Each Holiday season, 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: Food Drive, Grateful Greetings and Community Threads.
Organization |
Description |
Needed Items |
How |
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Arm in Arm (formerly the Crisis Ministry) Updated November 2020 |
Arm In Arm partners with low-income families and individuals each month to help them achieve 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 Hunger Prevention, Homelessness Prevention, and Workforce Development.
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Most Needed Items: Non-perishable food items (no glass containers):
To donate virtually visit Princeton University Holiday Food Drive 2020 Other gift ideas: Students in the All Kids Thrive program are in need of holiday gifts. View the wish list (pdf). Please notify Keating Johnson at keatingj@arminarm.org if you are purchasing a gift from the wish list. Deadline is December 10.
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Drop off items Monday through Thursday from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Arm In Arm is located in the basement of Nassau Presbyterian Church: 61 Nassau Street Volunteer: Arm in Arm needs volunteers to assist with its food pantries. On-site bag packing volunteers have have no direct interaction with the general public, adhere to social distancing and mask requirements, and are limited to 4 people at a time. Sign up here or contact Shariq Marshall at shariqm@arminarm.org Contact Shariq Marshall at (609) 396-9355 x21 or shariqm@arminarm.org |
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HomeFront Updated October 2020 |
HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Mercer County by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community.
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Most needed items: Sponsor a child through the Holiday Wishes Drive. Sponsors are asked to purchase two of the child's desired gifts in addition to new clothing and shoes.
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To sponsor a child contact Kelsey Espada at (609) 915-1035 or kelseye@homefrontnj.org. Drop off items November 30-December 14 from Monday- Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Homefront is located at: 1880 Princeton Avenue Donors can all 609-915-1035 when they arrive. Volunteer: 3-4 volunteers needed per shift to sort Holiday Drive donations. Contact Kelsey Espada at (609) 915-1035 or kelseye@homefrontnj.org |
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One Simple Wish Updated October 2020 |
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.
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Most Needed items: Visit onesimplewish.org to browse wishes from children or young adults impacted by the trauma of foster care, abuse and neglect. Wishes range from $15-$500. |
Volunteer: To find opportunities visit www.onesimplewish.org Contact One Simple Wish at (609) 883-8484 or info@onesimplewish.org |
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Princeton Human Services Updated October 2020 |
Through advocacy, leadership, and collaboration, the Department of Human Services helps to improve the quality of life of individuals in the Municipality of Princeton who are vulnerable, economically disadvantaged, or otherwise in need.
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Most Needed Items: Over 300 economically disadvantaged children in Princeton, up to the age of 12, will be filling out their holiday wish list for two gifts they need, or would like to receive, for the holidays, which are not to exceed $75 (total of both gifts). In addition to sponsoring a child, donors can also donate a gift card in the amount of $50-$75 for parents/families of the children being sponsored. |
To sign up visit: https://seam.ly/GdQJlzXf
The deadline to sign-up to be a donor is Friday, November 27, 2020. |
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Princeton Nursery School Updated November 2020 |
Princeton Nursery School is an educational preschool and child care facility for children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 years. Located at 78 Leigh Avenue , PNS is nestled in the heart of the John Witherspoon community of Princeton.
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Most Needed items:
Other gift ideas: children's personal hygiene items, non-perishable food. |
Drop off gifts Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. Princeton Nursery School is located at: 78 Leigh Avenue Items can be left on the front steps (near the front door) for a contactless delivery. Contact Rosanda Wong at (609) 921-8606 or pnskids@gmail.com. |
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Princeton Young Achievers Updated November 2020 |
The Princeton Young Achievers is Princeton’s only afterschool program that provides homework/enrichment help to children from lower income neighborhoods. PYA operates after school for children grades K-5. |
Most Needed items: PYA asked their students to create wish lists of 2-3 gifts under $20. View the wish lists (pdf). Contact Zoe at zoe@princetonymca.org with the student name you are purchasing gift(s) for. |
Drop off donations to the front desk Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm by December 5. Princeton Family YMCA is located at: 59 Paul Robeson Place Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to organize and wrap gifts. Contact Zoe D'Eugenio-Pinel at zoe@princetonymca.org. Contact Zoe D'Eugenio-Pinel at (609) 497-9622 or zoe@princetonymca.org. |
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Rescue Mission of Trenton Updated November 2020 |
The Rescue Mission operates an emergency shelter and provides addiction services and housing for those in need in Trenton.
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Most Needed items:
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Items can be dropped off at the Rescue Mission care of Nikki Graham: 98 Carroll Street Call (609) 695-1436 x128 to have someone meet you at the door when delivering donations. Contact Niki Graham at (609) 695-1436 x 129 or nikisg@rmtrenton.org |
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SAVE Updated October 2020 |
SAVE has been rescuing and sheltering abandoned, abused, and homeless dogs and cats in the greater Princeton area since 1941. SAVE provides life-saving medical treatment, food and training to hundreds of animals every year.
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Most Needed items:
Other gift ideas: animal care items, food and treats, and housekeeping supplier |
Drop off donations on the bench outside during office hours Tuesday-Saturday between 12 pm-6 pm and Sunday between 12 pm-4 pm. SAVE is located at: 1010 Route 601 Volunteer: Kitten fosters. More information is on the SAVE website. Contact Jill Van Tuyl at (609) 309-5214 or jill@savehomelessanimals.org |
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Senior Care Services of Greater Princeton Updated October 2020 |
Assists the home-bound elderly in our community by providing transportation to medical appointments, food shopping and friendly visits.
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Most Needed items: gift cards to ShopRite and McCaffrey's in denominations of $10 or $20
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Mail gift cards to Senior Care Services by December 4: Senior Care Services of Greater Princeton Volunteer: Help is needed year round to help with grocery shopping, driving clients to medical appointments and friendly visits. Volunteer opportunities are very flexible. Contact Clare Michel Smith at (609) 921-8888 or info@seniorcareservicesgp.org |
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The Father Center (formerly UIH Family Partners) Updated October 2020 |
The Father Project, Trenton's oldest non-profit, was established as an orphanage in 1859 by leading Trenton families. TFP focuses on protecting children in families where one parent, frequently the father, does not live with their children. TFP serves more than 1,500 fathers a year, helping them love, mentor, and support their children.
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Most Needed items: Outdoor work/heavy clothing for men. All size large or XL:
Other gift ideas: Hand and footwarmers, travel coffee cups, toiletries |
Drop-off donations by December 15. The Father Project is located at: One West State Street Contact Denise Cavalier at 609-695-3663 ext. 1007 or |
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Womanspace Updated October 2020 |
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: New items for women:
New items for girls:
New items for boys and girls:
Other gift ideas: gifts cards to Target, Wal-Mart, grocery stores, and clothing stores |
Drop off holiday donations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm by December 14. Womanspace is located at: 1530 Brunswick Avenue Donors can call 609-394-0136 to have someone meet them at the door if they're not comfortable going into the building. 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” Updated November 2020 |
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.
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Most Needed items: Gift cards to McCaffery and Target. Suggested donation of $100 for McCaffery and $300 for Target, but all donations are appreciated.
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Drop off gift card donations Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm or mail to the attention of Cassandra Mendoza by December 11. YWCA is located at: 59 Paul Robeson Place Contact Jill Jachera at jill.jachera@gmail.com |