Spring has sprung and so have opportunities to help the community. The nicer weather means even more opportunities to help out, with more outdoor activities available. There is something for everyone and the need is great in Essex County. We have rounded up over a dozen ways to give back this season. Read on for our spring 2024 volunteering roundup in Essex County, New Jersey.
Through Friday April 5th | Spring Into Action to Conquer Violence | 600 South 17th Street, Newark
Join the United Community Corporation as the group will “spring into action” with the community to conquer violence. All week long the community can register and play games to support this organization whose mission is to expand social services in the city of Newark. Learn more here.
Wednesday, April 3rd | Out Montclair Drag Bingo | 30 Park Street, Montclair
Help raise money for Out Montclair with a chance to get lucky. Drag Bingo at Just Jake’s starts at 7:30PM and is hosted by Harmonica Sunbeam. Learn more here.
Monday, April 8th | 10% Donation Day at The Fox + Falcon Benefitting Isaiah House | 19 Valley Street, South Orange
David Burke’s The Fox and Falcon will be donating 10% of total food purchases from this evening to Isaiah House from 4PM-9PM. Head to Isaiah Houses’ Instagram page to gather the flyer needed to present to the wait staff. Learn more here.
Read More: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities in Essex County
Thursday, April 11th | Clinical Communication + Relationships at the End of Life | 298 Broadway, Newark
The Broadway House for Continuing Care will host a support session for those whose loved ones are facing the end of life. Join the course from 6PM-7PM. Learn more here.
Friday, April 12th | Covenant House Unite for Women SleepOut | 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford
The NY Giants and the women of Covenant House Newark are uniting to show those experiencing homelessness and sex trafficking that they are not alone. Those interested in supporting are invited to sleep out in the stadium to help raise awareness and funds for this cause. Learn more here.
Saturday, April 13th | Donation Day at Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
Join the Human Needs Food Pantry on the third Saturday for donation day from 10AM-12PM. Food pantry supplies are needed. Learn more here.
Saturday April 18th | The Spring Fling Dance Party | 8 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
Out Montclair is back for another year of The Spring Fling Dance Party. Get ready to welcome Spring and raise money for Out Montclair, an organization supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in Essex County. Learn more here.
Sunday, April 21st | The Northeast Earth Coalition Earth Day Celebrations | Crane Park, Montclair
The Northeast Earth Coalition is set for another year of Earth Day celebrations. From live music to trail clean-ups, this week will be all about restoring the planet. Learn more here.
Sunday, May 5th | Walnut Street Fair for Junior League of Montclair-Newark | Walnut Street, Montclair
Support the community and have some fun at the Walnut Street Fair hosted by the Junior League of Montclair-Newark on May 5th. Shop from a variety of vendors and support young entrepreneurs and artists. Learn more here.
Wednesday, May 29th | Covenant House’s Night of Broadway Stars | 1 Center Street, Newark
A night of the arts to help raise awareness and funds for Covenant House, an organization committed to ending homelessness and sex trafficking. Enjoy world-renowned Broadway stars while giving back to this worthy cause. Learn more here.
Saturday, June 8th | Nutley Family Service Bureau Rock Concert Fundraiser | 2 East Passaic Avenue, Nutley
This high-energy music festival to support the Nutley Family Service Bureau is back for another year. Get ready for local musicians to rock out and raise money for the organization’s mission of access to mental health and social services. Sponsorship, attendance, and volunteer opportunities are available. Learn more here.
Ongoing Opportunities
ANSWERS Moving Forward Inc. | 712 Springfield Avenue, Newark
ANSWERS Moving Forward (AMF) is a non-profit organization created to support men in the community in need of temporary shelter by providing a clean, safe environment and resources for re-entry into society. Donations for those in the shelter are always welcome. Items most needed include clothing and toiletries. To organize a donation drop-off or to learn more, email A.MovingForward@ymail.com.
Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry | 275 West Market Street, Newark/58 Hartford Street, Newark
The Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry is in need of volunteers to support during their opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 11AM-1PM. Learn more here.
Blessed Sacrament Pantry | 19 Van Ness Place, Newark
Pantry manager Helen Brooks aims to combat hunger, one cereal bowl at a time. The Blessed Sacrament Pantry is able to provide both hunger and lifestyle needs. Volunteers are needed to work alongside Ms. Brooks to ensure the community in need receives the donated items. Learn more here.
Broadway House for Continuing Care | 298 Broadway, Newark
Broadway House provides comprehensive support for those with acute illness or injury, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS. Volunteers are needed to help guests socialize by playing games, mentoring, and more. An application is needed to be a volunteer. Learn more here.
Calvary Baptist Church Food Pantry | 66 South Grove Street, East Orange
Together with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Calvary Baptist Church Food Pantry services the East Orange area. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, hot meals and non-perishables are distributed to the community. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Learn more here.
Church of the Eternal God | 190 Highland Avenue, Newark
On the second Saturday of every month, the Church of the Eternal God hosts its food pantry for distribution to the community. Guests can pick up food on location or delivery of food is available upon request. Volunteers are needed for food distribution and delivery. Learn more here.
Church of the Holy Spirit Food Pantry | 36 Gould Street, Verona
The Food Pantry affiliated with The Church of the Holy Spirit provides basic needs to residents of Essex County. Volunteers are needed to keep the mission going. Assistance is needed to set up, greet the guests, and clean up. Volunteers are needed on Fridays from 5PM-6PM before the 4th Friday of the month. Volunteers are needed on Saturdays from 8:15AM-9:45AM and then from 9:45AM-11:15AM. Volunteers for cleanup are needed by 11AM on Saturdays. Learn how to support here.
Covenant House | 330 Washington Street, Newark
The Covenant House supports at-risk youth from homelessness and human trafficking. Volunteers are needed to spend time with the youth in different capacities. Most volunteer positions are two-hour shifts with a three-month commitment of coming weekly or bi-weekly. The most immediate volunteer needs are listed on the organization’s site. Learn more here.
First Hopewell Baptist Church Food Pantry | 525 Orange Street, Newark
The First Hopewell Baptist Church has joined over 20 other food pantries to gather food for those in need. Volunteers are welcome to support the effort or even host a food drive to collect items in need. Learn more here.
First Seventh Day Adventist Church | 15 Elmwood Avenue, Montclair
On the second and last Sunday of every month the First Seventh Day Adventist Church food pantry is open to the community. From 12PM-5PM guests can come to receive food and other items. Learn more here.
Franciscan Charities–St. Ann’s | 212 Hunterdon Street, Newark
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11AM-2PM, meals and snack bags are distributed to the community. Volunteers are needed to help pack and distribute the bags and fellowship with those who come. Learn more here.
Hombres y Mujers De Valor Par | 347 6th Avenue, Newark
Every Saturday from 12PM-3PM Hombres y Mujeres De Valor Par hosts its food pantry. Volunteers are needed to support. Learn more here.
House of Love Kitchen/Pantry | 589-595 Central Avenue, Newark
The House of Love Kitchen/Pantry is run mostly by the support of volunteers. Those in the community who have spent time giving back to House of Love in various ways share the blessings they have felt while serving. The kitchen is open on Tuesdays from 5PM-8PM and the food pantry is open every fourth Tuesday. Learn more here.
Human Needs Food Pantry | 9 Label Street, Montclair
Donation opportunities are always available for the Human Needs Food Pantry. 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-2:30PM for client pick-up. Learn how to support here.
Inner City Emerg (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 the community at large. The organization is currently looking for public-minded volunteers who “aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty”. Learn more here.
Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges | 105 Main Street, Orange
The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges provides resources such as food, clothing, period supplies, diapers, toiletries, clothes, and more to those in emergency need. For those in the community seeking resources, access to the pantry is available via bus stops #41, #73, and #92. Learn more here.
Isaiah House | 238 North Munn Avenue
Isaiah House has been providing resources to the community at large such as food distribution, HIV/AIDS program, 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.
Jazz House Kids | 347 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Give the gift of music. Students at the Jazz House Kids are in need of support for music classes and scholarships. Learn how to support here.
Little Zion U.A.M.E. Church Food Pantry | 154 Stephens Street, Belleville
Every third and fourth Saturday of the month, volunteers are needed at 10AM to help with food distribution to the community. Food donations are needed as well. Those in need are welcome to come to 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. The pantry is taking donations and help is needed to distribute and organize food. Learn more here.
Montclair Township Animal Shelter | 77 North Willow Street, Montclair
The Montclair Township Animal Shelter is available to serve the community in times of uncertainty. Volunteer opportunities are available for those 18 years and older. Sign up for dog walking and/or cat care. Learn how to support here.
Nutley Family Service Bureau | 169 Chestnut Street, Nutley
Nutley Family Service provides resources to those in need to help enhance family life. Services 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.
Pound Animal Welfare Society | Montclair
Pound Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is in need of reliable and loving foster families for cats and dogs. All fosters must go through the proper process before being selected. Learn how to support here.
Roseville Presbyterian Church Food Pantry | 36 Roseville Avenue, Newark
Every second Monday of the month the Roseville Presbyterian Church Food Pantry distributes groceries to the community. Donations and volunteers are always needed. Learn more here.
Salem Seventh Day Adventist | 10 South Oraton Parkway, East Orange
Every second and fourth Thursday of the month the Salem Seventh Day Adventist hosts its food pantry. Guests can come from 9AM-12PM for food. Volunteers are needed to support this effort. Learn more here.
Salvation Army | 430 Main Street, East Orange
The Salvation Army of Essex County is in need of various volunteer tasks. Opportunities to field calls for the organization, fill out local food vendor forms, create client referral packages, and more are available and needed. Learn more here.
Toni’s Kitchen at St. Luke’s Church | 73 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Food prep, serving, bagging, driving, food delivery, and pickups are needed at Toni’s Kitchen at St. Luke’s Church. To be accepted as a volunteer, please pre-register online. Learn more here.
Toussaint Food Pantry | 528 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark
For the past 23 years, the Toussaint Food Pantry has been serving the community of Newark, reaching over 300 families (700 people) monthly. The pantry is open every Saturday from 9AM-11AM. Volunteers are needed for the distribution and organization of food. Learn more here.
See More: Volunteering Opportunities in Hudson County | Spring 2024 Season
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 with food and clothing distribution, reading to the guests, teaching life skills workshops, and more. Learn more here.
United Community Corporation | 933 South 17th Street, Newark
The mission of United Community Corporation is to service low-income, disadvantaged, and/or at-risk individuals in the community. This organization works with AmeriCorps VISTA to staff its volunteers. Information on becoming a VISTA can be found on their site. Learn more here.
Zion United Church Food Pantry | 17 Alexander Street, Newark
The Zion United Church has a food pantry and soup kitchen in operation. Every Friday at 5PM those in need in the community can come to receive food. The pantry asks that guests call ahead if they are in need. Learn more here.
