The holiday season is back… that means it’s also giving season! While I’m sure we’re all excited to feast, it is not only important to be grateful for what we have but also to be aware that not everyone has a table full of food at home. These NJ-based holiday charities and fundraisers make it easy to give back with just a few clicks or a quick visit to a local site. Read on to see how you can make someone’s family dinner just a little more special this year.
New Jersey Charities in November
HomeFront NJ
Based in Lawrenceville, HomeFront NJ works to feed Central Jersey families year-round. For Thanksgiving, they give the option to buy a family a Thanksgiving dinner or a week’s worth of food. Between now and Giving Tuesday—which is November 28—HomeFront will be doubling the value of your donation with the help of the Alberts Family Fund! Fill out the form to donate here for Thanksgiving and here for general donations.
Kinnelon Food Pantry
The Kinnelon Food Pantry, though based in Kinnelon, collects donations in neighboring Butler at the Church of the Nazarene at 188 Kiel Avenue. The donation office is open Tuesday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for signups and donations. The pantry donates food baskets for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Project Self-Sufficiency
Project Self Sufficiency operates out of Newton and aims at helping families in Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties. In-person donations can be done at 127 Mill Street before 7 p.m. For Thanksgiving, you can sponsor a number of families for $50 each or donate a monetary amount here.
New Jersey Charities in December
Bergen County Chanukah Toy Drive
Until Monday, November 27, the Bergen County Chanukah Toy Drive will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys, which the drive will distribute to charities and synagogues in North Jersey and New York. Local schools, synagogues, and the organization’s Bergenfield location will all be accepting donations. The website’s homepage also includes online gift registries. See a full list of receiving charities here.
Camden Rescue Mission
The Camden Rescue Mission is accepting monetary, food and clothing donations and will be hosting an additional toy drive on Thursday, December 21 at the Camden Rescue Mission at 1634 Broadway. Monetary donations can be made here.
Madonna House
The Christmas Giving Program at the Madonna House in Neptune, NJ is accepting monetary donations as well as new toys and children’s clothing for those who wish to donate on-site at their 1401 7th Avenue location. While the organization is currently only accepting new items and funds, it will begin accepting used items in mid January. All links to donate can be found here.
United Way of NNJ
The United Way of NNJ is partnering with charities all over the state for their Gifts of the Season program this year. Until Thursday, December 7, the United Way will be sending donations to asset limited, income constrained, and employed (ALICE) families in North Jersey. Donate online here.
About the Author/s
Alex Kenney is a third-year Journalism and Media Studies student at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Having lived in Bergen, Essex, and briefly Hudson County, she calls anything north of Newark home. She is a big fan of NJ Transit and knows most major highways in her area like the back of her hand, even though she doesn’t drive.
