"A letter from President Donald Trump that accompanied U.S. Department of Agriculture fresh food boxes for Linden was replaced by one from the city’s Democratic mayor, Derek Armstead.
Food boxes were opened by local public works department employees. Trump’s letter was removed and a letter from Armstead was added.
“The original letter in these boxes was removed, and the mayor had city employees put in his letter on work time,” said Councilwoman Gretchen Hickey, a Democrat and an Armstead political rival.
Armstead acknowledged that his message was added to the box, offering local residents the impression to recipients that the food came from him."
"When MANNA began receiving the letter-loaded boxes by the pallet full, the nonprofit contacted the legal council at Feeding America, a vast network of hunger-fighting organizations, for guidance.
“They informed us that it’s not a violation of our nonprofit status to distribute the letters in food boxes, since the letter is related to its purpose,” said Randall."