This holiday season, it’s worth pausing to think about the charities and individuals in need that are deserving of your gifts, too. We’ve rounded up a handful of New Jersey non-profit organizations that you, your family, or your company should consider making a donation to this month.
Community FoodBank of New Jersey
One million people in New Jersey face hunger every day. Nearly 300,000 of them are children. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the state’s largest anti-hunger and anti-poverty organization, works with food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to help feed our food insecure neighbors. Every $1 you donate can help provide three meals to those in need.
Where to Donate: www.cfbnj.org
Center for Food Action
The Center for Food Action (CFA) provides food, housing, utility and heating assistance, and offers counseling and advocacy services to northern New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. Your donation will help families and individuals keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads not only during the holidays but year-round. CFA accepts monetary donations as well as food donations.
Where to Donate: www.cfanj.org
Good Grief
Since 2004, Good Grief has worked to ensure that no child in New Jersey has to grieve alone. The organization provides unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults and families after the death of a mother, father, sister or brother through peer support programs, education and advocacy.
Where to Donate: www.good-grief.org/waystogive
Holiday Express
The months of November and December are not joyful for everyone, but the Tinton Falls based Holiday Express believes that nobody should be alone at the holidays. This year, Holiday Express is celebrating its 25th year of delivering music, food, gifts, support and friendship to those who need it most.
Where to Donate: www.holidayexpress.org
Moms Helping Moms
The Moms Helping Moms Foundation is a baby supply and diaper bank that provides low-income families in New Jersey with the basics so babies can have a safe, happy and healthy start. Moms Helping Moms accepts new or gently used baby items such as diapers, new bottles, clothing, books, strollers and more. Your donation of $20 will supply a family with a week supply of diapers; an $80 donation will supply one month’s worth of diapers.
Where to Donate: www.momshelpingmomsfoundation.org/donate
Bridge of Books Foundation
Thousands of New Jersey children do not have adequate access to books in their homes, schools or communities. This holiday season help put books into the hands of the children who need them with a donation to the Bridge of Books Foundation. Give the gift of literacy by donating books or making a donation so they can be purchased.
Where to Donate: www.bridgeofbooksfoundation.org
HomeFront
Started by volunteers providing meals for families living in welfare motels, HomeFront has worked for 25 years to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Central Jersey. HomeFront works with clients to ensure adequate incomes and affordable housing, and helps homeless families advocate for themselves individually and collectively. Each year, more than 1,200 HomeFront volunteers work to provide families with food, goods and services—such as weeknight tutoring. In addition to financial contributions, HomeFront accepts donations of household goods, food and clothing.
Where to Donate: www.homefrontnj.org
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Make a difference in a child’s life this holiday season and support CASA of NJ, dedicated to providing a voice for children of New Jersey who have been removed from their families because of abuse of neglect. CASA of NJ ensures these children are served by a qualified, well-trained Court Appointed Special Advocate. You can make a donation to continue support of local CASA programs, or donate your own time and become a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Where to Donate: www.casaofnj.org/DonateNow
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
Consider supporting New Jersey’s wildlife species with a donation to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, dedicated to protecting these species and their habitats. One of the organization’s most recent fundraising campaigns was focused on saving the Garden State’s bald eagles.
Where to Donate: www.conservewildlifenj.org
Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey
Since 1983, families have been coming to the Ronald McDonald House while their children receive specialized treatment for life-threatening illnesses and diseases at nearby hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Shriners Hospital for Children, Cooper University Hospital and the Wills Eye Institute. The house serves as a home away from home for families from all over the country and from as far away as Asia and Central America. It provides comfortable beds to sleep in, playrooms and toys, hot showers, home-cooked meals, a place to do laundry, transportation to doctors’ appointments and more—at little or no cost for the families. Your donation to the Ronald McDonald House will help keep these families close while children receive treatment.
Where to Donate: www.ronaldhouse-snj.org