Each holiday season, we invite you to join your colleagues at Princeton University employees 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.
The Office of Community and Regional Affairs partners with various departments to coordinate two events during the holiday season: Food and Toiletries Drive and Grateful Greetings.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Mercuro at [email protected] or (609) 258-5144.
Outreach Opportunities
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Arm in Arm
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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.
Holiday Wish List
Non-perishable food items (no glass containers):
- Maseca Corn Flour
- canned low-fructose fruit
- canned low-sodium vegetables
- canned tuna, salmon, chicken, or chili
- canned beans or 1 lb. bag dried beans
- cold and hot cereals
- shelf stable milk
- olive and canola oil
- herbs and spices
- honey
- Mac and cheese
- Rice
How
Drop off holiday items Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 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 the times listed above.
Volunteer: Arm in Arm needs volunteers to assist with its food pantries. On-site bag packing volunteers have no direct interaction with the general public, adhere to social distancing and mask requirements, and are limited to 4 people at a time. Contact Leticia Hernandez at [email protected]
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Cornerstone Community Kitchen
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Cornerstone Community Kitchen, located at 7 Vandeventer Ave., offers weekly free and nutritious meals in a friendly atmosphere. In addition to providing meals, Cornerstone Community Kitchen also has a free "clothing store".
Holiday Wish List
- Donate to CCK's holiday gift program which enables us to give a new gift item to all adult CCK dinner guests (regardless of town of residence), all children over the age of 12 (regardless of town of residence), and all children under the age of 12 who live outside of Princeton. In addition to our gift table for adults, we give each adult a gift card to a Princeton bakery or cafe, so that they can have a holiday experience in town and we can support our local businesses.
- Donate new bath mats, bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, new undergarments for men, women, and children, and cleaning supplies such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, and cleaning products.
- Consider making a monetary donation by writing a check payable to "CCK holiday gift program"
How
Donations can be dropped off at Cornerstone Community Kitchen, located at 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ, Monday through Friday during business hours. Contact Jeanette Timmons at [email protected] with any questions.
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HomeFront
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HomeFront’s mission is to end homelessness in Mercer County by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community.
Holiday Wish List
Each holiday season, individuals, churches and business "adopt" one or more children. HomeFront supplies the child's gender, age and a wishlist so that each child will have presents to open on Christmas Day. This past holiday season over 3,300 homeless or formerly homeless HomeFront Children had their special Christmas Wishes granted by an outpouring of community support.
How
To sponsor a child contact [email protected]. All gifts must be dropped off by December 9th.
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One Simple Wish
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One Simple Wish was founded by a foster/adoptive parent to empower everyone to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults impacted by foster care, trauma, and crisis. You can spread some love, hope, and joy online, anytime by granting a wish at onesimplewish.org. Wishes range from $10 - $500.
Holiday Wish List
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.
How
Gift cards can be mailed to: One Simple Wish Attn: Holiday Giving, 1977 Olden Avenue #292, Trenton, NJ 08618.
Contact: (609) 883-8484 or [email protected]
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Princeton Human Services
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The Human Services Department volunteers have made hundreds of Princeton children’s holiday wishes come true by providing them with at least one gift.
Holiday Wish List
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. Please keep in mind these wishes are a true need and may be the only gift the child receives.
How
Complete the Donor Sign-up Form to sponsor a child's wishlist no later than Friday, November 17, 2023. Contact Princeton's Human Services Department at (609) 688-2055 or email [email protected] with any questions.
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Princeton Mobile Food Pantry
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Princeton Mobile Food Pantry (PMFP) provides deliveries of fresh, culturally relevant groceries, essentials, and support to Princeton Public School families.
Holiday Wish List
As winter is upon us, Princeton Mobile Food Pantry is reaching out for assistance in organizing a "Pantry Drive". Please let us know if you are able to run a Pantry Drive, where we would greatly appreciate the following items to support our neighbors here in Princeton (over 1500 individuals) who we deliver to:
- Canned tomatoes (pureed)
- Canned chicken and tuna
- Dry beans (black, kidney, or pinto)
- Dry pasta (spaghetti, elbows)
- White unbleached flour
- Masa harina (i.e. Maseca and Torti Masa - found at Lupita Market, Wegman's, ShopRite, used for tortillas, tamales, etc.)
- Spices/seasonings (achiote/annatto; bay leaves; black pepper; bouillon-Knorr caldo con sabor de Pollo; cinnamon - ground/sticks; cumin; salt)
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil
- White rice
- Monetary, or McCaffrey's gift card (please email [email protected] and attribute your monetary donation to this drive)
How
Drop off donations to the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry on December 15 between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm at 300 N. Harrison Street.
Contact Princeton Mobile Food Pantry at [email protected].
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Princeton Nursery School
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Princeton Nursery School is a small, nonprofit preschool center providing working families and students with exceptional early childhood education and supportive family services that are affordable for all. PNS is located just walking distance from campus in the historic Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood.
Holiday Wish List
PNS offers a year-round educational program, childcare services and a daily meal program to address hunger prevention. Due to the high need of families and students, PNS has very limited closures with the longest closure being a one-week holiday break between Christmas and New Year's Day.
This holiday season, PNS asks for support in providing continued hunger prevention assistance for students and their families during the holiday break by purchasing a grocery store gift card for families to use for healthy meals and groceries while school is closed.
How
If you would like to learn how to support a PNS family this holiday season, please email [email protected].
Contact Bianca Walkes at 609-921-8606 or [email protected]. -
Princeton Public Schools Winter Clothing Drive
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Princeton Public Schools will be collecting gently used items for distribution.
Holiday Wishlist:
- Children's clothing
- Men's/ladies clothing
- Winter coats
- Shoes & boots
- Bedding & blankets
- Hats
- Gloves & mittens.
How
Drop off donated items between Monday, November 13-Friday, November 17 at any public school in Princeton. Please separate boy's, girl's, men's and women's clothing in separate bags for safer sorting.
Volunteer to help sort clothes for distribution on Friday, November 17, 3-5:30pm at Community Park Elementary School.
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Princeton Young Achievers
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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.
Holiday Wish List
PYA asked their students to create wish lists of 2-3 gifts under $20 through their Giving Tree Project.
How
Starting November 15, stop by the front desk Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm to collect an assigned gift, or call the office at 609-497-9622. The gifts can be dropped off during the days and hours previously listed, before December 15.
Princeton YMCA is located at:
59 Paul Robeson Place
Princeton, NJ 08540Contact Matt Boyd at [email protected] or 609-497-9622 with any questions.
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Rescue Mission of Trenton
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The Rescue Mission operates an emergency shelter and provides addiction services and housing for those in need in Trenton.
Holiday Wish List
- Hygiene kits for men and women including: Chapstick, razor, shaving cream, small first aid kit, thermal socks, mints/gum, hand lotion, water bottle, comb, liquid soap or bars of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deoderant and shampoo. Please place items in a 1 gallon zip lock bag for distribution and safe keeping.
- Non-perishable food items such as: Applesauce, canned beans, canned chicken, canned fish (tuna and salmon), canned meat (SPAM and ham), canned vegetables, cooking oils (olive and canola), crackers, dried herbs and spices, fruit (canned or fried), granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, meals in a box, nuts, pasta, peanut butter, rice, shelf-stable and powdered milk, whole grain cereal, soup, stew, and chili.
- Clothing of all sizes and all types, but specifically: cold weather apparel, coats, jackets, boots, shoes, business suits/professional attire, undergarments, pajamas, belts, socks, bedding, and small household items. New and gently used clothing items and shoes are accepted.
How
Items can be dropped off at 98 Carroll Street, P.O. Box 790, Trenton.
Contact Andre Berthier at (609) 695-1436 x115 or [email protected]
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SAVE
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SAVE operates as a limited admission shelter with contracts to serve Princeton Township, Princeton Borough and Lawrence Township animal control centers.
Holiday Wish List
New or gently used toys, canned food for cats and dogs (no dry food, linens, towels, comforters, crates or carriers).
How
Items can be dropped off and left on the benches at 1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ during the following times:
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm Sunday/Monday 10 am-4 pmVolunteer: Contact the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] and complete an online application.
Contact Jill Van Tuyl at (609) 309-5214 ext. 202 or [email protected] -
Senior Care Services of Greater Princeton
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Senior Care Services of Greater Princeton is a nonprofit organization located in Princeton dedicated to assisting the home-bound elderly in our community. The organization’s services include health-related transportation, food shopping and friendly visiting.
Holiday Wish List
Gift cards to ShopRite, McCaffrey's in denominations of $10 or $20.
How
Mail gift cards to:
P.O. Box 1517
Princeton, NJ, 08542Volunteer: Help is needed year round to help with grocery shopping, driving clients to medical appointments and friendly visits. Volunteer opportunities are very flexible.
Contact Adriana Morabito at (609) 921-8888 or [email protected]
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The Children's Home Society
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The Children's Home Society is a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk infants, youth, and families achieve their potential. They protect abused or neglected infants and children, strengthen families, and strive for stable, permanent, and loving homes for every child.
Holiday Wish List
- Donate New Coats: This year, we are specifically seeking new coats to ensure the highest quality and durability. Our online wish list at YouGiveGoods makes it easy to select the perfect, affordable coat.
- Adopt-a-Child Toy Drive: Please email [email protected] or [email protected] to learn how easy and fun it is to shop for children to make their wishes come true!
- Donate Gift Cards: Gift cards in any amount to Shop-Rite, Aldi, FoodBazaar, Walmart, Target, Lyft and Uber will help prevent food insecure families from going to bed hungry.
How
All items can be dropped off at the main office located at 635 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, during routine business hours. Donations for new coats can by made online by clicking here.
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The Father Center of New Jersey (formerly UIH Family Partners)
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The Father Center, Trenton's oldest non-profit, was established as an orphanage in 1859 by leading Trenton families. TFC focuses on protecting children in families where one parent, frequently the father, does not live with their children. TFC serves more than 1,500 fathers a year, helping them love, mentor, and support their children.
Holiday Wish List
Outdoor work/heavy clothing for men. All size large or XL:
• workboots (size 9-13)
• Dickies shirts and pants
• socks, gloves, and hats
• thermal underwear
• coats
• Work bags (duffle bags)
• Belts
Other gift ideas: Hand and footwarmers, travel coffee cups, toiletriesHow
The Father Center is located at:
1 West State Street, Fl 5
Trenton, NJ 08608Contact Dawn Smith at 609-695-3663 ext. 1010 or [email protected]
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Womanspace
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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.
Holiday Wish List
How
Drop off holiday donations:
Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-11:30 am and 1:30 pm-3:00 pm.
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 [email protected]
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YWCA Princeton “St. Nicholas Project”
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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. Thank you for keeping the magic alive!
Holiday Wish List
Email Jill Jachera to be matched with a family. Provide her with the following information:
1) Your current contact information (name, email, and phone)
2) Size of family you wish to be matched with (small, medium, large)
3) Gender preference of children, if you have oneIf you do not wish to adopt an entire family, but still want to participate, you can donate books, pajamas, hats, gloves, or even money to cover tuition. All items will be distributed to St. Nicholas families.
How
All items must be dropped off by December 15, 2023, between 8 a.m.-12 noon, in the YWCA All Purpose Room on the corner of Rt. 206 and Paul Robeson Place.
59 Paul Robeson Place
Princeton, NJ, 08540Contact Jill Jachera for program guidelines and family assignments at [email protected]