The summer season is quickly approaching, and coming with it are plenty of opportunities to give back to local communities. In the Montclair area, nonprofit organizations are seeking volunteers to help with food pantries, donation drives, and more. The Montclair Girl has compiled a list of ways to lend a hand where it's needed most. Read on for a list of local opportunities in the Montclair + Essex County area for residents to get involved this summer 2025.

Events

Wednesday, May 28th — Distribution Day at Interfaith Food Pantry of the Organization | 357 South Jefferson Street, Orange

This volunteer-powered food pantry will hold a distribution day for those in need of food and other essentials. Volunteers are needed to help distribute and organize. For those unable to make it on May 28th, the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Organization is always looking for people to help on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Learn more here.

Read More: Organizations + Non-Profits to Give Back to in Montclair

Saturday, June 7th | Nutley Family Service Bureau Rock Concert Fundraiser | 2 East Passaic Avenue, Nutley

This music festival, which supports the Nutley Family Service Bureau, is returning for 2025. The fundraiser, featuring various local musicians, raises money for the organization’s mission of providing access to mental health and social services. Volunteer opportunities for this event and ongoing needs are available. Learn more here.

Saturday, June 7th | PAWS for Cause Walkathon 2025 | Valley Road, Montclair

The Pound Animal Welfare Society will host its annual walkathon to raise funds for vetting, medical, and boarding expenses. There are several ways to get involved with this event. Locals can create a team to walk in person on June 7th and/or create a fundraising team via Facebook. Learn more here.

Saturday, June 14th | Donation Day at Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair

The Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair will host a donation day on June 14th from 10AM to 12PM. Volunteers are needed to help bag groceries, pick up food from suppliers, sort and organize clothing and household items, distribute food onsite, and deliver food to those in need. Learn more here.

Saturday, June 14th — Montclair Pride 2025 with Out Montclair | Downtown Montclair

Out Montclair, a nonprofit organization aiming to raise awareness and support for Montclair's LGBTQIA+ community, is seeking volunteers to help facilitate its annual Pride festival, taking place on June 14th from 12PM to 6PM for the 2025 season. Learn more here.

On-Going Opportunities

The Apostles House | 18-24 Grant Street, Newark

The Apostles House is dedicated to providing life resources to women, children, and at-risk families in Essex County. Volunteers are welcome to help distribute food and clothing, read to guests, teach life skills workshops, and more. Learn more here.

Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry | 275 West Market Street, Newark + 58 Hartford Street, Newark

Volunteers are needed at The Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry during open hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM to 1PM. Learn more here.

Calvary Baptist Church Food Pantry | 66 South Grove Street, East Orange

Calvary Baptist Church hosts a weekly food pantry for the community. The service runs from 11AM to 1PM. Learn more here.

Church of the Eternal God | 190 Highland Avenue, Newark

Neighbors can join the Church of the Eternal God on the second Saturday of every month to support the food pantry for community members. Guests can pick up food at their location, or food delivery is available upon request. Volunteers are needed for food distribution and delivery. Learn more here.

Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry + Thrift Shop | ​​36 Gould Street, Verona

The Food Pantry and Thrift Shop affiliated with The Church of the Holy Spirit provides basic needs to residents of Essex County. Volunteers are needed to keep the mission going in both community sections. Assistance is needed to set up, greet the guests, and clean up. Volunteers are needed on Fridays from 5PM-6PM before the 4th Saturday of the month, on Saturdays from 8:15AM to 9:45AM + from 9:45AM to 11:15AM, and at 11AM on Saturdays for cleanup. Learn more here.

First Seventh Day Adventist Church | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair

The First Seventh Day Adventist Church aims to support the food-insecure in the community. The pantry is open to the community on the second and last Sunday of every month. From 12PM to 5PM locals can help give out food and other items. Learn more here.

Franciscan Charities — St. Ann’s | 242 South 8th Street, Newark

Franciscan Charities of Newark has been serving those in need with food and other essentials since 2004. Volunteers can join the organization to help distribute meals and snack bags to the community. Learn more here.

Hombres y Mujers De Valor Par | 347 6th Avenue, Newark

Volunteers are needed every Saturday from 12PM-3PM for the food pantry at Hombres y Mujeres De Valor Par. Learn more here.

Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair

The Human Needs Food Pantry is always open for donations. Those interested can make monetary donations or purchase supplies from the pantry supplies list. The pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30AM-12PM for donation drop-offs, and from 12PM-3PM for client pick-up. Learn more here.

Joi’s Angels | 114 South Arlington Avenue, East Orange

Youth, food, housing, and life essentials are the core offerings of Joi’s Angels, which provides resources to Essex County and beyond. The organization is always looking for volunteers who "don't mind getting their hands dirty," as per its website. Volunteers can help with the non-profit's Blind + Hearing-Impaired Veterans' Food Pantry, Essex County College Student Food Pantry, Mommy + Me Diaper Pantry, and more. Learn more here.

 

Isaiah House | 238 North Munn Avenue, Orange

Isaiah House provides the community with essentials such as food distribution, HIV/AIDS programs, shelter, community development, and more. Donations of food, cleaning supplies, technology, and trash bags are always welcome. A full list of items needed as well as volunteer opportunities can be found on their site. Learn more here.

Little Zion U.A.M.E. Church Food Pantry | 154 Stephens Street, Belleville

Volunteers are needed every third and fourth Saturday of the month at 10:30AM to help in the food pantry, and every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 12PM to help with food distribution and donations to the community. Those in need are welcome to come and receive perishable and non-perishable food items.  Learn more here.

Love of Jesus Ministries Food Pantry | 448 Highland Avenue, Orange

Volunteers are always needed and greatly appreciated at the Love of Jesus Ministries Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off, and help is needed to distribute and organize food. Learn more here.

Montclair Art Museum | 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair

The Montclair Art Museum has a volunteer program open to anyone 13 and older. Volunteers can help in the African American Cultural Committee (AACC) and the Children’s and Family Programs Creative Aging program. Those interested should email Andrea Ferreira, MAM's Volunteer and Internship Coordinator, at [email protected]. Learn more here.

Montclair Community Farms | 108 Orange Road, Montclair

Montclair Community Farms has time slots available each day for volunteers to help out on the farm. Learn more here and sign up for available slots here.

Montclair Film | 505 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair

Volunteers can help Montclair Film facilitate special events, such as StorySlam + Improv Comedy Nights, the Summer Series, the Kids Art Program, and more. Learn more here.

Montclair Township Animal Shelter | 77 Willow Street, Montclair

The Montclair Township Animal Shelter always needs help with kennels, laundry, facility organization, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available for those 16 years and older. Sign up for dog walking and/or cat care. Learn more here.

Nutley Family Service Bureau | 169 Chestnut Street, Nutley

Nutley Family Service provides resources to those in need to help enhance family life, such as grocery delivery for seniors, nutrition education, clothing resources, and more. Volunteers are needed to help this organization run. Volunteer orientations are held every second Monday and third Tuesday. Learn more here.

Toni’s Kitchen at St. Luke’s Church | 73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair

Volunteers are needed for food prep, serving, bagging, driving, food delivery, and pickups at Toni’s Kitchen, located inside St. Luke’s Church. To be accepted as a volunteer, please pre-register online. Learn more here.

Union Community Corporation | 409 South 18th Street, Newark

Meet the community every third Wednesday of the month for grocery distribution. Groceries are open to the community, and volunteers are needed monthly. The next grocery distribution event will take place on May 21st, 2025, from 10AM-2PM. Learn more here.

Van Vleck House + Gardens | 21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair

Locals can help the historic Van Vleck House + Gardens this summer in various ways. The organization is looking for garden maintenance volunteers, weekend garden volunteers, education volunteers, and people to help set up events and fundraisers. Learn more here.

YMCA of Montclair | 25 Park Street, Montclair

The YMCA of Montclair is always looking for volunteers to help with various needs, such as assisting local students with homework and aiding in the organization's annual clean-up projects. Learn more here.

See More: A List of Hoboken + Jersey City Non-Profits to Donate to Year-Round

Zion United Church Food Pantry | 17 Alexander Street, Newark

Every Friday at 5PM, the Zion United Church Food Pantry provides food to communities in need. Guests are asked to call ahead if they need help. Learn more here.