In response to a request on the Swap SOMA Lounge Facebook page, Lisa Ozer of the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges provided the following list for those looking for opportunities to volunteer on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Ozer graciously allowed us to reproduce the list here:
It’s hard to find places to volunteer on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, as everyone is off and many are looking to help out that day. Here are a few suggestions to try, and a few alternatives:
https://www.jerseycares.org/HOC__Volunteer_Opportunity_Calendar_Page
https://www.facebook.com/NJVolunteerExchange
https://www.volunteermatch.org/ (most of these specific suggestions are not date specific)
ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS:
- In gratitude for the dinner you will be able to eat, go grocery shopping (or raid your pantry) and donate canned goods so others will not be hungry. The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, which is now routinely distributing groceries to 175 – 200 clients each week (over 2,000 cans each pantry day) would love your donation of canned vegetables, potatoes, tuna, canned protein meals (like ravioli or chili), tomato sauce, beans, fruit, soup, and (plastic) jars of peanut butter and jelly. For more information on IFPO, visit orangesfoodpantry.org.
- Clean your closets and donate clothes you no longer wear to others in need. Drop boxes for clothing can be accessed on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Days at these sites:
- Community Foodbank of NJ: 15-19 Evans Terminal Road, Hillside, NJ 908 242 3955 (clothing sold at Kathleen’s Closet, thrift store whose proceeds support CFBNJ, which fights hunger and poverty in New Jersey).
- Red Cross, 389 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ (your donations of used clothing help support Red Cross programs and services).
- The Jersey Cares Coat Drive runs through Dec. 9. Your donation will also be accepted after that date by Bridges 120 Morris Avenue Summit, NJ 07901 Oakes Center (entrance on Russell Place), which accepts seasonal clothing for the homeless Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Clean out your kids’ toy closet, your housewares, etc. and, on Monday, make a call to donate, schedule a pickup or find a donation site. See lots of options at the attached list (see below).
- Clean your children’s bookshelves for a great cause. Gently used children’s books will be given to school children in Orange through the Children’s Book Pantry of Orange at the Y. Books can be left for 321 N. Wyoming Ave, Unit 2D, South Orange. For further information, email crlukoff@aol.com.
- Clean your bookshelves, and on Monday call BookBGone for free media removal services that benefits literary programs, art and music organizations, community centers and more.
- Looking for things to do with kids? Once you’ve cleaned the toy closets and bookshelves:
- Color a picture for the homebound, ill, or elderly to brighten their day. www.colorasmile.org.
- Bake cookies together. Deliver them to your local police precinct, fire station or rescue squad to say thanks for all they do!
- Computer savvy kids? Click away to provide free mammograms (www.thebreastcancersite.com), pet supplies (www.theanimalrescuesite.com), hunger relief (www.thehungersite.com), protect the rainforest (www.therainforestsite.com), and give free books (www.theliteracysite.com).
- Write a thank you letter to our troops or veterans. https://www.operationgratitude.com/writeletters
