As the weather gets warmer and COVID-19 restrictions continue to be lifted, more volunteer opportunities are popping up again. The community at large can always use support and volunteers to help make these great resources continue to run. Check out volunteer opportunities coming up this summer as well as ways to stay involved all year. Read on to find a volunteering opportunity in Essex County this summer.
July 3rd NJ Animal Save Save Square—Street Activism | 42 Church Street, Montclair
Street activism uses multimedia to engage bystanders in a specific cause. The NJ Animal Save is taking to the streets to fight for animal rights, a cleaner environment, and social justice. They are looking for as many voices as possible to stand up and help move towards a vegan lifestyle. The event is free and open to the public starting at 9:30PM. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
July 4th The Universal Church Blood Drive | 100 Clinton Avenue, Newark
The need for blood donation has been in a critical state since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need is still great. The Universal Church is hosting a blood donation through Vitalant on Sunday, July 4th starting at 9AM. Donors can sign up for a time slot of their choosing. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
July 10th July Weekend Donation Day | 9 Label Street, Montclair
The Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair is hosting one donation day in July. For those interested in donating to the cause, a special request is for new backpacks and school supplies. Additional items needed include non-perishable food items and personal care items. The Pantry is requesting no donations of clothing or houseware currently. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
July 15th Blood and Platelet Drive | 204 Hillside Avenue, Livingston
Saint Barnabas Medical Center is hosting a blood and platelet drive. Both blood and platelets are needed locally for patients needing surgery or cancer treatment as supply is currently dangerously low. Appointments are still available for the day. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Read More: Community Farms + Gardens in Montclair + Bloomfield
July 22nd The Passaic FMBA 20th Annual Golf Outing | 1 Thomas Carmichael Drive, Newark
Voted as one of the best golf outings in New Jersey, The Passaic PMBA annual golf outing is underway. Starting at 10AM on July 22nd, guests can enjoy 18 holes, alcohol, food, cigars, and a full dinner in the evening with the purchase of a $175 ticket. Proceeds from the event will benefit Passaic local emergency response team. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Pride Never Ends | Multiple locations
The progress Pride Flag will be flown over Montclair Town Hall for all of June thanks to the support of a local donor. But, the celebration doesn’t have to end just because the calendar changes to July. With a contribution of any dollar amount to Out Montclair, you can plant your own progress flag at home or wherever you choose. After the donation is complete, pick up your flag at Café Moso (307 Orange Road), Coffee and Cornbread (38 Upper Montclair Plaza), or Culture Couture (53 Church Street). Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
On-Going Opportunities
Animal Fostering at Pound Animal Welfare Society
Fostering a pet could save the animal’s life. PAWS in Montclair is consistently looking for loving foster parents to provide a safe environment for cats until they find a forever home. Fostering allows for a less stressful environment than a shelter and also starts the socialization process with humans earlier. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Catholic Charities of Newark | 976 Broad Street, Newark
A variety of options are available to support the community. Please contact Sharon Reilly-Tobin via email at stobin@ccannj.org to learn about the greatest needs. Learn more about this opportunity here.
Communities Promoting Animal Welfare in NJ | 41 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
An opportunity for even the busiest volunteer. With options to help from home, at school, in-person, and virtually, the entire community can help save animals in the area. Volunteers are needed to help educate the community on animal welfare, help organize events, transport animals to and from doctor’s visits, and more. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Cultural Academic Student Exchange | 211 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair
Become a host family for the Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE) and house a student studying abroad. The CASE program is always in need of families of all backgrounds to help immerse international students into the culture of the area and to help navigate everyday life during their stay. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
First Seventh-Day Adventist Church Soup Kitchen | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair
Every Sunday from 12:00-2:30 the soup kitchen at the First Seventh-Day Adventist Church is available to those in need in the community. Join as a volunteer to this ministry that has been in and of service for over a decade. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve food. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
Opportunities to give back to the community are always available here. As a necessary component to the operation of the food pantry, volunteers are needed to do tasks from packaging fruits and vegetables to sorting donated clothes. For those who would like to interact with the community, the opportunity to deliver food to homebound clients is available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
LGBT Rain Foundation Essex County | 168 N Park Street, East Orange
The mission of LGBT Rain Foundation of Essex County has a mission of getting 18-26 persons experiencing homelessness on the path from transitional housing to permanent housing. A variety of tasks are needed to run this foundation. Volunteers are asking to make a 6-month commitment at a time to allow for relationship building with the residents. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
See More: Outdoor Spring Escapes in Essex County
Montclair Community Farms | 108 Orange Road, Montclair
(Photo credit: @montclaircommunityfarms)
The Montclair Community Farms mission is to educate and engage the community through farms, food, and health. The community has come to love their volunteer opportunities to learn more about urban farming and help make healthy food accessible to those in the area. Opportunities to volunteer have been scarce in the past year, but ongoing opportunities are beginning again soon. Email head farmer Lana at lana@montclaircommunityfarms.org to learn about current opportunities. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities at the Montclair Public Library | 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
During the pandemic volunteer opportunities have been difficult to come by, especially for teens in search of projects to fulfill school requirements or to simply have something to do after school hours. The Montclair Public Library saw this concern and created new opportunities. For those looking for virtual volunteer opportunities, sign up to be a Reading Buddy from now until May. For those comfortable with in-person volunteering, opportunities to be involved with the Summer Reading Program are now available. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
Toni’s Kitchen | 73 South Fullerton Street, Montclair
(Photo credit: @tonis.kitchen)
Serving food to the community is a daily ongoing effort. Toni’s Kitchen in Montclair is available for this support. However, they can stay in operation with the support of ongoing volunteers. Those high school age and up are eligible to help with serving food to guests. Opportunities are available for individuals and groups daily. Learn more about this volunteer opportunity here.
