The Winter season can be a time of twinkle lights, cozy nights, and holiday gatherings. But it can also be a challenging time, from mental health struggles, monetary shortages, or just needing enough to eat and a place to sleep. If you have time and money to spare, why not “share the warmth” by helping local organizations bring aid to the Morris area? Here are some suggestions:
Market Street Mission
79 Market St, Morristown • www.marketstreet.org
Market Street Mission has provided food, shelter, addiction recovery, and job training services to Morris County since 1889. They have a whole host of volunteer opportunities, from serving meals, collecting outerwear for their Coat Drive/ Giveaway, collecting or wrapping gifts at the Christmas Toy Shoppe, or sponsoring a Thanksgiving meal for $2.82— they expect to serve 22,500 meals this season!
nourish.NJ
36 Sussex Ave, Morristown • nourishnj.org
nourish.nj has been helping people throughout Morris County since 1984. They offer numerous off-site opportunities to volunteer your time, from fulfilling items from their Current Needs List to assembling kits to be distributed. Choose from the Purple Apron Meal Kits, Purposeful Acts of Kindness Kits, or Rise and Shine Breakfast Kits and assemble them with a group or at home for a fun and meaningful way to help your neighbors in need.
Table of Hope at Bethel Church
59 Spring St, Morristown • www.springstreetcdc.org
Table of Hope is committed to improving the lives of families in Morris County. Participate in their good works this holiday season by helping with their mobile food pantries and the community soup kitchen, contributing to their Food and Turkey Collection in November, or donate to their Sponsor a Stocking or Toy Drive during December.
Here are more beyond the Morris Area!
Christ Church Food for Hope
140 Green Pond Rd, Rockaway • christchurchusa.org/foodforhope
Every year, Christ Church hosts their Food for Hope giveaway, encouraging families to register for a box of food for themselves or to bless another family with. They plan to give away 28,000 pounds of food via boxes consisting of meat, fresh vegetables/fruit, and nonperishables. To give back you can donate a turkey, donate $40 to fund a box, or donate your time on the day of the event, November 18, 2023.
Denville Township Food Pantry
1 St. Mary’s Place, 2nd Floor, Denville • denvillenj.gov
The Food Pantry at Town Hall is always a great place for donations, and you can count on donating to their Thanksgiving Drive. In December, keep an eye out for the Adopt-a-Family program. Denville families and seniors experiencing financial hardship can submit wish lists and individuals and organizations can fulfill them!
Liquid Church
299 Webro Rd, Parsippany • www.liquidchurch.com
Grabbing coffee at Clean Water Cafe in Liquid Church supports adults with special needs and helps provide clean water to Africa, but there are also two more hands-on ways to help. City Relief takes food and supplies into Paterson, and you can serve on a mobile street outreach team or assemble hygiene kits for distribution. Homeless Solutions is also in need of volunteers to prepare and serve meals at their transition shelter.
Love More Judge Less
1017 Main Street, Boonton • judgeless.org
Love More Judge Less accepts all for who they are, helping people overcome self-injury through support, resources, activities, and volunteerism. In the Fall and Winter months they accept donations for Thankful Boxes and Christmas stockings, filling them with food and goodies and donating them to charities in the towns they work in. It’s a great way to give back!
Loaves & Fishes Community Food Pantry
513 Birch St, Boonton • www.lfcfp.org
Loaves & Fishes is a joint venture of the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church in Boonton. Helping over 70 families per week, donating food or volunteering your time is a direct way to help people right town. Keep an eye out for special drives (such as a Pet Food Drive) as the holiday season approaches, and you can conveniently donate at their outdoor receptacle at any time.
Roots & Wings Foundation
75 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 303, Denville • rootsandwingsnj.org
This local organization provides “safe housing, emotional support, life skills, and educational opportunities for youth aging out of foster care.” The holidays can be a tough time for these youth so Roots & Wings hosts a Holiday Wish List program each year. You can reach out to fulfill wishes or even volunteer to help with apartment readiness or provide specialized training.
Toys for Tots
toysfortots.org
This long-standing organization brings the joy of a new toy or book to children all over America. To date they have distributed 652 million toys to 291 million children! Marine Toys for Tots also has many year-round initiatives concentrating on literacy, Native American children, foster care, and more. If you’d like to donate a new unwrapped toy you can find a location to drop it off.
