By Walter Elliott
MAPLEWOOD – Local 108 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local Talk, and 25 other partners have more than held their second food distribution here at 1574-76 Springfield Ave. Nov. 7.
Those who had been at the first grocery distribution here on May 20 and who came back for the “Harvest Essential Grocery Giveaway” here 11 a.m. Saturday could see the difference almost a block away.
The Maplewood Police Department had placed traffic cones to close some nearby parking lots so “drive-in” recipients can park their cars in other adjacent lots.
“Local Talk” noticed four tents on Local 108’s own east side lot.
One tent, staffed by University Hospital personnel, were conducting “while you wait” voluntary blood pressure and glucose tests. Eye and glaucoma exams were also available there.
Two people were waiting in folding chairs by the tents across the lot for COVID/antibody tests – courtesy of Salerno Medical – and “while they last” flu shots from Walgreens.
There were also Essex County personnel who gave out employment and training information.
The lots and union building teemed with 55 adult volunteers, including members from Mu Sigma Upsilon’s Aretias and Brother chapters, Newark’s Humanity Baptist Church, “Veterans Organization Mission Continues” of Bloomfield and Local 108 RWDSU. Some brought their children to assist.
The tents replaced May 20’s two tables where Local 108 officials and volunteers received tickets and gave out open carton boxes of food.
Members of Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 53, of Rutherford, brought fresh-baked bread. Bimbo Bakeries USA brought an additional 400 loves from their South Kearny plant.
The groceries, instead Saturday, were found on three tables in the union’s front lot. Some 300 reusable Shop-Rite bags populated those tables with another 200 in reserve.
“Local Talk” saw some of those bags being filled by 13 union members and volunteers within the Local’s offices late Nov. 5. 200 of those bags, already filled, occupied every table, desk and flat surface.
“Local Talk” also saw the tents going up on the east lot Friday. The cars normally found parked there and up front had been redirected onto the adjacent Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ eastern and western lots.
One gained access to the bags 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday by being given a numbered ticket by one volunteer – and surrendering that ticket to another volunteer by the food bag table.
That second volunteer was there for more to make sure recipients get the two bags limit. That person provided an extra set of arms, if needed, to help carrying bags to their cars and/or repackaging them for their shopping arts or for walking to the nearest bus stop.
Those who have become jaded by government cheese blocks, “off-brand” goods and food whose marketing have failed would have been pleasantly surprised with the bags’ contents.
Recipients received brand-named canned and packaged goods, bagged or canned grain and cooking oil. Fresh fruit and vegetables, received overnight, were in smaller plastic bags. Each bag included a $10 City Supermarkets voucher for eggs and/or dairy products.
The food quality is another indication of the professionalism Local 108 RWDSU President Charles N. Hall, Jr. and the partners brought to Saturday’s event.
“Our goal was to provide some relief to people that were in need,” said Hall. “This event and others like it go a long way for those in need. We must look out for our neighbors and communities.”
Returning for Saturday’s event were May 20 partners African-American Heritage Parade Organization and Committee, City Supermarkets, PSE&G, Shop-Rite of Newark, Local Talk News, New Visions Community Development Corporation, PEPSICO’s warehouse, Salerno, United Freedom Baptist Church of Newark and several Essex County social service agencies. Pepsi donated water and soft drinks.
Nov. 7’s sponsors grew in the last month to include: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Humanity Baptist Church, Investor’s Bank, Massy Agency Insurance, North Jersey Artias Chapter, Public Service Electric & Gas, Supremo Supermarkets, Union Chapel AME of Newark, University Hospital and Walgreens.
Those who have each received the two Shop-Rite bags had the option to go to the medical service tents, which were marked by lawn signs.
Those who came to the University Hospital tent left with a third bag – holding hand cream, reusable lunch containers and handbills on diabetes, colon cancer and organ donation. Those who had children with them also received bags of school supplies, toys and treats.
“As the concern over COVID remains high, we believe that relief of groceries as well as medical relief went well together,” said Hall. “We wanted the community to have the opportunity to test for COVID, have flu shots, eye examinations and more in order to provide more rounded relief. Medical care seems more urgent due to COVID and allowed for us to provide more for the community.”
The COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus, which broke out here in March, remains the reason for the food distributions. Hall and Local 108 officials first assembled and gave out food bags to members in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area – but soon became aware of the pandemic’s wide arc of food insecurity.
The pandemic is also a factor in increasing the safety of those serving and being served Saturday. Hall told “Local Talk” that more Personal Protection Equipment was provided for those on either side of the tables.
While Saturday’s distribution encouraged driver service, walkups, unlike in other events, were not discouraged.
The partnership’s lessons learned, as applied here Saturday, cane from the May 20 and June 21.
The latter “Local 108 and Company” event was part of a Juneteenth celebration at Union Chapel AME. Hall said more than 500 hot meals and groceries, PPE masks and hand sanitizers were provided along with voter registration opportunities at the Newark church.
Although Saturday’s goal of distributing 500 grocery bags was reached before its scheduled 3 p.m. closing, Hall and partners kept giving out bags afterwards into breaking down the tents. No one was turned away; those who arrived after all the bags were given rain checks and put on a list.
MPD officers also stayed after “closing time” for traffic direction. Longtime Township Commissioner and former Mayor Victor De Luca also represented Maplewood by appearing at the start; leaving impressed after Hall gave him a tour.
“I came to support this,” said De Luca. “It’s something that’s needed.”
