Give Back this Holiday Season

Tabernacle United Methodist Church will be hosting Stop Hunger Now on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. in Michael Hall on the Tabernacle campus. Those involved in the event will help package meals to fight hunger. A $25 donation is requested to cover the cost of the food that will be packaged. Registrations and checks are needed by Nov. 16. Register at the church office, or send to: Tabernacle UMC, 702 Seashore Rd., Cape May, NJ 08204. Designate “Stop Hunger” on your check’s memo line.
The Coalition Against Rape and Abuse is currently looking for turkey donations to complete Thanksgiving dinners that are being provided to clients. Any size turkey will do. If you would like to donate, please contact Nikki Nichols or Linda Krail at (609) 522-6489. Donations are needed by Nov. 18.
Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Food Campaign to benefit the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, which provides Thanksgiving meals to those in our area who are less fortunate, now through Nov. 20. Donations can be dropped off at any of the Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union offices in Northfield, Galloway, Rio Grande or the William J. Hughes Technical Center (restricted access). Fresh and frozen turkeys and hams can be dropped off at the Northfield office lobby on Monday, Nov. 23 by 11:30 a.m.
The Avalon Lions, Avalon Free Public Library, Holy Redeemer Food Pantry and Avalon Acme Market will partner to help feed the needy this holiday season. The food drive runs through Nov. 24. Donations can be dropped off at Holy Redeemer Food Pantry, 1801 N. Route 9, Swainton, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (drop at front office; contact Marion Matticola at (609) 463-6062); or the Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St. Avalon, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (contact Norm Gluckman at (609) 967-7155).
The SOAR Church and NJ State Police Woodbine Barracks are accepting donations of gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, etc. for their 2nd annual coat giveaway. Donations can be dropped off at the station, 823 Franklin St., Woodbine, through Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Miracles Fitness in Rio Grande welcomes the community on Thanksgiving Day from 9 to 10 a.m. to join a Zumba class and/or Boot Camp for a $10 donation to benefit St. Mary’s, The Branches, which feeds the hungry every day. You do not have to be a member of Miracles Fitness to attend – all are welcome!
CompleteCare Medical & Dental Professionals in Wildwood is hosting their second annual “Operation Warm” Coat Drive to collect clean, gently-used coats for men, women and children in the area who are in need. Donations will be accepted now through Friday, Nov. 27 at 3700 New Jersey Ave. in Wildwood. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (609) 465-0258 x2450.
Frank Theatres is partnering with local food banks for a ThanksGIVING Week Canned Food Drive from Nov. 22 through Nov. 28. Their mission is to provide families in need with food for the holiday season. Drop off all non-perishable and canned foods at Frank Theatres Rio Stadium 12, 3801 Route 9, Rio Grande. Give three cans of food or non-perishable items and get a FREE medium popcorn!
Spreading The Love, a nonprofit volunteer organization in Rio Grande, is holding a clothing drive supporting the homeless of Cape May County. New or used items in need for both men and women will be collected through Nov. 30. Collection locations are OCHS Main Office, OCIS Main Office and Dr. Nanavati’s office at 2 Village Dr., Cape May Court House (ask for Yvonne). Look for the brown box labeled “SpreadingtheloveNJ.” For more information, contact Sue at (215) 514-6738 or jsmdm11@gmail.com. Spreading The Love offers warm food Monday through Thursday to those in homeless/near homeless situations in Cape May County. Volunteers are always welcome.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension, under the initiative of Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH!), is asking for canned food donations through November for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, which distributes food to Cape May County residents. Canned and packaged food can be dropped off at the RCE location from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 355 Court House-South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House.  For more information, call (609) 465-5115.
Sleepy’s Cape May will be participating in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by serving as designated drop off sites for the 2015 Toys for Tots toy drive. Bring any new, unwrapped toy throughout November and early December to Sleepy’s Cape May and Toys for Tots will provide a new toy at Christmas to less fortunate youngsters in neighboring communities.
On Saturday, Dec. 5, Cape May County will hold its Annual Postal Food Drive. The rural and city letter carriers along with many other postal employees and volunteers from Post Offices throughout Cape May County will be collecting non-perishable foods to help fill our local food banks. Please leave any non-perishable foods by your mailbox and your mail carrier will pick it up. You can also drop off any food at your local Post Office. All the food collected stays in our local food banks.
The Avalon Free Public Library is collecting toys for Toys for Tots through Dec. 20. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the collection box in the library’s lobby, located at 235 32nd St. Avalon, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (contact Norm Gluckman at (609) 967-7155).
Socks for Seniors is a nonprofit community service project that organizes, collects and distributes NEW socks for seniors in communities all over the country. The project is currently looking for donations as well as hosts for a local drive. If you are interested in donating to Socks for Seniors or hosting a local drive, contact Jamie Coyne at (615) 787-SOCK(7625) or jamie@socksforseniors.com.
Be on the lookout for other local drives happening in the area!