Tabernacle United Methodist Church will be hosting Stop Hunger Now on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. in Michael Hall on the Tabernacle campus. Those involved in the event will help package meals to fight hunger. A $25 donation is requested to cover the cost of the food that will be packaged. Registrations and checks are needed by Nov. 16. Register at the church office, or send to: Tabernacle UMC, 702 Seashore Rd., Cape May, NJ 08204. Designate “Stop Hunger” on your check’s memo line.
The Coalition Against Rape and Abuse is currently looking for turkey donations to complete Thanksgiving dinners that are being provided to clients. Any size turkey will do. If you would like to donate, please contact Nikki Nichols or Linda Krail at (609) 522-6489. Donations are needed by Nov. 18.
Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Food Campaign to benefit the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, which provides Thanksgiving meals to those in our area who are less fortunate, now through Nov. 20. Donations can be dropped off at any of the Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union offices in Northfield, Galloway, Rio Grande or the William J. Hughes Technical Center (restricted access). Fresh and frozen turkeys and hams can be dropped off at the Northfield office lobby on Monday, Nov. 23 by 11:30 a.m.
The Avalon Lions, Avalon Free Public Library, Holy Redeemer Food Pantry and Avalon Acme Market will partner to help feed the needy this holiday season. The food drive runs through Nov. 24. Donations can be dropped off at Holy Redeemer Food Pantry, 1801 N. Route 9, Swainton, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (drop at front office; contact Marion Matticola at (609) 463-6062); or the Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St. Avalon, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (contact Norm Gluckman at (609) 967-7155).
The SOAR Church and NJ State Police Woodbine Barracks are accepting donations of gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, etc. for their 2nd annual coat giveaway. Donations can be dropped off at the station, 823 Franklin St., Woodbine, through Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Miracles Fitness in Rio Grande welcomes the community on Thanksgiving Day from 9 to 10 a.m. to join a Zumba class and/or Boot Camp for a $10 donation to benefit St. Mary’s, The Branches, which feeds the hungry every day. You do not have to be a member of Miracles Fitness to attend – all are welcome!
CompleteCare Medical & Dental Professionals in Wildwood is hosting their second annual “Operation Warm” Coat Drive to collect clean, gently-used coats for men, women and children in the area who are in need. Donations will be accepted now through Friday, Nov. 27 at 3700 New Jersey Ave. in Wildwood. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (609) 465-0258 x2450.
Frank Theatres is partnering with local food banks for a ThanksGIVING Week Canned Food Drive from Nov. 22 through Nov. 28. Their mission is to provide families in need with food for the holiday season. Drop off all non-perishable and canned foods at Frank Theatres Rio Stadium 12, 3801 Route 9, Rio Grande. Give three cans of food or non-perishable items and get a FREE medium popcorn!
Spreading The Love, a nonprofit volunteer organization in Rio Grande, is holding a clothing drive supporting the homeless of Cape May County. New or used items in need for both men and women will be collected through Nov. 30. Collection locations are OCHS Main Office, OCIS Main Office and Dr. Nanavati’s office at 2 Village Dr., Cape May Court House (ask for Yvonne). Look for the brown box labeled “SpreadingtheloveNJ.” For more information, contact Sue at (215) 514-6738 or jsmdm11@gmail.com. Spreading The Love offers warm food Monday through Thursday to those in homeless/near homeless situations in Cape May County. Volunteers are always welcome.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, under the initiative of Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH!), is asking for canned food donations through November for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, which distributes food to Cape May County residents. Canned and packaged food can be dropped off at the RCE location from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 355 Court House-South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. For more information, call (609) 465-5115.
Sleepy’s Cape May will be participating in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by serving as designated drop off sites for the 2015 Toys for Tots toy drive. Bring any new, unwrapped toy throughout November and early December to Sleepy’s Cape May and Toys for Tots will provide a new toy at Christmas to less fortunate youngsters in neighboring communities.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Cape May County will hold its Annual Postal Food Drive. The rural and city letter carriers along with many other postal employees and volunteers from Post Offices throughout Cape May County will be collecting non-perishable foods to help fill our local food banks. Please leave any non-perishable foods by your mailbox and your mail carrier will pick it up. You can also drop off any food at your local Post Office. All the food collected stays in our local food banks.
Cape May Brewing Company is collecting non-perishable food items for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. From now through Dec. 14, non-perishable food items will be accepted at CMBC’s tasting room, 1288 Hornet Rd., Cape May. For every four items they donate, visitors will receive $1 off of any beer-to-go purchase. New this season, guests of the brewery will also have the option of donating a dollar to play the Hook and Ring Toss game set up in the CMBC tasting room. All proceeds will be gifted to the FoodBank.
In an effort to fight hunger in the communities it serves this holiday season, 550 TCC stores across the country are collecting canned and boxed foods from customers and community members for their second annual “Stop the Hunger” campaign. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 14. The following week, donations will be delivered to local partnering food banks. Donations can be dropped off locally at 3159 Rt. 9 S., Unit 5., Rio Grande, 2714 Boardwalk, Wildwood, or 20 Court House Rd., Cape May.
Atlantic Cape Community College is collecting new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls of all ages through Dec. 18 to be donated to Toys for Tots. Drop-off boxes are located on each floor of Atlantic Cape’s Cape May County Campus, 341 Court House-South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. For more information, contact Denise O’Connor at doconnor@atlantic.edu.
The Avalon Free Public Library is collecting toys for Toys for Tots through Dec. 20. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the collection box in the library’s lobby, located at 235 32nd St. Avalon, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (contact Norm Gluckman at (609) 967-7155).
Donations are being collected for the Animal Giving Tree now through Jan. 2. Donations can be dropped off at the porch of the Billmae Cottage, 1015 Washington St., Cape May. All donations will be delivered to Animal Outreach and the County Shelter on Jan. 3. Donations needed include dog and cat food, treats and toys; bleach for cleaning; old but clean towels, blankets, etc. for bedding; and unused leashes, crates, scarves, etc. Every donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated by the animals and their caregivers!
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside™” is the name of a statewide, non-perishable food, coat, hat, glove and scarf drive being sponsored by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC), a nonprofit state organization. At participating ANJC offices throughout the state, people can drop off food items, coats, hats, gloves and scarves for those in need. These items will be donated to a number of charitable organizations in New Jersey. Drop off donations locally at Kemenosh Chiropractic Center, Dr. Matthew P. Kemenosh D.C., C.C.S.P. Certified Sports Physician, 300 Third St., Ocean City. For more information, call (609) 399-6000 or visit www.kemenoshchiropractic.com.
The Dennis Township Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual “Secret Santa” program. This program benefits Dennis Township and Woodbine residents and their families by providing much needed assistance during the holiday season. The Chamber is seeking sponsors and donations so that it may help as many families as possible. Additionally, businesses and individuals are able to sponsor families in need. Collection boxes for toys and consumer products will be located in area businesses. If you are interested in providing a donation or sponsorship, please make checks payable to DTCOC Secret Santa Program and mail to PO Box 327, Dennisville, NJ 08214-0327. For more information, call (609) 861-1419.
The Cape May Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys or games for the Sergeant Bill Alvarez Memorial Toy Drive. Donations can be dropped off at the Welcome Center located at 609 Lafayette St., Cape May seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check or cash donations are also accepted and can be dropped off anytime to the police dispatch window inside the Cape May Police Department. If mailing a check, please make payable to “Cape May Police Toy Drive” and mail to 643 Washington St., Cape May, NJ 08204.
Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio’s 23rd annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive is now accepting donations of non-perishable food, toys and gift cards. Donations can be brought to the following locations: City Hall (233 JFK Blvd., second floor), Andrea Trattoria Italiana II (4216 Park Rd.), Basilica’s Ristorante & Pizzeria (27 43rd Street), City Burger Restaurant (4201 Landis Avenue), First Bank of Sea Isle City (4301 Landis Ave.), KIX-McNutley’s (63rd St.), La Fontana Coast Restaurant (5000 Landis Ave.), Mrs. Brizzle’s Buns and Deli (4411 Landis Ave.) and the Sea Isle City Welcome Center. Monetary donations can be mailed to the Mayor’s Office at City Hall, 233 JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243. Please make checks payable to “Mayor’s Food and Toy Drive.” For more information, call Mayor Desiderio’s Office at (609) 263-4461 ext. 1217.
Socks for Seniors is a nonprofit community service project that organizes, collects and distributes NEW socks for seniors in communities all over the country. The project is currently looking for donations as well as hosts for a local drive. If you are interested in donating to Socks for Seniors or hosting a local drive, contact Jamie Coyne at (615) 787-SOCK(7625) or jamie@socksforseniors.com.
Be on the lookout for other local drives happening in the area!