Rwjbarnabas health delivers over 37 tons of produce and thousands of turkeys to feed new jersey families

RWJBarnabas Health delivers over 37 tons of produce and thousands of turkeys to feed New Jersey families

NEWARK, N.J. – RWJBarnabas Health has launched its annual holiday giving campaign, distributing more than 37.6 tons of fresh produce and 4,175 turkeys across New Jersey to help combat food insecurity.

The initiative comes as many families continue to face hardship following federal SNAP benefit reductions.

The statewide effort includes food drives in partnership with 22 community-based organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), ensuring fresh food reaches residents in need before the holidays.

Since 2023, RWJBarnabas Health has invested nearly $20 million in food programs across New Jersey, with another $7 million planned for next year.

Health system expands statewide partnerships to combat hunger

RWJBarnabas Health’s community drives this season include events at Monmouth Family Health Center in Long Branch, Eric B. Chandler Health Center in New Brunswick, Neighborhood Health Services in Elizabeth and Plainfield, Metropolitan Family Health Network in Jersey City, Zufall Health in West Orange, Newark Community Health Center in East Orange, and both Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center and Saint James Health in Newark.

The system is also working with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to distribute an additional 344 turkeys, 315 chickens, and 30 hams.

“Our mission is not just to provide care in the places we work, but to meet the needs of our communities where they live,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. “We take seriously our historic role as a provider to New Jersey’s most vulnerable.”

Community leaders join in Newark holiday drive

On Nov. 24, Manigan joined Newark Councilmen Michael J. Silva and Anibal Ramos Jr., along with RWJBarnabas Health employees, to distribute food boxes and turkeys during the RWJBarnabas Health and Saint James Health Holiday Food Drive in Newark’s East Ward.

The organization’s Community Health team and hospital leaders participated in the event, which is part of a broader systemwide initiative to support local feeding programs and address health inequities tied to food insecurity.

Rwjbarnabas health delivers over 37 tons of produce and thousands of turkeys to feed new jersey families
Photo: rwjbarnabas health delivers over 37 tons of produce and thousands of turkeys to feed new jersey families

Earlier this year, RWJBarnabas Health also contributed $1 million to 14 local food organizations during the federal government shutdown to keep meals flowing to vulnerable residents.

RWJBarnabas Health’s holiday outreach aims to ensure that every New Jersey family can celebrate the season with access to healthy, nutritious meals.

RWJBarnabas Health distributed more than 37.6 tons of fresh produce and thousands of turkeys through statewide food drives to fight hunger this holiday season.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.