On a cold November morning, several days before thanksgiving, the United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) teamed up with FedEx to close the gap of food insecurity for families living in Greater Union County. The UWGUC and members of FedEx were greeted by Mayor Adrian Mapp in the parking lot of Plainfield City Hall to sort and distribute Turkeys, Roasters, Hams, and Holiday Boxes; all donated by the Community Foodbank of New Jersey (CFBNJ). UWGUC strategically identified distribution sites located in Hillside, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Roselle for families to pick up their holiday meals with fresh produce supplemented by the County of Union.
“This holiday season we want to ensure that our neighbors in need living in the Greater Union County have access to a nutritious meal. I am thankful to CFBNJ for this donation and our special corporate partner FedEx that answered the call and helped us deliver the holiday meals. Without their assistance, we would not have been able to feed our community,” Julienne Cherry, President, and CEO of the UWGUC. “I am even more thankful to our community partners that help us, help more people.”
If you pull just one child or family out of poverty and its downward spiral, you are creating a legacy with a ripple effect that will last generations. The poverty rate in Union County, New Jersey is 11.76% lower than the New Jersey average. In Union County, New Jersey, an estimated 9.0% of 565,979 people live in poverty. In New Jersey, 10.2% of 9,093,135 people live in poverty.
“Our team works hard to address the need by providing direct programming via our Success Center, food distributions, and resources for our community to thrive. My heart was filled with joy with every bag of food that we distributed to our families.” Juanita Vargas, Chief Programs Officer of the UWGUC
About United Way of Greater Union County
United Way of Greater Union County supplies critical resources to children and families in need throughout greater Union County, North Plainfield, and South Plainfield. The organization works to improve lives and build strong communities, by focusing on key areas in education, income stability, health, and family strengthening. UWGUC is a pre-eminent community-based leader, partner, and investment choice in these communities. The organization has launched a bold capital campaign to raise 1.5 million dollars to renovate its future location in Rahway. In collaboration with the City of Rahway, the building will facilitate the expansion of services to our most underserved communities in the Greater Union County.