Kristina Helfer 
Making connections through supporting local non-profit organizations is critical for building stronger communities. With so many charitable organizations here in Essex County, it can be somewhat overwhelming to know where to donate and which types of items. We’ve rounded up a list of local places to donate all kinds of things this holiday season — from food, to clothes, to furniture, + more. We update this list periodically as programs grow and change, so if you know of a place that takes donations, let us know! Read on for a non-exhaustive list of where to donate in Essex County.
Montclair
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street
Donation Drop-Off | Tuesdays + Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM + second Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Phone Number | (973) 746-4669
Since 1982, the Human Needs Food Pantry has provided food, clothing, and other services to people in need who live in Montclair and neighboring communities in Essex County. The diverse client base includes families and singles who are elderly, disabled, home-bound, unemployed, or underemployed.
What to Donate
- Non-perishable/unexpired food donations
- Pet food
- Toilet paper
- Facial tissues
- Sanitizers
- Diapers + wipes
- Formula
- Tall paper grocery bags with handles
- Monetary donations to support efforts
Services
- Grocery Distribution: Provides registered clients with grocery bags of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and non-perishables, as well as personal-care items such as soap + shampoo.
- Upstairs Clothing and Housewares: Free clothing for adults + children as well as household goods, kitchen wares, seasonal items, and more.
- Health Services: Periodic free vaccine clinics on site providing COVID vaccines, boosters and flu shots. Always no charge and no appointment needed. Walk-ins welcome.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Bagging of groceries
- Picking up food from suppliers
- Sorting donated clothing, linens, and household goods
- Distributing food onsite
- Delivering food to homebound clients
Read More: A List of Women-Owned Businesses in Montclair
Salvation Army | 13 Trinity Place, Montclair
Donation Drop-Off | Dependent on location, information can be found here.
Phone Number | (973) 744-3312
For 125 years, The Montclair Citadel Corps has been a beacon of hope and a model of ministry in the Name of Jesus in suburban Essex County. Whether it is housing a needy family at our Cornerstone House Shelter, feeding the homeless at our hot meal program, providing emergency assistance, building characters in future generations, or serving as a place of worship for those seeking spiritual nurture, Montclair Citadel provides something for everyone.
What to Donate
- Clothing
- Small furniture items
- Non-perishable/unexpired food donations
- Monetary donations to support efforts
Services
- Addiction Counseling Referrals
- Hospital & Shut-in Visitation
- Information & Referral Services
- Prescription Assistance
- Food Pantry
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Shower Program
- Clothing
- Cornerstone Homeless Shelter
- Homeless Prevention Financial Assistance
- Utility Assistance
- Christmas Assistance
- Christmas Toy Shop
- Thanksgiving Dinners
- Children’s Residential Summer Camp
Volunteer Opportunities
- Drop-In Center Activities Assistant: Volunteers will be assisting with activities such as bingo, game day, and movie day. Duties include assisting with setting up and facilitating the activity as well as cleaning up after.
- Landscaping Volunteering: Providing lawn maintenance. Duties include mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, weeding, edging, and gardening.
- Maintenance: Maintenance is needed to help maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility and ensure a safe and clean environment for all of those who come to The Salvation Army.
Toni’s Kitchen | 73 S Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Phone Number | (973) 932-0768
Toni’s Kitchen is a food ministry of St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair, NJ. We envision a community where everyone has reliable access to healthy food. Toni’s Kitchen provides food to our neighbors in need in ways that respect their dignity, improve health, and foster independence.
What to Donate
- Breakfast items (oatmeal, cereal bars, etc.)
- Pasta + Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
- Rice
- Tuna
- Peanut Butter (no glass jars)
- Soup
- Nuts
- Dried Fruit
- Canned Beans
Services
- Fresh Meal Programs: Takeout meals, meal delivery, and meals through partner programs.
- Food Delivery Programs: Delivery service that provides home-cooked meals and groceries to those in the community who may not be able to pick up meals onsite.
- Grocery Programs: Groceries donated by the community and organized for distribution to neighbors in need through a number of targeted initiatives.
- Food for Families: families are able to come Monday through Friday from 9AM – 2PM, on Saturday from 9AM to 12PM, and on Sunday from 3 PM – 5:30 PM for grocery bags filled with fresh produce and nutritious food that can really help stretch budgets
- Soup Kitchen: A sit-down meal service in their dining room four days a week.
- Wellness Services: Assistance in navigating government assistance programs, individual educational and supportive counseling, and legal services.
- Toni’s Closet: Access to quality clothing for a wide variety of food insecure populations.
Volunteer opportunities
- Food prep
- Serving meals
- Packing healthy food bags
- Driving deliveries
- Food pick-ups
Bloomfield
Bloomfield Animal Shelter | 61 Bukowski Place, Bloomfield
Phone Number | (973) 680-4000
The Bloomfield Animal Shelter/John A Bukowski Shelter for Animals is a no-kill animal shelter managed by the Township of Bloomfield. The shelter has many types of dogs and cats available for adoption. Whether the animals come to us as surrenders or as strays, through daily social interactions and training, the shelter staff and volunteers get to know each dog and cat’s personality to make the best possible match for each adopter and animal. For more information on what the shelter needs, please visit its Amazon wish list.
What to Donate
For Cats
- Purina Dry Adult + Kitten Cat Chow
- Fancy Feast Adult + Kitten Wet Food
- Shop Rite Unscented 25lb Litter
- Nutri-Cal Supplements (For Cats + Kittens)
- Lysine for Cats
- Kitten Replacement Milk
- Kitten Nursing Bottles
- Unopened Cat Toys
- Crates + Carriers (Small + Large Sizes)
For Dogs
- Pedigree Wet/Dry Adult
- Purina Pro Plan Wet/Dry Adult (Grain Free)
- Pet Waste Bags
- Nutri-Cal Supplements- Dogs/Puppies
- Lysine for Dogs
- Martingale Collars – Sizes Medium, Large, XL, + XXL
- Leashes + Harnesses – Sizes Medium, Large, XL, + XXL
- Treats (NO Rawhide), Kongs, Nylabones
- Crates + Carriers- Sizes Medium, Large, XL, + XXL
For the Shelter
- Paper Towels + Toilet Paper
- Liquid Laundry Detergent, Dawn Dish Soap, Unscented Bleach, Pine-Sol, Fabuloso Cleaner
- Salmon or Coconut Oil
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Comfort Zone Diffuser Kit (Feliway + Adaptil)
- Rubbermaid 25 gal + Storage Bins
- Nitrile Gloves
- Garbage Bags (Heavy Duty + Contractor Size)
Services
- The shelter accepts stray and surrendered pets from Bloomfield and performs animal control services for Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Caldwell.
Cedar Grove
The Free Little Pantry of Cedar Grove | 65 Bowden Road, Cedar Grove
Donation Drop-Off | 24-Hour Accessible.
Free Little Pantries are most often used for those who are not easily able to meet everyday food and personal needs. The organization might also stock after-school snacks for neighborhood kids or that ‘cup of sugar’ you never have when you need it.
What to Donate
- Non-perishable food items
- Energy/protein bars
- Baby products (formula, diapers, wipes, etc.)
- Winter hats/gloves
- First-aid supplies
- Hygiene and grooming products (deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
Verona
Holy Spirit Food Pantry | 36 Gould Street, Verona
Donation Drop-Off | Can be organized online via this link.
Phone Number | (973) 239-2850
Whether arranging to cook and deliver food to someone recovering from surgery, holding a prayer vigil for an ill member, or providing cake for a baby’s baptism, the Holy Spirit Food Pantry is there to help. The most important goal includes the Holy Spirit Verona Food Pantry, which is serving over 100 shoppers per month as of late 2019 and involves a minimum of 30 volunteers monthly. The Pantry keeps an updated list of its needs on its website.
What to Donate
- Unexpired, non-perishable food items
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Jelly
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
- Rice (1lb or 2lb bags)
- Dog and cat food (small bags or cans)
- Canned meat (corned beef hash, chef-boy-ar-dee, + chicken)
- Coffee
- Detergent (50oz size or smaller)
- Tissues
Services
- The Food Pantry is open from 9AM-11AM on the 4th Saturday of every month. All in need are welcome to come to pick up groceries.
Volunteer opportunities
- On pantry days:
- Set up and clean-up
- Greeting shoppers when they arrive
- Assisting shoppers/staffing the pantry
- Other:
- Publicity and fundraising for the pantry
- Organizing food donations
See More: Where to Shop for Small Business Saturday at the Jersey Shore
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