December 22, 2024
food drive how to do one

November Food Drives in Hunterdon, Warren Counties (And My Own, Personal Mini Food Drive)

Last year I did an impromptu food drive just before Thanksgiving. Porch pickups of canned foods from local moms with a little heads up in advance. Brought it all to the NORWESCAP food bank. We managed to collect 80+ pounds of canned and boxed foods, fantastic!

My drive around town in 2020 was so enjoyable that I decided to do it again this year. I made the rounds on Thursday… got a nice group of moms who once again hopped to it with glad generosity on a busy weeknight!

For my effort, I was rewarded with a pleasant drive through the gold and crimson-dappled countryside, with many adorably autumn-decorated porches to greet me with an offering of canned foods for those in need.

Friday afternoon, I went by the NORWESCAP food bank of Phillipsburg, NJ with my donation haul. Lots of thoughtful food selections and variety once again. This year we topped it, with a total of 172 pounds of canned and packaged food goods donated by kind moms of Warren County.

Signs of autumn, everywhere. Driving around our beautiful northwest corner of NJ, feeling pretty good.

november food drive

Sweetly decorated porches to cheer me on my way.

It is nice to know such giving individuals! I didn’t want anyone to feel obligated to my little food drive. I don’t put pressure on people I know to participate, I just put it out there that this is what I’m doing. I can’t thank these kind friends enough!

This is a time of year for high activity at the food banks and I know that lots of families donate at the grocery store bin and via school or other organizations.



How Did I End Up Having My Own NORWESCAP Food Drive?

My first encounter with this benevolent organization was via my friend Laura, who had initiated a volunteering relationship with them years ago.

Laura invited me to swing by their Empty Bowls fundraiser dinner, where she served as the talented artist who hand-painted lovely bowls to offer as gifts to the fundraiser contributors. I still have my bowl! 🙂

Since then, I have supported their thrift shop with purchases (love to pop them tags!), and now that I am able, I have started with what is working out to be an annual, local food drive.

172 pounds of food donated from one small group of moms… thank you everyone for your generosity!

norwescap phillipsburg nj food bank

Pictured: NORWESCAP of Phillipsburg, NJ Executive Director Helene, and one of several kind volunteers who accepted our donations and helped with the weigh-in!

I even got a free apple for my effort! 🙂

172 pounds might sound like a lot of food, and it WAS an accomplishment. But did you know that the NORWESCAP Food Bank distributes approximately 2 million pounds of food annually to 100 pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, on-site feeding programs, child care centers, senior centers, and programs for the disabled in Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties?

I sent this out to my ladies who stepped up with food donations this year:

food drive thank you card




How to Help This Holiday Season: Donate to Your Local Food Pantry or Food Bank

I’ll share the names of different organizations that are accepting food donations this November and December, in Warren and Hunterdon County, NJ.

Contact the NORWESCAP Thrift Store and Food Bank in Phillipsburg, NJ

201 Broad St
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908) 454-4322

Reach the NORWESCAP Corporate Office

For COVID related family emergencies, contact NORWESCAP via this page.

350 Marshall Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
contactus@norwescap.org
Telephone: (908) 454-7000


Open Cupboard Food Pantry of Clinton, NJ – Donate Now

  1. Donate via their Facebook Page using PayPal
  2. Donate via postal mail to:
    Open Cupboard Food Pantry
    PO Box 5071 Clinton, NJ 08809
  3. Donate in person during their regular business hours:
  • Tuesday 9 to 12 a.m., and 4:30 to 7pm
  • Friday 9 to 12 a.m., and 4:30 to 7pm

Contact Info:

Open Cupboard Food Pantry and Thrift Shop
Clinton, NJ 08809
https://www.opencupboardfoodpantry.org

Phone: 908 730-7320
Email: opencupboardfoodpantry@comcast.net

Follow the Open Cupboard Food Pantry and Thrift Shop of Clinton, NJ on Facebook

The Open Cupboard Food Pantry is located between I-78 and Route 31 in Clinton NJ, in the Rite-Aid Shopping Center next to the A&P.


Support Our Troops Runs Nov. 11 to Dec. 15, 2021, with Food Drop-Off Stations Throughout Washington Borough, Warren County NJ

Operation Jersey Cares

Operation Jersey Cares is currently running their annual Support Our Troops Drive. Care Package Drive Drop Off are being accepted from now through December 17, 2021. Please deposit your donated items at one of the official WBID/Operation Jersey Cares donation boxes throughout Washington, NJ from 11/11/21 through 12/17/21 at participating locations.

For more information, call 908-689-4800 or email admin@washingtonbid.org.


Flemington Area Food Pantry Now Accepting Donations – Evolution Pilates Studio is Currently Hosting a Fundraiser for Their Organization

pilates for the food pantry flemington nj

Here’s a message from Flemington Pilates Instructor Laura Donatelli about supporting the cause:

Want to join me in supporting a good cause and get fit while you’re at it? I’m raising money for Flemington Area Food Pantry again this year and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. In return, I will be hosting a Facebook Live Pilates class for you and your friends and family!
Pilates class is Sunday November 14th at 9am EST.
Last year we raised $2165 so let’s get to $2166 this year! (This is being posted after the fact, but the Donate button is still up… so I’m sure Laura and especially the Flemington Food Pantry will be grateful for any donations via her page. Reach out for more info!)

Learn more and donate to the Flemington Food Pantry here.