Where to Donate & Volunteer this Thanksgiving in the Jersey City Area
As the holiday season approaches, it’s so important to give back before we dig into our delicious meals. It’s the season of giving back and especially with everything happening around us, it is so essential to help the ones in need. Therefore, in partnership with JCFamilies, we compiled a list of the places in need of donations and volunteers this Thanksgiving in Jersey City!
Hope House — Jersey City
Hope House, an emergency shelter for homeless women with children, helps families become self-sufficient by giving them an opportunity for decision making and for assuming responsibility for improving their situation under the supervision, support, and guidance of shelter staff. They are also always looking for more donations in the form of canned goods or cereals for the children. Plan your Thanksgiving food donation ahead.
St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter — Jersey City
St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter is a supervised 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, year-round emergency shelter facility for single women and men offering emergency housing and food for those in need. The shelter provides two meals a day and is always looking for food donations. Get in touch and let them know in advance if you planning any Thanksgiving food donation.
Saint Peter’s University Campus Kitchen — Jersey City
The Campus Kitchen at Saint Peter’s University, established in September 2014, is a community service program that seeks to save food that would be wasted from dining halls, cafeterias, and grocery stores, and creates nutritious meals for those struggling with hunger. They are always looking for food donations, canned goods, and supplies.
St. Paul’s Church — Jersey City
An Episcopal parish in the heart of Jersey City located at 38 Duncan Avenue in Jersey City. They plan an annual Thanksgiving dinner. Additionally, donations are always welcomed and can be monetary or in the form of desserts or sides.
Mommies Heart To Heart — Jersey City
Their mission is to teach children to become givers to families in need in beloved Jersey City. They are doing a Thanksgiving drive this year where you can donate a box of little things(includes food, health, and other supplies). Make a Box of Little Things go to those in need at the Hope House, York Street Project, WomenRising, and Newark YMCA. And drop it off at 225 Grand Street.
York Street Project — Jersey City
The mission of the York Street Project is to weave innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate, and promote the healing as well as the independence of persons in need, especially women and their children. Additionally, there are many opportunities to get involved with York Street Project including donation drives, working with children, internships, and more! They are also always looking for donations, especially during the holiday season.
Family Promise of Hudson County — Jersey City, Hoboken, & Bayonne
Family Promise addresses homelessness by utilizing the resources of volunteer congregations. Congregations provide space in their buildings to serve as temporary homes for homeless families. Each Family Promise affiliate also has a day center, where families can take showers, receive case management, and look for housing and jobs. This holiday season goes ahead and donate funds, donate items, or volunteer. You can read more here.
Hoboken Shelter — Hoboken
The Hoboken Shelter’s mission is to be a community partnership that transforms lives by providing meals for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, and services to support people to become housed. Additionally, Hoboken Shelter is always looking for donations of meals, canned goods, and other supplies.
The Sharing Place Food Pantry — Jersey City
One of Hudson County’s oldest and largest food pantries serving the needs of low and very-low-income families and individuals, The Sharing Place provides groceries (including fresh produce, meats, proteins, dairy, eggs, and non-perishables) each month. You can always donate food supplies to the pantry. The food pantry, distributes groceries to people on the 3rd Saturday of every month, from 8:00AM and 12:00PM. Proof of residency in Hudson County, and indication of eligibility based on referral or benefits document and/or low income is requested.
Hoboken Food Pantry — Hoboken
The Hoboken Food Pantry stocks its pantry through the generous donation of local grocery stores, food drives organized by local schools or community groups, individual donations including through their Wish List, and through purchases at the Community Bank of NJ. There are also various ways you can help them that are listed on their website. Also, check their food donations schedule here.
West Side Community Fridge — Jersey City
West Side Community Fridge is located at 300 Delaware Avenue. The concept behind the West Side Community Fridge is pretty simple: Take what you need, leave what you can. Additionally, they are accepting food every day including Thanksgiving so feel free to stop by and donate.
Hunger Helpers in Jersey City — Jersey City
Run by St. Lucy’s Shelter, a supervised 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, year-round emergency shelter for single women and men. In addition to emergency housing, St. Lucy’s also provides food for those in need. Volunteers play an important role in the facilities’ operation by providing assistance with meal preparation, sorting and distributing food.
St. John’s Soup Kitchen — Newark
St. John’s Soup Kitchen has one mission and that is feeding the hungry. For over 40 years we have been providing food to those who have none in the Newark area. Few people know what it’s like to go without food, but everyday guests come to our kitchen to eat. St. John’s Soup Kitchen is always in need of donations and volunteers.
nourish.NJ — Morristown
Located in Morristown, NJ, nourish.NJ creates lasting solutions to the problems of hunger, homelessness and poverty. We offer food, housing, work readiness, medical, social and educational services 365 days a year in a warm, safe and caring environment, free of charge, no questions asked.
Eva’s Village — Paterson
Eva’s Village breaks the cycle of poverty and addiction through our unique and integrated approach. Our interconnected community of recovery and support services, located on a 3-block campus in Paterson, NJ, helps thousands of men, women, and children each year by addressing basic needs of food and shelter, as well as complex issues around addiction, mental illness, and chronic homelessness.
BITE Food & Service Pantry — Jersey City
BITE provides food distribution and services pantry serving over 750 families weekly. The BITE Organizations programs include Free Weekly Emergency Food Pantry, Jobs and Resource Center, Forums & Debates, Garden Growing & Composting Programs, Garden Education Monthly Days, Community Service Hours, Mentoring, and tutoring.
