Holiday Outreach
We invite you to join with your colleagues at Princeton University to help make the season bright for local families, individuals and agencies who are in need during the holidays.
Whether you want to participate individually or as a group, there is someone who can use your help.
Below is a list of local agencies and special initiatives that will help you to connect with those in need during the holiday season.
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Metro at (609) 258-5144 or send e-mail to emetro@princeton.edu.
In addition to the office of Community and Regional Affairs partners with various departments to coordinate these events during the holiday season: Holiday Food Drive, Grateful Greetings, A Cappella Jam, and Holiday Hoops.
| Organization | Description | Needed Items | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm in Arm (formerly the Crisis Ministry) | Arm In Arm partners with 1,000 to 2,000 families and individuals each month to help them regain stability in housing, food security, and work. Located at three service sites in Trenton and Princeton, Arm In Arm offers direct aid and resources for Homelessness Prevention, Hunger Prevention & Nutrition Education, and Workforce Development. |
Welcome Home Packages: New cleaning supplies, kitchen staples, and bedding and bath essentials. Personal care items:toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoos, conditioners, razors, shaving creams, soaps, lotions, feminine products, diapers and wipes, and laundry detergent. Other gift ideas: non-perishable food (especially canned low or no-sugar-added fruits and low sodium vegetables) |
Drop off holiday items Monday–Thursday, 1:30–4 p.m. at the Arm in Arm office which is located in the basement of Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau St. (behind Richardson Auditorium). Contact Arm in Arm to arrange drop-off other than times listed above. Contact Becca Jensen Compton at (609) 396-9355 x35 or beccaj@arminarm.org |
| HomeFront | HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Mercer County by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community. |
Most needed items: personal care and hygiene, items; diapers (large sizes, (3-5) Other gift ideas: socks and undergarments for children ages 2 - 14; new or gently used coats; receiving blankets; sleepers size 0 to 12 months; diapers of all sizes; cooking utensils; pots, pans; dishes; cups; flatware; bed linens; pillows; blankets; mattress covers (twin and double sizes); towels; plus anything that makes a house a home.
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Drop off items at 1880 Princeton Avenue, Lawrenceville, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., or Tuesdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Volunteer: Thanksgiving Drive: Prepare and donate a Thanksgiving basket for a family in need. Help organize baskets and prepare for distribution. Christmas Wishes Drive: Help prepare gifts for distribution (December 4-23, weekdays) Contact Sydney Gecha at (609) 989-9417 x137 or SydneyG@homefrontnj.org |
| One Simple Wish | One Simple Wish was founded by a foster/adoptive parent who wanted to empower more people to support children who've been victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment in very simple yet meaningful ways. Fulfill a wish by browsing though the organization's online listing of wishes posted on behalf of foster children and at-risk youth all over the United States. | Needed items: gift cards from Target, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Applebee's, TGI Friday's, AMC Theatres, Regal/United Artists Theater, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. |
Gift cards can be mailed to: One Simple Wish Attn: Holiday Giving, 1977 Olden Avenue #292, Trenton, NJ 08618. Or delivered in person Monday-Friday during business hours to: One Simple Wish, 354 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. Volunteer: To find opportunities visit www.onesimplewish.org Contact One Simple Wish at (609) 883-8484 or info@onesimplewish.org |
| Princeton Human Services |
The Human Services Department volunteers have made hundreds of Princeton children’s holiday wishes come true by providing them with at least one gift. The department distributes hundreds of applications to low income families in Princeton. Children up to age 12 fill out a holiday wish list which include two gifts they would like for the holidays, which are not to exceed $75 dollars. |
Needed items: holiday gifts for children Please keep in mind these wishes are a true need and may be the only gift the child receives. |
Contact Princeton's Human Services Department at (609) 688-2055 or email dforero@princetonnj.gov, murias@princetonnj.gov or eneira@princetonnj.gov, no later than Friday, November 17.
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| Princeton Nursery School | Princeton Nursery School is a small, nonprofit childcare and preschool center providing low to moderate income working parents with affordable tuition rates for needed childcare services. |
Most needed items: art and crafts materials, building blocks, magna-tiles, puzzles, soft dolls, and toy cars, for boys and girls age 2 1/2 to 5 years old Other gift ideas: gift cards to local supermarkets, pharmacy, Target and Walmart |
Items can be dropped off at the Princeton Nursery School, 78 Leigh Avenue, Princeton no later than December 18. Volunteer: Be a classroom or office assistant. Volunteer one time or on a regular basis Contact Rosanda Wong at |
| Princeton Young Achievers |
The Princeton Young Achievers is Princeton’s only afterschool program that provides homework help to children from lower income neighborhoods. PYA operates after school enrichment for children grades K-5 |
Most needed items: Updated chapter books (Diary of a Wimpy Kid/Harry Potter) graphic novels, Pete the Cat, Fly Guy, Pokemon, Snap Circuits, ZOOB S.T.E.M. Challenge.
Other gift ideas: Large bean bags, Child friendly rugs, updated resources for K-5. |
Deliver items to the Princeton Family YMCA at 59 Paul Robeson Place. Items should be delivered by Monday, December 12 to insure delivery before the PYA center closes for winter vacation. The YMCA hours are Monday-Friday, 5:45 am-10:30 pm; Saturday, 7 am-8 pm; Sunday, 9 am-8 pm. Please label the items P.Y.A. attn. Trinidad Rodriguez. Volunteer: The Princeton Family YMCA and the PYA program welcomes volunteers. There are many different types of opportunities. Volunteer opportunities are listed on the YMCA website. Contact Trinidad Rodriguez at (609) 497-9622 x 216 or trodriguez@princetonymca.org |
| Rescue Mission of Trenton | The Rescue Mission operates an emergency shelter and provides addiction services and housing for those in need in Trenton. | Most needed items: hygiene kits for the men and women including toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo |
Items can be dropped off at 98 Carroll Street, P.O. Box 790, Trenton. Contact Niki Graham at (609) 695-1436 x 183 or nikisg@rmtrenton.org |
| SAVE | SAVE operates as a limited admission shelter with contracts to serve Princeton Township, Princeton Borough and Lawrence Township animal control centers. |
Most needed items: dog and cat treats, canned dog and cat food Other gift ideas: animal care items, food and treats, housekeeping and office supplies |
Items can be dropped off at 1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ, Tuesday-Saturday 12 pm-6 pm, Sunday-Monday 12 pm-4 pm. Volunteer: Dog walking, dog training, cat socialization cage cleaning, office help and adoption day help. All new volunteers must attend an orientation. More information is on the SAVE website. Contact Donielle Killian-Gioia at (609) 921-6122 or donielle@savehomelessanimals.org |
| Senior Care Services of New Jersey | The Senior Care Ministry of Princeton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting the elderly in our community. The organization’s services include health-related transportation, food shopping and friendly visiting. |
Needed items: gift cards to ShopRite, McCaffrey's, Rite Aid and CVS
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Mail gift cards to P.O. Box 1517, Princeton, NJ, 08542. To arrange a drop-off email info@seniorcareministry.org or call (609) 309-5214 Volunteer: Help is needed year round to help with grocery shopping, driving clients to medical appointments and or a friendly visit. Contact Mary Bliss at (609) 921-8888 or info@seniorcareministry.org |
| UIH Family Partners | UIH Family Partners, Trenton's oldest non-profit, was established as an orphanage in 1859 by leading Trenton families. UIH focuses on protecting children in families where one parent, frequently the father, does not live with their children. UIH serve more than 1,500 fathers a year, helping them love, mentor, and support their children. | Most needed items: toys, games, and clothing for ages 0 - 16 |
Call (609) 695-3663 to arrange pickup. |
| Womanspace |
Womanspace provides options and works to decrease the isolation and increase the safety for victims of domestic violence. They are a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for women in crisis. |
Most needed items: thermal long john sets for women, boys and girls all sizes. Underwear and socks for boys all sizes. Sneakers for women and girls and boys from infant to age 16. Other gift ideas: gifts cards, clothing for women and children, toys |
Drop off holiday donations between Dec. 3 and Dec. 19, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., 1530 Brunswick Ave., Lawrenceville. Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault teams. More information is on the Womanspace website. Contact Althea Jones at (609) 394-9000 or ajj@womanspace.org |
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YWCA Princeton “St Nicholas Project” |
Participants in The St. Nicholas Project are matched with a Princeton family and purchase gifts and a supermarket gift certificate for food. The Project allows parents to create the magic of Christmas for their children. Having a gift given to a child by a stranger (however well meaning) cannot compare to the feeling of waking up on Christmas Day to find that Santa came to their house. The magic of Christmas is an invaluable gift to these children and their parents. | Needed items: holiday gifts |
Email Jill Jachera to be matched with a family. Provide her with the following information: All items MUST be dropped off on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m.– 12 noon, at the Bramwell House of the YWCA on the corner of Rt. 206 and Paul Robeson Place. Contact Jill Jachera at jill.jachera@gmail.com |