Many people around the state are dealing with food insecurity, and the need is even greater because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jersey City-based food company Goya has teamed with several other organizations to help those in need this Thanksgiving. The group handed out Thanksgiving meals and turkeys to around 200 families on Monday afternoon.

“It’s a bittersweet Thanksgiving. Proud we are able to support and help as many people as we can. But it’s a shame so many people are out here needing the help,” says Goya public relations director Rafael Toro.

Goya teamed with the Jersey City Police Department, the Puerto Rican Day Parade and local fraternity Lambda Sigma Upsilon to distribute the meals outside the Urban Mission Church on Newark Avenue.

“Due to the pandemic, these people are not working and struggling a little more…With no school, kids are home more and they eat more,” says Jersey City Police Detective Melissa Sarmiento.

Earlier on Monday, the Hudson Regional Hospital held its second annual “Operation Give Thanks,” teaming with the town of Secaucus and the Secaucus Rotary Club. The group handed out turkeys and Thanksgiving trimmings. The event was socially distant, with families driving up in their cars. Volunteers then put the items inside of the trucks of the vehicles.

Hudson Regional is also giving free turkeys to 200 staff members.

Goya handed out more than 2,500 pounds of food in all.