10 Ways to Give Back Around Verona and Cedar Grove This Holiday Season

By Wendy Ann Mitchell (Patch Staff) with additional reporting by Eric Kiefer

The shoppers are shopping, the halls and trees are decked with holly and the spirit of the holiday season is in the air. But for some, this time of year is not so happy due to financial strains, health or family issues. Here are some ways you can lend a helping hand and spread some holiday cheer to those who need it the most this time of year.

Top 10 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

1. Read or Sing to Seniors at an Assisted Living Facility

• Many of the seniors at the assisted living or health care facilities don’t get many visitors and love to have people come and spend time with them. Bring a book or a deck of cards and brighten someone’s day.
• See a list of assisted living facilities in Essex County here.

2. Donate Toys to the Pediatric Ward of Your Local Hospital

• Children who have to spend the holidays in the hospital due to health issues would love some new or gently used toys or books.
• See a list of hospitals in Essex County here.

3. Stock the Shelves of Your Local Food Pantry

• Food pantries need help during the holidays, but also throughout the entire year. Non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables and soups, pasta and cereal are needed, as well as items lower income families can’t afford such as diapers and formula. Call to see what your food pantry needs.
• See a list of food pantries in Essex County here.

4. Volunteer at a Local Soup Kitchen

• Sign up to help once a month or once a quarter at a food pantry. Bring your kids and/or teens to teach them the value and reward of giving back to those less fortunate.
• See a list of Essex County soup kitchens and food banks here.

5. Donate Winter Clothes to a Homeless Shelter

• Winter hats, gloves, thick socks, coats and warm blankets are needed to help the homeless stay warm. Many homeless shelters don’t have enough beds which forces some to sleep out on the streets.
• See a list of Essex County homeless shelters here.

6. Donate Gift Cards to the Social Services Department

• Little kids often get toys from donation programs such as Toys for Tots but there are lots of teenagers who need help as well and are often forgotten. By purchasing gift cards, social services can give the families a way to let the teens buy the clothes and electronics that they want.
• See a list of social services in Essex County here.

7. Bake Cookies for First Responders, Police and Firefighters Who Work on the Holiday

• What better way to give back to those who so selflessly serve the community than with a sweet treat?

8. Adopt-a-Family

• Call your town’s Social Services Department or a local church to see what your community’s specific needs are. This is all done anonymously and a great way to teach kids to give back.

9. Donate Clothing or Gift Cards to the Women’s Shelter

• Many of the women in these shelters have left home with only the clothes on their back to escape their abusers and need help to get back on their feet.

10. Help Foster Children

• Consider becoming a foster parent or volunteering your time or money to help youth and children in these programs.
• Click here to learn more about becoming a foster parent in New Jersey.

Do you have an idea on how to give back this holiday season in Essex County? Tell us in the comments section below.