By: Richard L. Smith
Essex County officials are preparing to help local families ahead of the holiday season with a major Thanksgiving food giveaway at Branch Brook Park. 
According to information released by county officials, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and RWJBarnabas Health will distribute 1,000 frozen turkeys along with boxes of non-perishable items to residents dealing with food insecurity, inflation, and rising costs.
The event is scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center inside Branch Brook Park in Newark. The distribution will take place rain or shine and is first-come, first-served.
DiVincenzo said the effort aims to ensure families struggling with high food and energy costs have a meaningful Thanksgiving.
The event marks the fifth time Essex County and RWJBarnabas Health have partnered for holiday food support, following similar distributions in Branch Brook, Orange, Weequahic, and Irvington parks.
Residents driving to the site are asked to use the Heller Parkway or southern entrances; vehicles coming from Mill Street and northern access points will not be permitted to turn left into the Welcome Center.
Walk-ups are welcome, and organizers recommend bringing a cart for convenience.
Each household will receive one frozen turkey and one box of traditional Thanksgiving staples. Buses will not be allowed into the distribution area.
According to county officials, Essex County has organized more than 75 food distributions in recent years, providing an estimated three million meals to local families.