Community Corner
Season For Giving: Helping Out In Montclair Over The Holidays
Here are some ways you can give of yourself during the holiday season
During my seventh grade year at Montclair Kimberley Academy, my class held a fundraiser for We organized a talent show, featuring students and faculty. I sang a duet from Annie Get Your Gun with my former classmate. That was more than 20 years ago.
Today Toni’s Kitchen, which operates out of at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, continues to feed and comfort hungry souls.The kitchen expects to serve 90 people on Christmas Day. Earlier this week I checked in with Toni’s, to assess their current needs. In lieu of kitchen volunteers (they rely on regulars), they’re looking for someone or a group to provide music during the holiday meal.
They’re especially interested in Christmas carolers. Outreach Director Anne Mernin says she’s also looking for donations of “festive” foods. Mernin says local folks are welcome to stop by with candy canes and cookies to bring cheer to the guests. If you’re going to bring something perishable, try and come by between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Christmas morning.
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I also checked in with the Salvation Army to find out its plans for Christmas. They served a Thanksgiving meal, so they will be closed Christmas Day. But the organization could use a few volunteers for its toy distribution program that takes place December 21 and 22. That’s when families in need can pick out a few toys for their kids. And the Salvation Army is still accepting gifts for kids of all ages; toys for the little ones and new clothes for pre-teens, who often get overlooked.
In addition, residents who have already attended a volunteer orientation at the are invited to schedule a time to stop by and help out on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, workers will be cleaning the shelter and won't be allowing volunteers to come in.
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If residents who have not attended the orientation would like to do something, the animal shelter is in need of cash donations as well as: canned cat and dog food, dog and cat toys, cat litter, laundry detergent, bleach, dish soap, used blankets, quilts, linens, towels, and other animal bedding. Of course, the best thing that anyone can do is adopt an animal into their loving home!
In general, if you want to help out during the holidays, call around first. Your best bet is to contact your local house of worship to find out if they are coordinating any efforts. Many local hospitals, like Mountainside, are all set for Christmas volunteers this year. And they can't take walk-ins. The same goes for local food pantries, like the Human Needs Food Pantry. Executive Director Deanna London says she doesn’t have room for additional volunteers during the busy holiday season.
Here's some contact information below:
Salvation Army
Contact: AnnaMarie Goglia at 973-744-3312 x 4654
Toni’s Kitchen
Contact: Anne Mernin at amernin@comcast.net
