Participate in a Donation Drive

July-August: BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE

It is important from day one that children feel confident and prepared for school. 

Products Collected:

• Sponsor a child or children, with specific backpack, age-appropriate supplies, and clothing, with information we provide.
• Collection of general school supplies, according to a list we can also provide.
• Gift cards so families (especially teens) can shop for their own items.

Late October-November: THANKSGIVING DRIVE

(Non-perishable food can also be collected year-round)

Every family should experience the joy of a home-cooked meal on Thanksgiving Day. 1 in 12 children in Mercer County is facing food insecurity, according to Children’s Advocates of New Jersey.

Products Collected:

• A basket of Thanksgiving food items, according to a list we can provide.
• Gift cards to area grocery stores so families can shop for needed fresh and frozen items.

Mid-November-December: HOLIDAY WISHES

Help bring holiday magic to local children impacted by poverty.

Products Collected:

• Sponsor a child or children with specific items on their wish lists, information we provide.
• Gift cards (especially for teens)

Year-round: NON-PERISHABLE FOOD

Access to nutritious meals is vital for all families’ success. 1 in 12 children in Mercer County is facing food insecurity, according to Children’s Advocates of New Jersey.

Products Collected: 

Non-perishable foods, such as canned veggies, proteins, grains, pasta (1 lb.), low-sugar cereal, dry and canned beans (15 oz. cans, 1 lb. bags) – black, kidney, great northern white.

Unopened packaged spices, such as salt, pepper, oregano, chili powder, red chili flakes, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme.

Year-round: DIAPERS AND BABY WIPES

Even outside of our seasonal Diaper Challenge, donations of diapers and baby wipes help families. 

Having a clean diaper is a basic need for every baby, every toddler, and their families, but one in two families in the US struggle to afford a sufficient supply of diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.

Products Collected: Diapers of all sizes (especially need sizes 4-6) and baby wipes. 

Year-round: HYGIENE SUPPLIES

Help families start off every day strong with hygiene supplies.

You can either:

1. Collect hygiene supplies and donate them to us in bulk, or 
2. For an added off-site volunteer opportunity, you can make hygiene kits with your collected supplies and donate those to us.

Year-round: PERIOD SUPPLIES

In the United States 2 in 5 menstruators struggle to purchase period products, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies. This can often lead to missing school or work.

You can either:

1. Collect period supplies and donate them to us in bulk, or 
2. For an added off-site volunteer opportunity, you can make packs with your collected supplies and donate those to us.

Year-round: SNACK BAGS

Provide snack bags to children and our Children’s Programs.

Pack up to 50 bags at a time.

Products collected:

• Individual snack pack (chips, Goldfish, Cheez Its, cookies, Pop Tarts, etc)
• Squeezable yogurt or fruit pouch
• Small bottled water
• Packed in brown paper bag or Ziplock bag

Year-round: WELCOME HOME BASKETS

Help families start off strong in their homes with cleaning supplies.

New products collected:

• Mop and bucket
• Microfiber towels
• All-purpose cleaning spray
• Floor cleaning solution
• Dish soap and sponges
• Toilet bowl brush and cleaner
• Laundry basket to pack the items in

Year-round: BATHROOM WELCOME SUPPLIES

Help families start off strong in their homes with bathroom supplies.

You can either:

1. Collect bathroom supplies and donate them to us in bulk, or 
2. For an added off-site volunteer opportunity, you can make kits with your collected supplies and donate those to us.

Year-round: KITCHEN SUPPLIES

Help families start off strong in their homes with kitchen supplies.

You can either:

1. Collect kitchen supplies and donate them to us in bulk, or 
2. For an added off-site volunteer opportunity, you can make kits with your collected supplies and donate those to us.

Year-round: NEW BABY BASKETS

Help babies and parents start off strong with needed supplies.

New products Collected:

• Hygiene: Baby wash, lotion, diaper rash cream, wipes, washcloth, infant towel, nail kit
• Feeding: Baby bottles, bottle brush, liquid detergent
• Clothes: Onesies (3-6 months), sleepers, receiving blanket, socks
• Other: Pacifier, baby book, teething toys, infant aspirator
• Optional: Baby thermometer