Free food frenzy shows the dire need in Trenton and other communities (L.A. PARKER COLUMN)
As word spread through Chambersburg about a free food distribution happening in the predominantly Spanish-speaking enclave in Trenton’s East Ward, a serpentine line formed inside Unity Square Park.
People queued near the foundation of a ship’s hull which once held a statue of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. A threat of rain did nothing to diminish the number of humans hunting table, refrigerator and cupboard items at a destination which until July 2020 identified as Columbus Park.
Mention free food in Trenton where an estimated 28-percent of residents live below poverty levels and city residents, many of them undocumented and unaccounted for, appear almost out of nowhere.
On a chilly, rain-threatening Tuesday, just two days before Thanksgiving, Unity Square Park represented ground-zero for the city’s food insecurity issues. Al Serje, a member of Fountain of Life Center of Burlington and organizer of this food event, gazed at people holding both boxes and positions in the line.
“It’s good and bad, bittersweet,” Serje offered about the hundreds of people in line. So many people in line who will receive food and hopefully find salvation in our message. We give them food and feed them with the Word. But in the end, the sad (reality) is that we’re going to run out of food and some people who may have stood in line for an hour or more will leave with nothing.”
Serje, owner of NJ Janitorial & Facilities Services in South Jersey, grew up in Jamaica Queens, New York, recalled childhood food insecurity issues and other family struggles. He said food moves quickly.
“Last month we were blessed with a gift of 100,000 pounds of food. I got a call at 6:30 at night. We brought it here at 8, had no tables or nothing. There were six members from Fountain, plus, other volunteers showed up. We gave out 100,000 pounds of food in three hours.”
Serje and church members from the Men’s Bible Group Study, make regular visits into New Jersey cities. This Trenton appearance offered fruits, vegetables, including large bags of greens, coffee, drinks and other items.
The food distribution on Tuesday began at 10 a.m. and in two hours Fountain of Life Center members handed out 50,000 pounds of items. As the people moved through the line, more good news surfaced.
“At 3 o’clock the City of Trenton is giving away free turkeys,” a distributor shouted. Someone translated his English message into Spanish which caused excitement. The turkey donation represented a collaborative effort between Troy Vincent, a former NFL star, his wife, Tommi Vincent, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and the City of Trenton which distributed approximately 1,500 turkeys throughout the city.
Fountain of Life Center packed up and drove off just as Trenton employees set up its operation. A free turkey frenzy occurred as people emptied out of parked cars along Hamilton Ave. or raced across the busy street.
“Oh, these turkeys are so heavy,” a woman shouted, although her complaint failed to override the glee of this two-turkey jackpot. The scene underscored a seemingly no-holds barred attitude that exists during many city giveaways.
“One woman collected 13 turkeys last year. She kept 1 and sold the others,” a person involved with city-wide food distribution alleged. “Of course, it’s not right but I understand the behavior,” she added.
Free turkeys disappeared quickly in Trenton as Kadijah McQueen, with the Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture delivered a kind of frontline report of food insecurity wars.
“Unity Square Park gave away over 500 turkeys and we still have at least 100 more people in line waiting,” McQueen said. “There is a great need for food and just basic necessities in the city of Trenton.”
A city report noted four turkey distribution locations: 150 turkeys handed out in the West Ward; 150 at Juan Martinez Memorial Park; 150 at Greg Grant Park; 500 at Unity Square; 300 given to the Trenton Police Department; and 100 sent to each senior and recreation center.
“We’ve seen more non-profits starting pantries in the city; we’re starting pantries in schools.....Everywhere you look the need is really great because of the economic times and people emerging from the pandemic,” Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora told The Trentonian.
“It’s tough all over.”
And, this condition Trenton faces worsens as no solutions exist for poverty.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter or email him at
