The holiday season is about more than feasts and presents — it’s about creating memorable moments with your family and giving back to the community. That’s why The Montclair Girl has compiled a list of local organizations hosting holiday drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas in Essex County and surrounding towns. These drives provide multiple opportunities for volunteering and donating. Read on for more about these holiday drives in Montclair, Essex County, and beyond, providing opportunities to get involved for the 2024 holiday season.

Partnership for Children of Essex Winter Coat Drive | 300 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor, Bloomfield

Ends November 22nd

Partnership for Children of Essex (PCE), a private non-profit care management organization for children, has partnered with Assemblywoman Carmen Morales to host a Winter Coat Drive. This drive accepts newly purchased jackets or gift cards. The last day to drop off donations is Friday, November 22nd. Donators can drop items off at the third floor of the PCE building at 300 Broadacres Drive in Bloomfield or Assemblywoman Carmen Morales’ District Office at 148-152 Franklin Street in Belleville. PCE encourages donors to send direct messages to them on Instagram if interested in arranging a time for pickups. Click here for more.

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

Community Food Bank Turkey Drive | 359 Central Avenue, North Caldwell

November 23rd

The Community Food Bank of NJ will host its annual Turkey Drive on November 23rd from 9AM to 12PM. The organization’s goal is to feed 1000 people. Those interested in donating should drop off turkeys and non-perishable food items like stuffing, canned vegetables, and cranberry sauce. For questions and to volunteer, call the Borough of Caldwell at 973-228-6410. Click here for more.

The CARE Center of New Jersey’s 5th Annual Food for HOPE | 54 Orange Road, Montclair + 140 Green Pond Road, Rockaway

November 23rd

The CARE Center of New Jersey will host its annual Food for HOPE drive on November 23rd at its Montclair and Rockaway locations. Every year, families in need are given a box of food items, including meat, vegetables, fruit, and nonperishables. In addition to The CARE Center’s regular box, this organization is looking for turkey donations for its Thanksgiving box. Frozen turkeys will be accepted until November 17th. Those interested in donating a turkey can fill out this form here, and The CARE Center will work with donors to coordinate drop-off times. Click here for more.

Montclair Bikery 12th Annual Turkey Ride | 148 Valley Road, Montclair

November 24th

The 12th annual Turkey Ride is set to return this holiday season on Sunday, November 24th, at The Montclair Bikery. This fundraising event where participants bike 15 miles to deliver frozen turkeys, will benefit the Human Needs Food Pantry, an organization that has served Northern New Jersey residents, including Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Bloomfield, for many years. Locals can get involved by donating, biking, or volunteering. See more details here.

Bloomfield Cruisers Holiday Party + Toy Drive | 2 East Passaic Avenue, Nutley

December 6th

According to the organization’s website, Bloomfield Cruisers is “a non-profit group of collector car and motorcycle enthusiasts.” This group will host its annual Holiday Party + Toy Drive on December 6th at 5PM at the Old Canal Inn on Passaic Avenue. Every year, this organization hosts this end-of-the-season event to collect donations of newly purchased and unwrapped toys and gift cards for the drive. All donations will be given to the Bloomfield Police Department and handed out to Bloomfield families in need during Santa’s Parade of Classic Cars on December 7th (rain date: December 8th). For more information, click here.

In addition to the holiday event, those looking to donate can also drop off the items no later than December 6th at various locations, including Hot Bagels Abroad at 1129 Broad Street, Brookdale Reformed Church at 16 Bellevue Avenue, and Bloomfield’s Police Headquarters at 1 Municipal Plaza.

CASA of Essex County Holiday Gift Drive | Essex County

Ends December 11th

CASA of Essex County, an organization dedicated to children in foster care, is currently accepting gift donations for its Holiday Gift drive. Those interested in getting involved can order items off the organization’s Amazon wish list no later than Monday, December 11th. This wish list has gift cards, electronics, toys, and more. Click here for more information.

Little Falls Police Department Holiday Toy Drive | 225 Main Street, Little Falls

Ends December 12th

The Little Falls Police Department will accept donations for its Holiday Toy Drive until December 12th. All donations will go to the patients of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. The police department will accept items like gift cards, new toys, or recently purchased toys still in its original wrapping, and stuffed animals and plushies in its original packaging. Those interested in donating can drop off the items at the Little Falls Police headquarters on Main Street. Learn more here.

Toys for Tots | 1130 State Street, Perth Amboy + 540 Shaler Boulevard, Ridgefield

Ends December 20th

Toys for Tots is a nationwide organization “dedicated to bringing joy to underprivileged families during the Christmas holiday season,” as per its website. This year, the organization operates in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Essex County. Locals can get involved by volunteering, becoming sponsors, or donating newly purchased and unwrapped toys. For Essex County, donations must be dropped off at 1130 State Street, Perth Amboy. Donors can bring items to 540 Shaler Boulevard in Ridgefield for Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic County. Both locations are open Monday to Friday from 9AM to 3PM. Learn more here.

Christmas Community Distribution Event | 242 Jefferson Avenue, Newark

December 22nd

The New Jersey Latino American Trooper Society (NJLATS) is seeking donations of winter hats, coats, and gloves for its Christmas Community Distribution Event on December 22nd. NJLATS encourages those looking to get involved to head to its Amazon wish list. For more information, see here.

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

Jersey Cares Coat Drive | Multiple Locations

Ends January 12th

Jersey Cares, a volunteering organization serving New Jersey residents, has hosted its annual Coat Drive for the past 28 years. Last year, the organization collected over 20,000 coats. The drive has returned for 2024 and will end on January 12th. Locals interested in donating should bring gently used men's, women's, children's, and infant coats to their selected locations. For those donating ten coats or less, choose your location here. For those donating more than ten coats, see your container location here.