Above: Gottheimer, volunteers, serve lunch and hand out turkeys at Oasis

On Tuesday, November 20, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) served lunches and handed out turkeys at Oasis in Paterson. At this annual event, UPS and local business donate 800 meals and 1,800 turkeys for those in need while volunteers serve lunch and handout the donated turkeys and food.

“Everyone should have a turkey on Thanksgiving,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “This time of year is a time to be thankful for all that we have – to give back to those who are less fortunate, and that’s exactly what we were doing here today. Thank you to all the volunteers, all the businesses who donated, and to Executive Director Jen Brady for all the work she does for our North Jersey community.”

Oasis’s mission is to change the lives of women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to feed, clothe, educate, and empower women and children in need. Oasis offers educational programs for women for the high school equivalency test and the GED, English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes, computer skills courses, and workplace preparedness all while offering free childcare while they are in class. Oasis also offers various after school programs for children that encourage respect, teamwork and tolerance for one another, as well as promote healthy and productive life long habits. They also provide assistance with social services and basic needs to fit the needs of the community.