For food pantries across Northern New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy dealt a double blow: It increased the number of families in need of assistance and shortened the span between Halloween (which Gov. Chris Christie moved to Nov. 5) and Thankgsiving, which comes early this year.

Prior to the storm, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey reported more than 960,000 residents of Northern New Jersey are food insecure, meaning at times they lack access to enough food to maintain an active, healthy life. 

The Community Food Bank is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive this Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9am to 2pm at the following locations in Essex County: 

• First Congregational Church, 40 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
• First Presbyterian Church, 326 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell
• First Presbyterian Church, 31 Fairview Avenue, West Caldwell
• Glen Ridge Railroad Station, Ridgewood Ave. & Darwin Pl., Glen Ridge
• Kings Food Market, 778 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
• Kings Food Market, 265 Pompton Avenue, Verona
• St. Joseph's Church, 44 Benvenue Avenue, West Orange
• St. Philomena Church, 496 South Livingston, Livingston
• South Orange Elks Lodge, 220 Prospect St., South Orange