Kids & Family

Lend a Helping Hand On Thanksgiving

Stay local while volunteering for Thanksgiving this year.

New Jersey non-profits, churches, soup kitchens and other charitable organizations are offering many ways to volunteer for Thanksgiving this year, whether its preparing, delivering or serving hot meals to those who are less fortunate.

“This time of the year, more than ever, we need the help of the thousands of volunteers who come through our doors to sort, pack and prepare boxes of food for distribution,” said Faye Kuhn, Director of Volunteer Services for the Community Food Bank of NJ.

“The volunteers embody the spirit of the season by giving of themselves to help their neighbors in need. We know that we cannot do this without them and we are extremely grateful for their help,” she added.

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In 2012, the CFBNJ had close to 34,000 volunteer visits, totaling 75,000 hours of donated service in sorting and repacking food for distribution to more than 900,000 people in New Jersey.

Each Thanksgiving, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey hosts its annual frozen turkey drive where people can donate a turkey to help feed their hungry neighbors.

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“Last year, the Turkey Drive brought in almost 4,000 turkeys, more than 37,000 pounds of other much-needed food, along with more than $16,000 and 24 hams,” The Community Food Bank of New Jersey states on its website. “Our signature food drive is a great way to collect food, raise awareness about hunger in New Jersey, and give people a chance to make a difference.”

Turkeys can be purchased and donated at dozens of supermarkets, schools and other sites statewide. Click here to find your nearest collection site. 

For those who do not have time to visit the supermarket, a virtual holiday food drive and online donations are also available.

See below to see where YOU can get involved this Thanksgiving.

Million Man: Montclair

115 Maple Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
866-956-6682

Million Man: Montclair is having its 19th Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration and will be delivering dinners to Essex County residents who would like a meal on Thanksgiving Day. Preparations will be made at the Wally Choice Community Center inside Glenfield Park on Thanksgiving morning and delivered between 11:00am and 1:00pm.

Those who are interested in volunteering can come to the Community Center between 9:00am and 11:00am. Donations of frozen turkeys would be greatly appreciated and can be picked up from your home on Friday and Saturday November 22nd & 23rd . If you have a frozen turkey to donate or any questions about our event please call 866-956-6682.

Church of Presentation

271 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle Rvr, NJ 07458

201-327-1313 ex 840

The Church of Presentation is involved in the collection, preparation, delivery and serving of Thanksgiving dinners at soup kitchens in Newark, Harlem and the Bronx. Call 201-327-1313 ex 840 to see how you can help.

“We serve Thanksgiving dinner in three churches in Newark, Harlem and the Bronx,” said Margie Rightmyer. “We collect the food from our parishioners and have teams of people that prepare the food and gather it together and teams of people who deliver to those three soup kitchens and then serve it on the holiday.”

Woodcliff Christian Harvest

7605 Palisades Avenue, North Bergen, NJ
201-869-4555

The Woodcliff Harvest Food Pantry is seeking up to 12 volunteers to help with meal preparation and meal service on November 27 and 28, respectively. They are located at 7605 Palisades Avenue, North Bergen. For additional details or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Mr. Win Powers at 201-869-4555.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

153 Williams Street, Orange, NJ
973-676-7768

Ebenezer Baptist Church is seeking up to four volunteers to help with serving the day before Thanksgiving from 12:00-2:00 p.m., 10:30 a.m. arrival. They are located at 153 Williams Street, Orange. For additional details or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Ms. Lue Ella Jackson at 973-676-7768.

Rahway Food for Friends – Meal Prep

1221 New Brunswick Ave, Rahway, NJ
732-770-8962

Rahway Food for Friends is seeking up to five volunteers, age 18 or older, to help unload and unpack food boxes and stock shelves in the food pantry the Monday before Thanksgiving (Nov 25) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They are located at 1221 New Brunswick Ave, Rahway. For additional details or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Ms. Candace Ashe at 732-770-8962.

Rahway Food for Friends – Cleanup

First Presbyterian Church, 731 Church Street, Rahway, NJ
732-770-8962

Rahway Food for Friends is seeking up to 2 volunteers, age 18 or older, to help close up and clean up following Thanksgiving meal service on Nov. 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. They are located at the First Presbyterian Church, 731 Church Street, Rahway. For additional details or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Ms. Candace Ashe at 732-770-8962.

Angela CARES, Inc. Feed the Seniors Thanksgiving Dinners

Golden Door Charter School
3044 John F Kennedy Blvd W, Jersey City, NJ
201-685-7273
project@angelacares.org

Local youth will help package and deliver Thanksgiving Dinner to seniors who are homebound or live alone. Call 201-685-7273 if you know a senior who would like a meal, if you would like to contribute, or if you would like to volunteer. Deliveries begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

St. Lucy’s Shelter

619 Grove St., Jersey City, NJ
201-656-7201

St. Lucy's Shelter hosts its annual Thanksgiving dinner, open to anyone in need, at 4 p.m. The shelter can always use donations of food and other items. For more information, or to volunteer, call 201-656-7201.

The Hard Grove Cafe

319 Grove St., Jersey City, NJ
201-451-1853

The Hard Grove Cafe serves its annual Thanksgiving Day meal for the needy between noon and 3 p.m. Volunteers are welcome; for more information, call 201-451-1853.

St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parishes

St. John the Baptist School
3044 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City
201-963-1383.

St. John the Baptist and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parishes are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in the St. John the Baptist School (3044 John F. Kennedy Blvd.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome; volunteers are needed Wednesday night (7 to 9 pm) and Thanksgiving day (8 am to 3 pm). For more information, call 201-963-1383.


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