Stop & Shop and Boys & Girls Club Host Food and Toy Drive-Up

The Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic teamed up with Stop & Shop to make the holiday brighter for local children in need. Due to COVID restrictions, the Boys & Girls Club’s annual Holiday Toy Drive and Good Cheer Dinner, which has been held for more than fifty years, turned into a drive-thru with Club families picking up food donated by Stop & Shop and toys compliments of Santa. The event took place at the Paterson Club located at 264 21st Avenue in Paterson.

Stop & Shop’s donation included 250 bags of fresh holiday produce, apples, potatoes, carrots and oranges. Stop & Shop also provided fifty- $100 gift cards to the families with the greatest need so they can enjoy a holiday meal.

As a leader in youth services and a pillar of the Paterson and Passaic communities for nearly 60 years, the Boys & Girls Club focuses on academics, healthy habits, and social-emotional learning.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club continues to adapt to the needs in the community and both Paterson and Passaic Clubhouses are open for a full day of programming as schools remain closed. The Boys & Girls Club currently provides a haven for children to learn virtually, provide breakfast and lunch, offer supplemental education to combat learning loss and keep their minds and bodies strong.