NB C.A.R.E.S. and the Township of North Bergen handed out almost 6,000 free turkeys and pernil at their annual free Thanksgiving giveaway on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 to ensure that all residents were able to enjoy a celebratory home-cooked meal. Residents began lining up early in the morning outside the Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave. to pick up their preferred main course, plus a bag filled with packaged sides.

Five local food pantries also received checks from the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation to help them feed the community during the holidays. In addition, the township delivered 500 fully-prepared hot meals to homebound residents on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco personally greeted residents at the giveaway, along with Commissioners Hugo Cabrera, Allen Pascual, Claudia Rodriguez, and Anthony Vainieri, Assemblyman Julio Marenco, and County Commissioner Robert Baselice.

The event was organized by NB C.A.R.E.S. Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio. Numerous employees from Parks and Recreation helped with the food distribution, with additional assistance from the North Bergen Police Department, the Housing Authority, and other township departments.

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