislative measures that aim to tackle urgent issues like inflation.

“We are deeply grateful to our partners for their steadfast dedication to our community,” the senator said. “This event showcases the strength of collective effort and empathy.”

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed, volunteered and supported this initiative,” she added.

The 34th District includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.