Needs From: Volunteer NJ!

2026 Foodstock

Even before any disaster or crisis hits, food security can be a significant issue for ALICE®  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and those in poverty. ALICE was already navigating life without a safety net and was one crisis away from financial despair. The government shutdown and suspension of SNAP (food assistance) benefits is that crisis, creating a significant increase in food insecurity while pantries are already at capacity and experiencing shortages.

In response to this impact of the SNAP emergency, United Way is taking action and encouraging people and groups to collect needed items for local food banks/pantries. While Foodstock is a year-round project, we are strongly promoting its expansion during this critical timeframe, given the critical need right now.  This will help ensure ALICE and poverty-level households have enough food while the SNAP program is on hold. 

How to Help

Please sign up to support local food banks/pantries by running a collection drive or contributing food to YOUR local pantry. 

To sign up, respond as an individual or as a team using the buttons to your right. Submit your name and email address—all other requested information is optional—and that’s it!

Once you’ve registered, please check out food pantry information and the types of foods most needed right now in the following counties:

Somerset County: Somerset County Emergency Food Box Needs     (Food Assistance | Somerset County)

Morris County:  Donate Food - Interfaith Food Pantry Network

Sussex County:    food-pantry-update.pdf

Warren County:  Food Bank

Essex County:  Essex-County-Food-Pantries-pdf.pdf

You can also check out the Foodstock flyer, which contains all you need to get started such as a list of participating pantries in our five-county region, needed pantry items, and ideas for getting others involved in this effort.

Please make sure to connect directly with the local food pantry you plan to deliver your food donations to in advance of going there.  Also, please consider making a financial donation to your local pantry to support their efforts to help your neighbors in need.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of struggling families, children, seniors and those with disabilities in need of food throughout northern New Jersey! 

Once you’ve registered, please check out the Foodstock flyer, which contains all you need to get started such as a list of participating pantries in our five-county region, needed pantry items, and ideas for getting others involved in this effort.

Please make sure to connect directly with the local food pantry you plan to deliver your food donations to in advance of going there.  Many have implemented safety protocols that you will need to understand before going there.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of struggling northern New Jersey residents!

The Closter Nature Center is seeking a skilled and passionate volunteer to lead the implementation of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for our 136-acre preserve. This is a high-impact role that will create a foundational resource for our conservation efforts, ecological data collection, and property management.

The selected volunteer will guide the organization in transitioning from initial concepts to a fully functional mapping system that tracks woodland health, identifies notable features, and protects our vital water resources.  Much of this work can be conducted remotely, but on-site visits for data collection and in-person meetings must be possible for the successful volunteer.

System Design & Setup: Lead the setup of a GIS platform and procedures for system maintenance (The Center currently holds an ArcGIS license but is open to alternative software recommendations).

Ecological Mapping: Develop layers to map forest species, identify invasive growth patterns, and track the progress of ongoing conservation initiatives.

Asset & Resource Management: Denote property boundaries, notable physical features, and critical water resources within the preserve.

Program Oversight: Manage the initial startup phase of the program and establish protocols for long-term data collection.

Training: Provide basic guidance and training to Nature Center volunteers and staff on how to utilize the mapping tools for field data entry and viewing.

Proven experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar mapping systems).

Understanding of data management and spatial analysis.

Interest in ecology, forestry, or environmental conservation.

Ability to work independently and lead a project from the implementation phase.

Strong communication skills to explain technical tools to non-technical volunteers.

Your work will directly contribute to the "woodland health" of the preserve. By visualizing our ecological data, you will help our team make informed decisions about species protection, resource management, and the overall health of our 136-acre forest for generations to come.

If you are interested in using your technical skills to protect local nature, please reach out to Tom Golodik (click here for email) with a brief summary of your GIS experience and why you’d like to support the Closter Nature Center.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Self-Certifiers:

Volunteers will complete certification on their own. Volunteers will receive a check-in call, text or email periodically.

Please register here if unable to attend In-Person training and will commit to use the Online Resources to complete your certifications. Various Online links are below for your convenience. Feel free to contact us for any guidance.

VITA/TCE Central Page: https://www.linklearncertification.com/d/   

Proceed to the Subject dropdown area to select your tests.

The first test would be your VSOC, Volunteer Standards of Conduct.

The second test would be your Intake Interview & Quality Review.

The third would be your Certification level (Basic or Advanced).

Note well. Volunteers can go directly to the Advanced level. There is no need to do the Basic level first. You will have 2 chances to pass each test. The passing score is 80%. If you did not succeed on the first try, please reach out to us before making your 2nd attempt.

We would like you to have your certifications ready for us by January 24, 2026. 

The tests questions are exactly the same you will see Online at the Testing site as in the blue Test booklet 6744.

Study guide/s: Please use these.

Basic: Study Guide BASIC TY2025 in 2026.pdf - Google Drive

Advanced: Study Guide Advanced TY2025 in 2026.pdf - Google Drive

Practice Lab returns outcomes: Tax Year 2025 Scenarios results for the Practice Lab returns.

                                                ___________________________________

2025 Tax Year: Online Resources

                                                ______________________________________________

VITA/TCE Central Page: https://www.linklearncertification.com/d/     

OR Google search for “Link Learn”   

PRACTICE LAB

Create/Set up (New Volunteers), or Access an existing account (Prior VITA Volunteers) in Practice Lab for tax return practice: https://vita.taxslayerpro.com/IRSTraining/en/Account/Access:

Practice Lab is located under the Quick Links

·         Password: TRAINPROWEB (case sensitive) Generic Password Access for all volunteers

·         Program: VITA.

·         SIDN (leave blank)

·         Proceed to set up your account. (write these down)

              ___________________________________________

https://www.vitaresources.net/

                                                                                            ____________________________________________

Best,
Charmaine Rodriguez | VP Financial Stability | United Way of Central Jersey

32 Ford Avenue, Milltown, NJ  08850 | Tel: 732-247-3727 Ext 216

www.uwcj.org Email: crodriguez@uwcj.org

Are you passionate about local ecology and hands-on conservation? The Closter Nature Center (CNC) is looking for dedicated volunteers to join our Natural Resources Committee, the team responsible for the preservation of CNC’s 136-acre forested wetland reserve.

This is a unique opportunity to transition from an enthusiast to a steward. As a committee member, you won't just be talking about conservation; you’ll be leading it.

How you’ll make a difference:

Strategize: Help guide our multi-year Reforestation Initiative and develop resilient ecosystem methodologies.

Lead: Organize volunteer workdays and oversee invasive species management.

Maintain: Ensure our 3-mile trail system remains a safe, beautiful resource for the community.

Collaborate: Work alongside staff, contractors, and fellow conservationists to execute high-impact projects.

Who we’re looking for: We are seeking local community members with a background or deep interest in environmental science and conservation. If you are ready to commit to regular strategy meetings and enjoy "boots-on-the-ground" field work, we would love to meet you.

Requirements

Details

Location

Resident within 20 minutes of Closter Nature Center.

Availability

4–10 hours/month; includes regular committee meetings.

Term

At least one year of service for impact and continuity

Core Skills

Dependability, collaboration, and strategic thinking.

Specialties

Bonus: Environmental science, landscaping, or project management.

Help us protect the green space we all love. Join the Natural Resources Committee today.

Fill out the following form to register your interest!

United Way of Passaic County is expanding our Reading Buddies program, and we’re looking for passionate volunteers to join us in making a lasting impact!

Reading by 3rd grade is a critical milestone—but too many kids are falling behind. As a Reading Buddy, you’ll work one-on-one or in small groups with K–3rd grade students during the school day (Monday–Friday, 9AM–2PM), from October-June, helping them build skills, grow their confidence, and spark a love of reading that can change their future.

No teaching experience? No problem! We provide full training and support to set you up for success. All volunteers must complete a background check and fingerprinting prior to being matched with students.

Why Volunteer?

Make a real difference in a child’s life

Gain meaningful experience and give back to your community

Join a team of caring, committed changemakers

Ready to get started?

Contact Bethsaida Olds at bethsaida@unitedwaypassaic.org.

Together, we can help every child become a confident, capable reader.

Every year in New Jersey, 341,000 tons of prepared food goes to waste, while 994,800 New Jersey residents don’t have enough food to eat. Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to local nonprofits that support individuals in need.

About the opportunity: Share My Meals is looking for dedicated volunteers to pick up prepared meal donations from a corporate campus cafeteria on Thursdays at 2pm and deliver them to a shelter in Camden (~5 minute drive).

We are looking to build a community of volunteers who would be willing to support this route on a regular basis starting as soon as possible.  

In order to adhere to food safety guidelines, Share My Meals provides all necessary equipment (i.e. insulated bags) to transport food donations safely and requires volunteers to track pick-up and delivery route start and end times using our smart phone app.

Volunteer Requirements:

Be the leader who turns good intentions into meaningful action. Project Coordinators (PCs) are the backbone of Jersey Cares’ community-based volunteer initiatives. As a PC, you’ll serve as a volunteer leader and ambassador, guiding groups of volunteers through impactful service projects that strengthen New Jersey communities.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy leading people, organizing experiences, and making things happen—whether you’re building new skills or bringing leadership experience you already have.

As a PC, you will:

We’re looking for volunteer leaders who have:

Leadership experience is helpful—but not required.

We provide training and support every step of the way.

Time Commitment:

This role is flexible and designed to fit alongside work, school, or other commitments. Lead with Purpose.

Inspire Others. Create Impact. Project Coordinators provide the organization, leadership, and energy behind Jersey Cares’ service projects. Join a team of enthusiastic volunteer leaders and help turn community needs into meaningful action.

Hola Spanish/English speakers!!!  

Use your gift of language to provide compassionate support for local hospice patients and families. Samaritan needs bilingual Spanish/English volunteers to visit our Spanish-speaking patients. Visitors provide companionship and emotional support for the patients and their caregivers. They do not provide physical care. Visits generally occur once a week in the patient’s home or care facility. 

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization serving people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties. Our hospice provides services with warmth and dignity for people with a terminal illness. 

Check out this video about the hearts: https://youtu.be/uMxMMVrQwu0

Make as many as you like - once or ongoing. Service hours awarded for every hour you work. Supplies NOT provided.

***It is essential that they are made to the following specifications!***

SPECIFICATIONS

SUPPLIES:

Heart cutters available at these links:

Amazon.com:

Hobby Lobby: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Clay-Molding-Sculpting/Clay/Heart-Clay-Cutters/p/23108?gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQcmUgqRl9fFE8SkIFaXbOphfFllrkpdxAn81Tvx7i9iVBf-5bfMYs8aArHlEALw_wcB

Etsy.com:

Any amount is welcome either ongoing or one time. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Finished hearts may be delivered or mailed to Samaritan's administrative office:

Samaritan
Attn: Volunteer Dept.
3906 Church Rd.
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

Deliveries may be made Mon-Fri, 8:30a-4:30p.

Please include a note with your name and address so we can record your contribution and can send a thank you note.

Thank you so very much sharing your heart!

Start your 2026 off on a great note! What better way to fulfill your service hours than to participate in meaningful volunteer service. 

Teens support Samaritan's patients through independent projects, joining our teen volunteer group SamariTeens, helping as a greeter/receptionist at our Samaritan Center at Voorhees, and/or helping at Samaritan Thrift. Samaritan is a non-profit agency caring for those with serious illness to help them live their best lives every day. 

1. Independent projects are available to anyone who wants to gain service hours but not join a group. We have ideas from collection drives, to crafts, to fundraisers, etc. You work on your own time. We provide letters confirming contributions.

2. SamariTeens is a group for 14-18 year old high school students who want to volunteer on an on-going basis.

During the school year, we meet once a month, either after school or in the evening from 6-7:30pm. We make crafts for our patients and families to enjoy, visit assisted living communities to play games or make crafts with the residents, participate in fundraisers, represent at volunteer fairs, and support annual events. No mandatory requirements, participate in as many activities that fit your schedule and that you'd enjoy.

3. Greeter/Reception for teens 17+ years old. Samaritan Center at Voorhees, 265 Rte 73 S, Voorhees. Answer phones, greet & escort visitors to the Center. Shifts available 7 days/week - 9a-12p, 12-3, 3-6, & 6-8. Complimentary training provided, medical clearance required, including COVID Vaccination and Initial Booster

4. Samaritan Thrift for teens 17+ years old in our Westmont store open Tues-Fri, 11a-3p and Sat, 11a-5p. Help with sorting, tagging and organizing merchandise, maintaining store cleanliness, etc.

All activities count as community service! 

We hope you'll join us!

Start your 2026 off on a great note! What better way to do that than to open your heart to a local hospice patient. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start your 2026 off on a great note! What better way to do that than to open your heart to a local hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off on a great note! What better way to do that than to open your heart to a hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start your 2026 off on a great note. What better way to do that than to open your heart to a local hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off on a great note. What better way to do that than to make a difference in the life hospice patient. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off on a great note! What better way to do that than to open your heart to a hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off on a great note. What better way to do that than to open your heart to a hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Make 2026 your year of giving back! What better way to do that than by opening your heart to a hospice patient and their family. No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start your year off on a high note. Open your heart and make a difference in the life of a local hospice patient. We need you! No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start your new year off on a high note! What better way to fulfill your service hours than to open your heart and support Samaritan patients and their families.

Teens support Samaritan's patients through independent projects, joining our teen volunteer group SamariTeens, helping as a greeter/receptionist at our Samaritan Center at Voorhees, and/or helping at Samaritan Thrift. Samaritan is a non-profit agency caring for those with serious illness to help them live their best lives every day.

1. Independent projects are available to anyone who wants to gain service hours but not join a group. We have ideas from collection drives, to crafts, to fundraisers, etc. You work on your own time. We provide letters confirming contributions.

2. SamariTeens is a group for 14-18 year old high school students who want to volunteer on an on-going basis.

During the school year, we meet once a month, either after school or in the evening from 6-7:30pm. We make crafts for our patients and families to enjoy, visit assisted living communities to play games or make crafts with the residents, participate in fundraisers, represent at volunteer fairs, and support annual events. No mandatory requirements, participate in as many activities that fit your schedule and that you'd enjoy.

3. Greeter/Reception for teens 17+ years old. Samaritan Center at Voorhees, 265 Rte 73 S, Voorhees. Answer phones, greet & escort visitors to the Center. Shifts available 7 days/week - 9a-12p, 12-3, 3-6, & 6-8. Complimentary training provided, medical clearance required, including COVID Vaccination and Initial Booster

4. Samaritan Thrift for teens 17+ years old in our Westmont store open Tues-Fri, 11a-3p and Sat, 11a-5p. Help with sorting, tagging and organizing merchandise, maintaining store cleanliness, etc.

All activities count as community service! 

We hope you'll join us!

Start your new year off on a high note. What better way than to support your fellow Veterans!

Visit with Samaritan's veteran patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local community throughout Camden County. Support our patients and their family caregivers through companionship, sharing military experiences, sharing stories, attending medal ceremonies, performing life review, reading, playing cards and games, acting as a friend or neighbor. 

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. No experience or healthcare background needed. Training is provided.

 Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Start your new year off on a high note. What better way then to open  your heart to a fellow Veteran.

Visit with Samaritan's veteran patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local community throughout Atlantic County. Support our patients and their family caregivers through companionship, sharing military experiences, sharing stories, attending medal ceremonies, performing life review, reading, playing cards and games, acting as a friend or neighbor. 

Volunteers make visits once a week for about 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided.

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Start your new year off on a high note. What better way than to support those who are grieving?

We are looking for caring people to make 10-15 Bereavement calls on a monthly basis from your own home to check in with those who have recently lost a loved one on hospice services with Samaritan.

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency caring for people suffering from serious, progressive illness and grief.

No computer skills required. No experience necessary.

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a non-judgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start your new year's off well. What better way than to open your heart to a fellow Veteran.

Visit with Samaritan's veteran patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local community throughout Burlington County. Support our patients and their family caregivers through companionship, sharing military experiences, sharing stories, attending medal ceremonies, performing life review, reading, playing cards and games, acting as a friend or neighbor. 

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. No experience or healthcare background needed. Training is provided.

 Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Start the new year off well by helping others. What better way than to open your heart to those who are grieving? We are looking for caring people to make 10-15 Bereavement calls on a monthly basis from your own home to check in with those who have recently lost a loved one on hospice services with Samaritan.

Samaritan is a nonprofit, non-sectarian agency caring for people suffering from serious, progressive illness and grief.

No computer skills required. No experience necessary!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a non-judgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off well by helping others. At Samaritan, no special skills are required; just open your heart and spend time supporting adults who know you care.

Do you enjoy chatting and socializing on the phone? Welcome to Samaritan's Friendly Caller program where you can have an important impact by making meaningful phone calls a few hours weekly to adults who are socially isolated.

Volunteer from your own home using a call hub to respect privacy and confidentiality. A one-hour Orientation and a one-time training is provided and available virtually. Must be 18+ years old.

Samaritan abides by the National Hospice & Palliative Care guideline that anyone who has experienced a significant loss of a loved one within the past 12 months, you must wait one year from the date of loss before volunteering.

Start 2026 off well by helping others. As a Veteran, you have a special compassion for your fellow veterans. Open your heart and make a difference. 

Visit with Samaritan's veteran patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local community throughout Gloucester County. Support our patients and their family caregivers through companionship, sharing military experiences, sharing stories, attending medal ceremonies, performing life review, reading, playing cards and games, acting as a friend or neighbor. 

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. No experience or healthcare background needed. Training is provided.

 Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Start your 2026 off well by giving to others. Open your heart to support our patients and their families.

Considering supporting the Samaritan Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mount Holly by greeting family members and visitors coming to see their loved ones, escorting as needed to patient rooms, answering/directing calls, and representing Samaritan.

The Unit is located inside Virtua Hospital Mount Holly. The In Patient Unit Volunteers shifts occur on the weekends. Saturday and Sunday Shifts are the same: 8am to 11am; 11am to 2pm, and 2pm to 5pm. Bring the following qualities to your work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Qualifications/Requirements: - Minimum Age: 17 - One-year commitment - Volunteer Orientation and Training - Some medical requirements including COVID Vaccination and one booster (or physician-signed medical declination). Here is the link to fill pout a volunteer application online: https://bttr.im/kj2e0

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off well by giving back to others. Now is a great time to use your special skills to make meaningful gifts to support our patients.

Our patients would benefit from:

Fidget Mats provide sensory and tactile stimulation for the restless hands of our Dementia patients. They offer exercise, increase focus, reduce anxiety, soothe and calm nerves, and provide comfort. Consider both men & women when choosing fabrics and accessories. **NO small objects such as buttons or beads that patients can pull off and potentially eat.**

Adult Food Protectors/Dining Scarves provide clothing protection during meals. We have sizing and instructions.

Lap Blankets provide comfort and warmth to our patients who are bed, chair, or wheelchair bound. Preferred Size: 30" x 40" 

Prayer Shawls provide spiritual comfort to our patients. Approximate size: 57-58"

You may deliver Mon-Fri, 8:30a-4:30p or mail to: Samaritan, 3906 Church Rd, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.

Thank you for your generosity!

Start 2026 off well by helping others. You can be the face of compassion at The Samaritan Center in Voorhees.

You can provide a welcoming presence to guests and our patients' families at our Inpatient Center at our front desk. You’ll greet and escort our patients’ families our to their loved ones’ rooms, answer and direct phone calls, and provide clerical support as needed. Shifts available 7 days/week, as follows: 8a-11a, 11a-2p, 2-5p.

We are looking for you if you have good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency caring for people with serious, progressive illness and grief throughout Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, and Mercer counties.

Email Address Required as we use an online program to schedule shifts. Excellent Phone Skills, Customer Service, and Clerical Skills desired. Complimentary training is provided. Medical Clearance Required.

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Start your 2026 off well by helping others. At Samaritan, no experience required; just open your heart and support our patients and families.

Volunteers assist with all the usual retail tasks - greeting customers, setting up merchandise displays, completing sales transactions, sorting donations, and maintaining store cleanliness and an inviting environment.

Flexible Scheduling. Teens 17+ years old may also volunteer. STORE HOURS ARE TUESDAY-FRIDAY (11a-3p) and SATURDAY (11a-5p).

Must have good customer service and people skills.  Complimentary training provided.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait six months from the date of loss to begin the volunteer process for working in the thrift shop.

Start 2026 off by helping others. Open your heart and make a difference in the life of a local hospice patient. We need you! No special skills required; just you desire to make a compassionate connection.

Visit with Samaritan's patients and families in their homes or in long-term care facilities in your local communities. Provide a comforting presence, companionship, read, play cards and games, share stories, share military experiences, act as a friend or neighbor. Veterans needed to visit fellow Veterans.

Volunteers visit once a week for 2-4 hours and do not provide any hands-on care. Must be at least 18 years old. No experience or healthcare background needed. Complimentary training is provided. 

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Start 2026 off by giving back.  Open your heart and support patients and their families.

We welcome you to work on independent projects to help you earn service hours, keep you busy and engaged, and contribute to a good cause, all at the same time! You can do this from anywhere.

Samaritan is a not-for-profit agency based in Mount Laurel, NJ helping people with serious illness live their best live every day. Your projects are delivered to our patients and their families to help brighten their day!

Choose one or multiple projects and work at your leisure. Projects may be mailed or delivered to: Samaritan, Attn: Kirsten Spatzier, 3906 Church Rd., Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. Deliver Mon-Fri, 8:30a-4:30p.

“Cheer Up” Project Ideas

There are no mandatory requirements - make as many or as few of those projects you’d enjoy.

Thank you and I can't wait to hear from you!

Start 2026 off by helping others. Open your heart and support our families in need.

We are looking for caring people to make 10-15 Bereavement calls on a monthly basis from your own home to check in with those who have recently lost a loved one on hospice services with Samaritan.

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian agency caring for people suffering from serious and terminal illnesses and grief.

No computer skills required. No experience necessary!

Please note: All who have experienced the loss of a significant family member or friend must wait one year from date of loss to begin the volunteer process.

Qualifications/Requirements:

We ask that all volunteers bring the following qualities to their work at Samaritan: good communication and listening skills, a non-judgmental attitude, reliability, flexibility, and compassion.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with Samaritan and we look forward to hearing from you!

Due to overwhelming demand from our partner agencies, Jersey Cares established the First Night Kit Program. Throughout the year, Jersey Cares manages projects in which volunteers assemble kits for domestic violence shelters, transitional housing facilities, runaway safe havens, foster homes and other agencies with transitional populations in need of hygiene items on the "first night" of their stay. As soon as items are received they are distributed to participating agencies.

As a collection site, you will have the opportunity to assist displaced families in New Jersey by providing them with essential toiletry items needed for their first night stay at a shelter or transitional home. If you are an individual or group looking to donate to the First Night Kit Program, please click HERE to register as a collection site.

Items ACCEPTED for First Night Kits include:

Items NOT ACCEPTED for First Night Kits include:

Prior to delivery, please either package one of each item into a gallon-size Ziploc bag or sort collected items by kind (i.e. shampoo, conditioner, brushes, underwear) into a box.

Donations may be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Please call our office at (973) 533-1993 and press option 2 upon arrival to be directed to our loading dock for delivery assistance.

If you would like to ship your donations, please mail them to the address listed above.

This is an ongoing initiative, there is no deadline for collected items.

Want to donate, but can't make it to the store?

Donate items via YouGiveGoods to have items sent directly to us!

You can also run your very own First Night Kit collection drive online for free!

To set up your online collection page, please click HERE and click "Join Now" to begin customizing.

Corporate partners can click HERE to see the benefits of creating a drive with YouGiveGoods.

**Please be advised that only registered 501c3 organizations, government agencies, or public schools from New Jersey will be considered for donations**

If you are an agency in need of First Night Kits, please click HERE to fill out the agency application form. First Night Kit donations become available periodically and organizations will be contacted in the order requests were received. Thank you for your patience!

Questions? Please call us at 973-533-1993 or email us at volunteerprograms@jerseycares.org.

The Jersey Cares Diaper Drive was created in response to the huge deficit between the supply and demand of many critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to lack of essential resources, such as diapers, many families are left unable to provide for their children. Our community partners were struggling to meet the growing requests for diapers during this difficult time. After working with our partners, Jersey Cares realized that the need to provide diapers to families who do not have access to them is constant and was only heightened by the pandemic. Jersey Cares is proud to add the Diaper Drive as a permanent addition to our on-going collection drives.

As a collection site, you will have the opportunity to assist caregivers and new mothers in New Jersey by providing them with diapers for their loved ones. If you are an individual or group looking to donate to the Diaper Drive Program, please click HERE to register as a collection site.

Items ACCEPTED for Diaper Drive include:

Items NOT for Diaper Drive include:

If you would like to mail us your donations, please send them to the address listed above.

This is an ongoing initiative, there is no deadline for collected items.

Want to donate, but can't make it to the store?

Donate items via YouGiveGoods to have items sent directly to us!

You can also run your very own Diaper Drive online for free!

To set up your online collection page, please click HERE and click "Join Now" to begin customizing.

Corporate partners can click HERE to see the benefits of creating a drive with YouGiveGoods.

**Please be advised that only registered 501c3 organizations, government agencies, or public schools from New Jersey will be considered for donations**

If you are an agency in need of diapers, please click HERE to fill out the agency request form. Diaper Drive donations become available periodically and organizations will be contacted in the order requests were received. Thank you for your patience!

Questions? Please call us at 973-533-1993 or email us at volunteerprograms@jerseycares.org.

When an animal arrives at a shelter, it has been found as a stray, surrendered or abandoned by its owner, or rescued from a puppy mill. These cats or dogs have no home or owner to love them. Generous Jersey Cares volunteers help ease the pain of this difficult transition by providing comfort to our four legged friends, and the shelters which provide a safe haven. Jersey Cares has established the Animal Shelter Helpers program to provide no-kill rescue shelters in need of items for animals during their stay prior to a permanent adoption. As soon as items are received they are distributed to participating agencies. This is an ongoing initiative - there is no deadline for collected items.

As a collection site, you will have the opportunity to provide no-kill rescue shelters with vital items for displaced animals during their stay prior to adoption. If you are an individual or group looking to donate to Animal Shelter Helpers, please click HERE to register as a collection site.

**Please do not donate open food items of any kind. Please see our list below for more information on accepted items**

Items accepted for Animal Shelter Helpers Program:

Donations may be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Please call our office at (973) 533-1993 and press option 2 upon arrival to be directed to our loading dock for delivery assistance.

If you would like to mail us your donations, please send them to the address listed above.

This is an ongoing initiative, there is no deadline for collected items.

Want to donate, but can't make it to the store?

Visit our Amazon Wish List to have items sent directly to us!

**Please be advised that only no-kill shelters as defined by Maddie's Fund and registered 501c3 organizations in New Jersey will be considered for donations.**

If you are an organization interested in receiving Animal Shelter items, please click HERE to fill out the agency application form. Animal Shelter Helper donations become available periodically and organizations will be contacted in the order requests were received. Thank you for your patience!

Questions? Please call us at 973-533-1993 or email us at volunteerprograms@jerseycares.org.

When you help an adult, you help her or his entire family. At Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, we have a long list of U.S. citizens and immigrants, among them refugees and asylum seekers, waiting for help in learning to speak, understand, read, and write in English. We need volunteers to teach them. Here's how you can help: Learn to teach ESOL and Basic Literacy with LVA. After training, you will be matched with a small group of students (three to five) and tutor them for at least two hours each week via distance learning.

Become a volunteer literacy tutor by registering for our 10-hour (five days of two hours each) virtual tutor training course. This opportunity is only for local residents of Essex and Passaic Counties or others than can meet in-person in these counties.

This is a great opportunity to get involved and help your community!

Make a Difference in Your Community—Right from Home!

Are you passionate about your local community and want to help others discover how to give back? We're looking for seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us update and enrich local pages on Ways to Connect, our national directory of volunteer sites.

Ways to Connect is a crowdsourced platform designed to boost traffic and engagement to local volunteer websites—like this one! With just a bit of online research and your enthusiasm, you can help neighbors easily find volunteer opportunity platforms, service clubs, mutual aid groups, and more—making it simpler than ever for everyone to make an impact locally.

Volunteer contributors have already helped us identify 1,800+ volunteer resources across 330 communities in the US!

What You'll Do:

Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

Enhance your community's page on Ways to Connect by ensuring the information is current, accurate, and inviting for potential volunteers.

Optional: Promote your community’s page on social media to help friends and family find a path to service.

Why Volunteer with Inspiring Service?

Easy and flexible: Volunteer remotely at your convenience.

Immediate community impact: Help your neighbors discover meaningful ways to contribute.

Small commitment: Volunteer for as little as 2 hours, or as much as you'd like.

Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering more accessible for everyone.

We will reach out with additional information.

Our Faerie Trail Caretakers are special helpers that make our faerie trail kept looking nice and whimsical, and provide our visitors with a fun passive exhibit to enjoy.

We are seeking volunteers who are interested in helping care for our Faerie trail. Volunteers will be asked to use their artistic and craft skills to maintain this creative exhibit while making sure the fae folk are happy with their forest community. This can be a fun opportunity for families, teens, or adults young or old!

Training will be provided.

Are you retired and looking for ways to volunteer using your skills and life experience?

If so, Redefining Retirement is right for you! 

Join us for a virtual information session to learn about the types of volunteer opportunities available, both in-person and virtual. During this session, liaisons will offer insight into the nonprofit community, and explain how they will assist in finding the opportunity that is right for you. Register today to take your first step towards an enjoyable and meaningful volunteer role.

Email retirement@bergenvolunteers.org to find out when the next session is.

This session is fast paced to get participants started with using the online resources (guided) to complete their certification. This session is limited to only 14 volunteers.

Participants should not register if doing the required homework may be an issue. 

**For volunteers new to VITA - who have not attended a prior Tax Training Session in October, November or December 2025!

From the parking lot entrance, use the ramp to the left of the stairs ... take the elevator to the 2nd floor computer room.

Senior Trail Crew Volunteers Wanted (Ages 18+)
Closter Nature Center is looking for a few experienced, responsible volunteers (ages 18+) to join our Senior Trail Crew, a small, hands-on team that maintains trails, clears streams, responds to storm damage such as fallen trees, and works on our reforestation efforts.

This is not an entry-level opportunity. The term “senior” refers to individuals with the confidence, experience, and physical ability to take on labor-intensive outdoor work. Volunteers should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, using sound judgment and care.

Weekday availability is required. While there’s no fixed schedule, the crew meets for projects, usually once a week, during weekday hours and weather permitting. This is a great fit for retirees or anyone with a flexible weekday schedule.

Volunteers must be physically fit and able to commit to 2–3 hours of outdoor labor per session. Skills in trail work, landscaping, construction, or operating tools and small equipment are highly valued.

If you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in doing meaningful work, and have the experience to back it up—we’d love to hear from you!

Interested in Joining? Fill out an application at: NOW RECRUITING: Senior Trail Crew

Make an Impact for Nature and Community:
Join TNC’s Event Planning Team!

Are you passionate about nature and supporting a cause that promotes conservation, education, recreation, and community engagement? 

Tenafly Nature Center needs dedicated volunteers to join our Event Planning Committee for fundraising events! This is a unique opportunity to help design and organize events that celebrate our community’s love for nature while helping to raise essential funds to support TNC’s mission.

As a committee member, you’ll work with TNC staff and Board members to plan and coordinate TNC’s Spring and Fall fundraising events. Your creativity and commitment will help make these events a success, inspiring appreciation for the environment while securing resources to continue our work.

We welcome volunteers of all experience levels who are creative, collaborative, proactive, and passionate about lending their talents and time to support TNC’s mission. Whether you have a background in marketing, event logistics, fundraising, or simply enjoy lending a hand, there’s a place for you on our team!

By joining the TNC Event Planning Committee, you’ll gain hands-on experience in nonprofit event planning, connect with other nature enthusiasts, and develop valuable skills in a supportive, mission-driven environment. Most importantly, you’ll be making a direct impact by helping TNC raise the necessary funds to protect our local ecosystems and expand educational and recreational programs.

Counselors-In-Training (CITs) gain valuable experience working with Tenafly Nature Center’s Professional Environmental Educators and children. By assisting the staff, CITs develop the skills to communicate effectively with different age groups while keeping young campers safe and entertained. CITs help to prepare, lead and clean up camp activities for our school break and summer Nature Day Camp sessions throughout the year.

Program Highlights:

Mandatory Training: June 18–19, from 1:00–4:00 pm

Camp Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm

Summer Commitment: Minimum of two weeks

Role Responsibilities: Helping prepare, lead, and clean up daily camp activities

Program Benefits: Valuable leadership and resume-building experience Community service credit Opportunities to mentor and inspire younger campers Skill development in teamwork, communication, and outdoor education

Space is limited.

After you have signed up through Bergen Volunteers, please fill out our CIT Application. You will not be considered for this position without signing up through Bergen Volunteers, AND sending in a completed application. 

CIT Application

Calling Corporate Volunteers!  Is your company looking for a meaningful way to make a difference? Spend an afternoon giving back through a corporate volunteer opportunity with us or help with a seasonal supply drive to support our residents. Donation and activity ideas include laundry detergent, body wash, games, puzzles, craft materials, birthday celebration items, and bingo prizes. Or, share your talents—can you sing, dance, or play a musical instrument? Our residents love to be entertained! We’d love to partner with you to create a lasting impact in our community. Reach out to Brian at bwilson@BrightSideManor.org to set up a time to talk. Opportunities can focus on corporate engagement to boost team morale, community connection to bring care and joy to local seniors, or hands-on service to see the difference your team can make!  (We can even do something virtual!)

Bring Your Team. Boost Your Impact.

*Urgent need: Supply Drives for our Seniors and On-site Volunteer Afternoons

 Let’s plan your day of service!  We’ll tailor an opportunity for your goals—corporate engagement, community connection, or hands-on service—and handle the logistics. Please Email Brian at bwilson@BrightSideManor.org  Thank you!!!! 

STEM Success Guides

Looking for a meaningful experience? Join us as an STEM program volunteer!

Your Role: 

Help facilitate hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities for youth. Engage participants in creative problem-solving and inspire curiosity.

Skills:

Benefits:

Sign Up Here!: Volunteers & Interns at BGCL Lower Bergen County

Administrative Assistant Volunteer: Looking for a meaningful experience? Join us as an administrative assistant!

Your Role: 

Support the program by assisting staff with clerical and administrative tasks. Must be proficient in Google Drive, especially Google Sheets, and comfortable with data tracking.

Skills:

Benefits:

Sign Up Here!: Volunteers & Interns at BGCL Lower Bergen County

Active Achiever Volunteer

Looking for a meaningful experience? Join us as a Physical Education Volunteer!

Your Role:

Support structured physical activity sessions, promote teamwork and healthy habits, and help supervise recreational games for elementary and middle school youth. Ideal for individuals passionate about youth development, fitness, and fostering a positive, active environment.

Skills:

Benefits:

Sign Up Here: Volunteers & Interns at BGCL Lower Bergen County 

Homework Hero Volunteer:

Looking for a meaningful experience? Join us as an academic tutor!

Your Role: 

Support youth in grades Pre-K through 8th with homework help, reading, and enrichment activities in a positive, encouraging environment. Ideal for individuals passionate about education and youth development.

Skills:

Benefits:

Sign Up Here!: Volunteers & Interns at BGCL Lower Bergen County

Holiday Volunteers

Bright Side doesn't close on holidays. While some of our residents spend holidays with their families, many residents remain at Bright Side. If you're looking for a special way to spend Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's Day, or any other holiday, remember that Bright Side has meaningful volunteer opportunities for you.

Handy Heroes help maintain Flat Rock on an as needed basis! These volunteers will help with a variety of projects from cleaning litter from the trails to blowing leaves from the cattle guard.

There are no specific commitments for this position

However, here are some of the possible jobs that will be available to those in this position:

On Call Heroes (On an as-needed basis): Be placed on a list of heroes we can call on to help us shovel on snowy days and help with other day of needs.

Litterbug Heroes (At your leisure): Help clean up trails and empty full trashcans at Jones Rd.

Repair Heroes (At your convenience): Consult the list of minor repairs that need to be done in and around our building and grounds.

Trail Heroes (On a semi-regular basis): Help distribute woodchips on muddy/flooded trails and help replace water bars to keep our trails from eroding due to weather.

There are no specific requirements to be a Handy Hero!

However, some beneficial abilities would be:

Ability to use power and manual tools (hammer, drill, leaf blower, etc.)

Ability to lift 25 lbs.

Good balance and able to walk up hill

Willing to get dirty

Provide an invaluable service to Flat Rock

Work with your hands and get out in nature

Help in the YMCA wellness center assisting with basic operations, maintenance functions, programs, facility prep and member relations.  

Great for someone interested in health and fitness recreationally or professionally!  Basic training provided.  Find your passion for wellness at the Y!

Student Interns welcome. Flexible time slots.  Call the fitness director at 732-257-4114 for further information or visit www.raritavalleyymca.org for a volunteer application. 

Tessie’s Touch brings joy & connection to isolated older adults by matching them with a caring volunteer. Together, they can do activities and excursions in the community. Tessie’s Touch is an extension of our traditional Friendly Visiting program and allows us to go above and beyond for our seniors.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1 hour once a week and the schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator online.

For more information contact Kathy Mikula at kmikula@jfsmetrowest.org or 973-637-1726.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another chronic illness is one of the most selfless things we can do, but it can also be exhausting.

Through Jewish Family Service of MetroWest’s Respite program, volunteers support caregivers by visiting their loved ones for 2-3 hours once a week or every other week. Each volunteer is matched with a caregiver and their loved one to provide companionship, socialization, and activities such as reading books, watching movies, or playing games depending on the person’s abilities. This allows the caregiver a break while the care recipient still has safety and supervision.

Volunteers must complete a background check. Training on working with clients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another chronic illness is provided. For more information, call (973) 637-1762 or mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org

This service is supported by a grant from The JFNA Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma.

Friendly Visiting

Friendly Visitors are matched with a homebound older adult to meet with in their home weekly. Volunteers provide conversation, companionship, and socialization opportunities.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1 hour once a week and the schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFSMW Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator via our app.

This program covers Essex, Morris, and surrounding counties, but we have the most need for female volunteers to visit homebound women in Essex County.

For more information contact Kathy Mikula at kmikula@jfsmetrowest.org or 973-637-1726.

Edit and post videos and news articles to Patch, Daily Voice and local newspapers on a regular basis. 

Contact organizations which provide services for seniors

Locate and reach out to isolated seniors

We are seeking a volunteers with experience in marketing and promotion (including social) to announce our 3 OCS ceremonies in NJ. Promotion starts in January, 2026

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https://vimeo.com/1088157725?share=copy

Welcome Volunteers!

Please download the I-Rescue App, and register using your phone or email address.

Once registered, a Volunteer Agreement must be completed.

Table to Table’s I-Rescue is an app that allows volunteers to help rescue and deliver fresh food to our neighbors facing food insecurity. With its wild success in Bergen County, I-Rescue expands to Essex, Hudson, and Passaic Counties.

Only one year after its launch, I-Rescue’s footprint will broaden to help alleviate food insecurity by connecting volunteers—who rescue free, fresh and donated food from restaurants and grocery stores—to recipient agencies such as food pantries and shelters that feed communities in need.

I-Rescue was developed through a partnership between Table to Table, Bergen County and the Russell Berrie Foundation.

Pony Power Therapies is looking for volunteers to assist with our therapeutic riding lessons. Volunteers with and without horse experience are welcome. 

***We are looking for lead walkers (handle horses during lessons; previous horse experience required) and side walkers (support rider's during lessons; no horse experience required) Sunday mornings and Monday through Thursday afternoons from January 4th - February 26th.   

What kinds of tasks will I be doing? 
Our lesson volunteers assist during therapeutic riding sessions for people with disabilities or life challenges.

Lead walker volunteers must have previous horse experience, but no horse experience is required for side walkers.

How long is a shift? 
1.5-2 hours, once a week (or more, if you'd like!)

Can my teenager volunteer? 
Yes! We welcome volunteers ages 14 years and up.
 

Apply & see available shifts

Visit ponypowernj.org/lessons

Have questions?
Call 201-934-1001

Every year in New Jersey, 341,000 tons of prepared food goes to waste, while 994,800 New Jersey residents don’t have enough food to eat. Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to local nonprofits that support individuals in need.

About the opportunity: Share My Meals is looking for dedicated volunteers to pick up prepared meal donations from Glassboro on Fridays at 3pm and deliver them to a nonprofit organization in Gloucester Township (~20 minute drive).

We are looking to build a community of volunteers who would be willing to support this route on a regular basis starting as soon as possible.  

In order to adhere to food safety guidelines, Share My Meals provides all necessary equipment (i.e. insulated bags) to transport food donations safely and requires volunteers to track pick-up and delivery route start and end times using our smart phone app.

Volunteer Requirements:

Work with a horticulturist on the grounds for our 2-hour Ground Force volunteer sessions.  Tasks vary from sessions to session.

Work with a horticulturist on the grounds for our 2-hour Ground Force volunteer sessions.  Tasks vary from sessions to session.

Are you interested in combating food insecurity for local Camden youth & families? If supporting access to nutritious and sustainable food is important to you, we’d love to have you! LUCY is thrilled to partner with the Food Bank of South Jersey in implementing our on- site food pantry. We consistently provide canned goods, fresh produce & vegetables, protein, dairy and eggs for youth, parent/guardians and the Camden community

Volunteers assist members with aphasia in our member-run gift shop making jewelry. Accent is on providing friendly conversation and assistance to those with limited hand mobility.

Times -
Monday & Tuesday 1 hour shifts between 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

We ask all volunteers to commit to at least one hour a week for our 15 week semester.

When you help an adult, you help her or his entire family. At Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, we have a long list of U.S. citizens and immigrants, among them refugees and asylum seekers, waiting for help learning to speak, understand, read, and write in English. We need volunteers to teach them! Here's how you can help: Learn to teach ESOL and Basic Literacy with LVA. After training, you will be matched with a small group of students (three to five students) and tutor them for at least two hours each week.

Become a volunteer literacy tutor by registering for our 10-hour (five sessions, two hours each) virtual tutor training course and then teach students in-person or via distance learning. This opportunity is for local residents of Essex and Passaic Counties or others that can meet in-person in these counties.

This is a great opportunity to get involved and help your community!

Please email your completed "Tutor Package" to seckerling@lvaep.org

The YMCA depends upon volunteers to enrich our programs, facility, and youth experiences. Many corporations find volunteering for a day at the YMCA a great way to build staff camaraderie. Volunteering brings purpose to ones self and a staff team as they contribute to the good of the community. Contact the YMCA for a work project that suits your group. Common experiences have included: decorating for the holidays ( Halloween, winter, spring), planting gardens, indoor maintenance projects (painting, window cleaning, etc), outdoor clean up days (landscaping and camp set up), car washes that benefit our scholarship fund, projects with youth: carnivals, science fairs, and gardening initiatives, reading theme days, or holiday celebrations. Consider the Y for your next groups volunteer mission!

Call 732-257-4114 for further information or visit www.raritavalleyymca.org for a volunteer application. 

Volunteers are needed to help at the food pantry every third Tuesday at 12:00pm - 2:00pm. Volunteers will help unload food delivery truck, put donated food out on pantry shelves and help hand out food. 

You do not need to sign up for every Friday. Must be able to get to the food pantry, transportation is not provided. Service hours for the hours worked only available if needed. 

The pantry operates Rain, snow and shine.

Volunteers are needed to help at the food pantry on Saturday from 8:00 - 10:30am. Volunteers will help put donated food out on pantry shelves and help hand out food. 

You do not need to sign up for every Friday. Must be able to get to the food pantry, transportation is not provided. Service hours for the hours worked only available if needed. 

The pantry operates Rain, snow and shine.

Volunteers are needed to help at the food pantry on Fridays at 10:00am.Volunteers will help put donated food out on pantry shelves and help hand out food. 

You do not need to sign up for every Friday. Must be able to get to the food pantry, transportation is not provided. Service hours for the hours worked only available if needed. 

The pantry operates Rain, snow and shine.

The VITA program provides free tax preparation to low-income families and individuals making less than $65,000 annually. The program is overseen and operates under the authority of the IRS. All VITA providers are registered with the IRS and VITA preparers are certified with the IRS.

 UWPC has operated the VITA program for over a decade, in that time the program has completed over 11,000 tax returns resulting in over $12 million in Federal refunds for low-income families and individuals. In addition, the program has saved clients an estimated S2 million in filing fees creating a total $15 million in economic impact for Passaic County.

 As a VITA volunteer you have a direct and significant impact on the financial stability of our neighbors in Passaic County.  The goal of the VITA program is to ensure that our hardworking neighbors living poverty or paycheck get back every dollar the is due to them through tax refunds and credits.  The refunds families access with the support of VITA allow them to tackle basic expenses such as food, housing and transportation or save for their future.  

 A United Way of Passaic County's VITA volunteer commented that being a VITA volunteer was "One of the most interesting volunteer opportunities I've ever had. I know that I am helping others and really making a difference.”

No tax preparation experience is necessary to be a VITA Volunteer!

All volunteers attend a short orientation course and software training. VITA volunteers become certified with the IRS through the Link and Learn program. All materials needed for the certification process are available online. The certification exams are open book and do not have time limits.

Income Tax Preparers: Prepare Federal & State returns.  Volunteers receive hands-on training using a professional tax software. Certifications needed include Standard of Conduct, Intake/Interview & Quality Review, and Basic Tax-Preparation Certification.

Greeter/Intake Specialist / Translators: Review Intake form for completion. Conduct taxpayer interview for additional information.  Certifications needed include Standard of Conduct and Intake/Interview & Quality Review.

We especially need volunteers that can speak other languages in addition to English. Languages needed include but is not no limited to Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, French, Polish, Spanish, and Turkish.

 Sign up at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vitavolunteer2026

Food Bank Hours: Monday, 10AM–2PM; Tuesday–Friday, 1PM–4PM.   Opportunities open for all shifts. Additional hours will become available based on the number of volunteers.  Email: gilda@njbuddies.org     OR   info@njbuddies.org

Description of Duties: Help maintain and upkeep the Food Bank, including the stocking and sorting of food items, and filling orders.

Who can volunteer for this: adults, seniors, and students

Languages: English (Spanish a plus, but not required)

Phone: 201.489.2900

Location: Hackensack, New Jersey

2025 Foodstock

Even before any disaster or crisis hits, food security can be a significant issue for ALICE®  (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families and those in poverty. ALICE was already navigating life without a safety net and was one crisis away from financial despair. The government shutdown and suspension of SNAP (food assistance) benefits is that crisis, creating a significant increase in food insecurity while pantries are already at capacity and experiencing shortages.

In response to this impact of the SNAP emergency, United Way is taking action and encouraging people and groups to collect needed items for local food banks/pantries. While Foodstock is a year-round project, we are strongly promoting its expansion during this critical timeframe, given the critical need right now.  This will help ensure ALICE and poverty-level households have enough food while the SNAP program is on hold. 

How to Help

Please sign up to support local food banks/pantries by running a collection drive or contributing food to YOUR local pantry. 

To sign up, respond as an individual or as a team using the buttons to your right. Submit your name and email address—all other requested information is optional—and that’s it!

Once you’ve registered, please check out food pantry information and the types of foods most needed right now in the following counties:

Somerset County: Somerset County Emergency Food Box Needs     (Food Assistance | Somerset County)

Morris County:  Donate Food - Interfaith Food Pantry Network

Sussex County:    food-pantry-update.pdf

Warren County:  Food Bank

Essex County:  Essex-County-Food-Pantries-pdf.pdf

You can also check out the Foodstock flyer, which contains all you need to get started such as a list of participating pantries in our five-county region, needed pantry items, and ideas for getting others involved in this effort.

Please make sure to connect directly with the local food pantry you plan to deliver your food donations to in advance of going there.  Also, please consider making a financial donation to your local pantry to support their efforts to help your neighbors in need.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of struggling families, children, seniors and those with disabilities in need of food throughout northern New Jersey! 

Identify, write and submit grants to support the goals of North Jersey Villages

- Update the North Jersey Villages website in a timely manner (mostly once a week) to maintain a list of local activities in Bergen County that can keep older adults connected to their neighbors - and any entertaining, enriching and educational virtual programs

- Able to devote 1 to 2 hours a week for the task

- Need Basic HTML knowledge

- Need basic knowledge of Content Management Systems (CMS)

- Understand how to upload documents, such as online flyers

- Will be given training and tutorials

Bergen Volunteers’ Mentoring program provides individuals with one-on-one support. Our staff and volunteers help mentees learn about the resources available within the community while tapping into their strengths to identify and strive towards specific personal improvement goals.

Our long-term mentoring program runs for 18 months and matches volunteers with:

Volunteers enrolled in our long-term program must be at least 21 years old, complete an interview and criminal background check ($17), as well as attend our training session. Ideal candidates are great listeners, non-judgmental, resourceful, and have a generous heart. During the 18 month commitment period, volunteers are expected to meet with their mentees twice per month for 2 hours each get-together.

We’re currently seeking female mentors to provide encouragement and guidance to moms who need a little extra support. Your kindness and wisdom can change lives.

To be considered, please open the link below in a new tab to complete an application.

https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5011418/Community-Programs-Volunteer-Application

Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to individuals in need.

About the opportunity: Share My Meals is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with our donation receiving operations in Princeton on Fridays from 2:00 to 4:30pm.This is a hands-on way to help make sure donated meals are received, sorted, and ready to be shared with our community.

What you’ll do:

Organize and sort incoming meal donations

Assist with keeping our Hub tidy and efficient

Be available for occasional local meal donation pick-ups (car required)

Volunteers should expect to lift and carry full bags and trays of food. Fridays are our busiest donation day, so volunteers should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to take initiative with minimal direction.

In order to adhere to food safety guidelines, Share My Meals provides all necessary equipment (i.e. insulated bags) to transport food donations safely and requires volunteers to track pick-up and delivery route start and end times using our smart phone app.

Volunteer Requirements:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.  Parents may volunteer with their children.

Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license.

Volunteers must provide their own transportation and have the necessary auto insurance (minimum of $300,000 Single Limit or $100,000/$300,000 Split Limit auto liability limits).

Volunteers must have a smartphone with the ability to download our food donation tracking app.

Volunteers must complete Share My Meals onboarding and training before volunteering.

Please note: This is not a one-time volunteer opportunity; we are looking for volunteers who are available to regularly support the meal delivery program. 

For the mechanically inclined and handy person, volunteers work as part of a team to restore and maintain aircrafts, displays, and general maintenance work on the museum property and facility itself.

Currently, in need of help fixing the interior roof and ceiling tiles. 

A volunteer is needed to assist with light physical labor. Nothing hard or taxing just able to do yard work, assist with simple maintenance tasks and cleanup chores. Their efforts would be directed/coordinated by our experienced staff.

Museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.  

To register to volunteer please call Ralph directly at 201-288-6344.

Women's Rights is looking for a few volunteers to work Monday – Friday from 9-1 and 1- 5. The same volunteer will not work all week. Tasks would include answering phones, routing calls, and greeting folks who come to the door. Volunteers must speak both English and Spanish.

Do you value safety? Do you enjoy solving problems? Handy with tools? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people who wish to remain independent? Celebrating over 40 years, CHORE volunteers perform minor household repairs for the senior and disabled residents of Bergen County, allowing them to age safely in their own homes.

What will you do? Perform minor indoor safety repairs such as installing grab bars, changing light bulbs, minor electrical/plumbing, etc.

Hours: One day a week (Monday - Friday) between the hours of 8:30 am - 2:00 pm (seasonal volunteers are also welcome)

Requirements:

This is a wonderful opportunity for recent retirees who are looking to give back to the community. It is also an excellent learning experience for college students learning trades such as physical therapy, engineering, electrical, etc. as it gets them inside the homes of local residents with common, everyday issues.  If you need to perform service for court-mandated hours, we may be able to use you.

Experience or inexperienced, we offer on the job training and are happy to accept anyone who can commit to at least one day a week.

If interested, please fill out the following application and select the "CHORE" option. Contact us at mogden@bergenvolunteers.org with any additional questions.

The gardens at Flat Rock Brook were created by our volunteer gardeners. It is an ongoing project and everyone is welcome to join this group regardless of experience. Volunteer gardeners work on plantings, upkeep, maintenance and care of our gardens with a special emphasis on our Native Habitat and Butterfly Gardens. We use integrated pest management gardening techniques and plant natives to attract beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Requirements

Easy to moderate physical labor

No experience necessary

Age 16 and older

Benefits

Working outside and experiencing nature

Increased knowledge of native/non-native plants and invasive species

These Rangers will help the education staff facilitate public and private programming including field trips, weekend public programs, and birthday parties. Please note that most of our public programming occurs on Sunday afternoons. Experienced Jr. Rangers will also be permitted to conduct storytimes and small craft projects if they feel comfortable doing so.

Jr. Rangers will be required to attend an Educational Training Day in April. Staff will always be present and available while these young volunteers are present and they are not to leave the Nature Center alone without permission from a staff member first.

Age 12-14

Volunteer for a minimum of 2 hours per season (spring, summer, fall) for a minimum total of 6 hours per calendar year.

Attend the Educational Training Day in April

Great opportunity for first time volunteers

Giving back to the community

Volunteer experience with children and members of the public

On the fast track for Ranger subcategories as they enter high school

Flat Rock Brook hosts several annual events. Our annual Recognition Dinner honors outstanding individuals and companies. The Great Fall Festival brings hundreds of families to the Nature Center for outdoor fun. We seek individuals to assist with a variety of efforts to help ensure our success at these events.

There are no specific requirements for becoming a special event volunteer; however, as events come closer, there will be specific jobs that need to be filled.

A way of giving back to the community

Helping raise money and ensure successful events

Bringing fun to the families of the area

Here are some examples of jobs from the Great Fall Festival:

Setting up tables and decorations

Food distribution

Facilitating Crafts and Games

Volunteer groups from corporate, non-profit, and private organizations assist Flat Rock Brook with trail maintenance, invasive species removal, native plantings, erosion control installation, and other projects. All programs require easy to moderate physical labor. All materials are supplied.

We can accommodate groups of up to 30 individuals for volunteer days. If you are interested in a group volunteer opportunity, please fill out our Group Volunteer Form at the top of the page. Please email this form to catherine@flatrockbrook.org

Available for weekdays and/or weekends

At least 16 years of age

No experience necessary

Moderate physical labor

Great for team building

Outdoor exercise

Increased knowledge of native/non-native plants and invasive species

Are you passionate about making a difference in a child's life? Million Reasons is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer tutors to help young learners discover the wonderful world of learning.

Join Our Food Rescue Squad!

Every year in New Jersey, 341,000 tons of prepared food goes to waste, while nearly 1 million New Jersey residents don’t have enough food to eat. Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to local nonprofits that support individuals in need.

About the opportunity:

Share My Meals is looking for dedicated volunteers to pick up pre-packaged meal donations from Bristol Myers Squibb New Brunswick on Fridays at 1:45pm and deliver them to a nonprofit organization in Bound Brook, NJ (~25 minute drive).

Every year in New Jersey, 341,000 tons of prepared food goes to waste, while 994,800 New Jersey residents don’t have enough food to eat. Share My Meals is closing the gap between food waste and hunger by mobilizing volunteers to recover nutritious surplus meals from commercial kitchens and deliver them to local nonprofits that support individuals in need.

About the opportunity:

We are looking for volunteers to join our Home Delivery team to deliver recovered food from our Princeton hub to the homes of individuals in need on weekdays from 4-5:30pm and on Saturday afternoons. Home delivery routes typically take 60-90 minutes to complete.

In order to adhere to food safety guidelines, Share My Meals provides all necessary equipment (i.e. insulated bags) to transport food donations safely and requires volunteers to track pick-up and delivery route start and end times using our smart phone app.

Volunteer Requirements:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.  Parents may volunteer with their children.

Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license.

Volunteers must provide their own transportation and have the necessary auto insurance (minimum of $300,000 Single Limit or $100,000/$300,000 Split Limit auto liability limits).

Volunteers must have a smartphone with the ability to download our food donation tracking app.

Volunteers must complete Share My Meals onboarding and training before volunteering.

Please note: This is not a one-time volunteer opportunity; we are looking for volunteers who are available to regularly support the meal delivery program.

Sources: https://insights-engine.refed.org/food-waste-monitor?break_by=food_type&indicator=tons-waste&state=NJ&view=detail&year=2023;  https://www-doh.nj.gov/doh-shad/indicator/summary/FoodInsecurity.html#:~:text=The USDA estimates that in,New Jersey were food insecure.

When families roll up their sleeves and participate in meaningful service projects, they quickly learn that they can make a difference in creating a better community– and a better world. We’ve put this tool kit together for instances in which your family can’t make it to Family Volunteer Day (Fall event), want to participate from home for Family Day of Service (Spring event), or when you simply want to get the family together to do some good. These volunteer opportunities are strictly DIY and can be completed from the comfort of your own home. 

All instructions for the projects, and getting your donations to us for distribution are included in the toolkit. 

When you respond to this need, a VCSJ team member will send you the complete toolkit to get started.

Family Promise Youth Council - Teen Volunteer Opportunities

Family Promise of Bergen County's Youth Council for the Homeless provides teen volunteer opportunities designed for high school students in Bergen County who are looking to make a difference in the lives of families with children facing homelessness and hunger in our community. Throughout the school year, the Youth Council meets monthly and participates in various volunteer and service opportunities that support Family Promise.

The first Family Promise Youth Council meeting for the 2025-26 school year will be held in September.

For more information, questions, and to learn about getting involved, please email Youth Council Director Alina Albano at familypromiseyouthcouncil@gmail.com.

Teen Volunteering Opportunities include:

Attention TEENS! **PLEASE NOTE** Since the teens are the ones who will be volunteering with this program, I need to hear from them directly, not from the parents/guardians.  The teens are the ones who need to reach out to me to request an application. 

RISE is the spinoff of the Reflections school year program, which addresses a variety of issues through the use of improvisational theatre.

This is a FREE program, funded by the County of Bergen.

RISE uses improvisational techniques to address teen issues, and teens will be trained in a variety of games, activities and exercises and then will be able to share what they have learned with others.

Teens earn volunteer hours and acquire leadership skills and have fun, all at the same time.

This Summer,  RISE will be on Tuesday nights, starting  on July 8th and will run until August 26th.

*NEW TIME: *5:45pm-7:45pm

WHERE: 1 Bergen County Plaza – Hackensack, NJ

THIS IS A DROP IN PROGRAM – THIS MEANS THAT RISE CAST MEMBERS ATTEND WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND EACH WEEK.

We  will also have other opportunities for RISE participants to earn volunteer hours by attending workshops that we will be leading. This will be explained to them once they are part of the RISE program. Again, this is on a “drop in“ basis, in that cast members attend the events that meet their availability.

To be part of RISE 2025, one needs to have just finished 8th grade, all the way to just graduating high school.

They also must be Bergen County residents.

Assist the Recreational Therapy staff in engaging our long-term care residents with fun activities that enhance their quality of life and support their health and wellness.

Assist with the transportation of residents to and from the chapel for services.

Catholic Service: Sunday-1:45pm to 4:15pm

Assist residents with daily activities and light chores, engage them in conversation and support staff during recreation and patient rounding.

Assist Emergency Department staff with patient care rounding and the transporting of items to and from the Lab and Pharmacy.

Assist the Operating Room staff with room turnover, transporting items, stocking supplies and clerical duties.

Assist BHS staff with preventing falls of our high-risk clients and engaging those clients with conversation and companionship.

Assist Ambulatory Care staff with patient room turnover between appointments.