The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted thousands of families across the state and across the country.
Goya, the largest family-owned Hispanic food company in the U.S., wanted to make sure it could help those most impacted in Jersey City, where it is based.
That’s why it teamed up with the Jersey City Police Department, members of the Puerto Rican Parade of Jersey City, and HALEA, the Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association, to create a food distribution program for the holidays.
The groups came together to stage a socially distanced “Grab and Go” distribution of grocery bags for nearly 300 families impacted by the pandemic throughout Jersey City earlier this week. They estimate they distributed more than 2,000 meals and turkeys for Thanksgiving.
The donation, one of six Thanksgiving donations, is part of #GoyaGives and the Working for Our Country campaign.
Rafael Toro, director of public relations for Goya Foods, said the company was pleased to help others in need.
“This year, Thanksgiving is bittersweet for many families,” he said. “We know that so many people are struggling due to the pandemic, and the best thing we can do to help is to donate food.
“Thanks to the help of our partners and many organizations, we have been able to provide hundreds of families in New Jersey turkeys and products to make a Thanksgiving meal.”
By the end of 2020, Goya will have distributed over 3.5 million pounds of food in the United States and worldwide since the start of the pandemic.
