The Montclair Girl Team 
This fall season, Montclair area locals have plenty of opportunities to give back to their local communities. Whether it be humane centers, historical organizations, or food pantries, all kinds of local nonprofit organizations are seeking volunteers to help with their programs. 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 fall 2025.
Non-Profit Events
Saturday, September 20th — 15th Annual S.O.F.I.A. Walk Against Domestic Violence at Canterbury Park | 9 Planchet Drive, Montclair
Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (S.O.F.I.A.) will host its 15th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence at Canterbury Park on September 20th at 9AM. Participants can either walk in person or virtually while supporting S.O.F.I.A.’s advocacy, support services, and programs that help victims and survivors of domestic violence become self-sufficient and empowered. Learn more here.
Read More: Organizations + Non-Profits to Give Back to in Montclair
Saturday, September 20th — PAWS Tricky Tray 2025 | 269 Broughton Avenue, Bloomfield
Non-profit humane organization PAWS will host its annual Tricky Tray event, benefiting the organization’s programs, on September 20th at the VTW Hall. The drawing begins at 3:30PM, and all attendees are encouraged to donate $5. The tricky tray will include themed baskets, as well as gifts like designer handbags, Pandora bracelets, Amazon Kindle Kids, and more. Learn more here.
Sunday, September 21st — Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s I Run for Girls 5K Run/Walk at Orange Reservoir | 1101 Lamberts Mill Road, 1171 NJ 28, West Orange
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey will host its annual I Run for Girls 5K Run/Walk on September 21st at 9AM. Located at the Orange Reservoir in West Orange, this race is open to participants of all ages and abilities. Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the organization’s programs, which “serve more than 13,000 members from Kindergarten through 12th grade,” as per its website. Learn more here.
Thursday, October 16th — iBelieve Art Show Fundraiser at Montclair Women’s Club | 82 Union Street, Montclair
The Montclair Women’s Club is set to host its iBelieve Art Show Fundraiser, an art event aiming to “shine a spotlight on the resilience and creativity of sexual assault survivors and their allies,” according to the organization’s website, on October 16th from 6PM to 9PM. Attendees can expect an art gallery comprised of pieces made by survivors and supporters. Learn more here.
Saturday, October 25th — NO. 95 Candle Fourth Annual Alzheimer’s Charity Night at 18 Label Studios | 18 Label Street, Montclair
Melyssa Murray, founder of NO. 95 Candles, and James “Murr” Murray from Impractical Jokers will host their fourth annual Alzheimer’s Charity Night event on October 25th from 7PM to 10PM this year. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, “a cause near and dear to the Murrays’ hearts,” as per the website. Tickets start at $28.52. Those who cannot make it in person can purchase virtual tickets. 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 every Monday. 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 10AM to 2PM 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.
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), the Children’s + Family programs, the Creative Aging program, and more. 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
Locals looking to get involved can 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 September 17th, 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.
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