The Gift Of Giving

From holiday toy drives to Thanksgiving food collections, there are plenty of ways to make the season brighter for neighbors in need.
Cheryl De Leon,
2 Gift Of Giving

A new toy can light up a child’s face, a bag of groceries can ease a family’s worries and a warm coat can make a cold day a little more bearable. As the holidays approach, there are countless ways to make a difference for neighbors in need across Morris and Essex counties—and you don’t have to wait until December to get started.

With Hanukkah arriving early this year, many holiday toy drives are already underway. Meanwhile, local organizations are collecting everything from nonperishable food and toiletries to clothing and pet supplies, helping individuals and families get the essentials they need. Whether you donate a new toy, fill a bag with pantry staples or drop off a few much-needed items, your generosity can go a long way toward making the holidays brighter for everyone.

Toy drives

  • B’nai Shalom Men’s Club Toy Drive. The group is collecting items for Chai Lifeline, which brings crafts and games to children in the hospital undergoing treatment for serious illness, and to Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey.
  • Chieffo Family Holiday Toy Drive Nutley’s largest toy drive accepts new and unwrapped toys to benefit Clara Maass Medical Center, Nutley Family Service Bureau and New York Presbyterian. The drive takes place Dec. 12 at 38 Gerard Rd. in Nutley.
  • Garden State Harley-Davidson and Morris Plains Police Department Toy Drive. Both groups are teaming up and collecting donations for Toys for Tots. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at Garden State Harley-Davidson in Morris Plains or at the Morris Plains Police Department.
  • Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. This nonprofit collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to children in need. The Picatinny Arsenal visitor center in Wharton serves as a major drop-off site, but other locations can be found online.
  • United Way Northern New Jersey Gifts of the Season. The United Way’s drive accepts new toys as well as coats or a special family meal for clients in need. Check the Cedar Knolls-based organization’s website for specific wish list items.
  • TeamPAR Selfless Elves Toy Drive. The commercial interior design company has teamed up with Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter to collect toys for children in need. Drop off items at the TeamPAR office in Flanders or visit their website to schedule a pickup.

Food drives

  • Interfaith Food Pantry Network Thanksgiving Drive. The Morris Plains-based pantry hopes to provide Thanksgiving meals to 2,700 Morris County families this year and is asking individuals, businesses, schools and community groups to organize food drives or donate. The most-needed items include turkeys, large chickens, hams, stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, canned yams and 100 percent fruit juice.
  • Human Needs Food Pantry. This Montclair organization is accepting Thanksgiving and nonperishable food donations. Expanded November drop-off hours are from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 and 18. Donations can be brought to 9 Label St.
  • The Care Center of New Jersey’s Food for Hope. The Care Center is hosting its seventh annual Thanksgiving food giveaway on Nov. 21, distributing 100,000 pounds of food through pickup locations in Rockaway and Montclair. The organization is seeking financial contributions and turkey donations. Donations should be made by Nov. 15. Most-needed items are turkeys, chickens, apple juice, cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes and other Thanksgiving staples.
  • Temple Ner Tamid ShopRite Food Collection. Stop by Brookdale ShopRite in Bloomfield from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 and donate food items for the Human Needs Food Pantry.
  • St. Thomas the Apostle Church Thanksgiving Turkey and Ham Collection. The Bloomfield church will collect turkeys and hams in its parish parking lot for delivery to St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen in Newark. Bring donations from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21.
  • Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains Food Drive. Nonperishable food donations are being accepted through Nov. 21, with a designated drop-off event that Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The church also accepts perishable items such as hams and turkeys through its office.

Coat drives

  • Partnership for Children of Essex. New and gently used winter coats will be accepted throughout winter and can be donated at the organization’s office in Bloomfield.
  • Jersey Cares Annual Coat Drive. Multiple collection sites throughout our counties will be accepting new and gently used winter coats for men, women, children and infants through Jan. 6. Check the Livingston-based organization’s website for drop-off locations.
  • Market Street Mission. The nonprofit’s Morristown location seeks warm coats and other new clothing items. Donations also can be shipped using the group’s Amazon wish list.

Did we miss your upcoming toy or food drive? Tell us about it on Instagram @morrisandessexmag.

 

Categories: Morris/Essex Health & Life