Opportunities From: Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Northern New Jersey

Volunteer: Pick Produce and Help Feed Hungry Families

Volunteers are needed to join our team and come to the America's Grow A Row farm and help us pick fresh produce for local families and individuals who are suffering from food insecurity.  This is a great project for people of all ages!

Spend the morning with United Way and help us pick fresh vegetables that will nourish local children and adults who are hungry.  Register yourself or your team and we will share project details with you (what to wear, what to bring, etc.).

Thank you for your interest and willingness to help provide fresh nutritious food to people who most need it in our community!

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Volunteers are needed to join our team and come to the America's Grow A Row farm and help us pick fresh produce for local families and individuals who are suffering from food insecurity.  This is a great project for people of all ages!

Spend the morning with United Way and help us pick fresh vegetables that will nourish local children and adults who are hungry.  Register yourself or your team and we will share project details with you (what to wear, what to bring, etc.).

Thank you for your interest and willingness to help provide fresh nutritious food to people who most need it in our community!

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Aug 21, 2026

Zip Code: 08867

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Foodstock Program - 2026

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!

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

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!

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 08807

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Cheer on a new Kindergartener!

Kindergarten is the start of a formal school environment for many children.  United Way, as part of our United In Care program, encourages school-readiness and early literacy.  Through this effort, we would like each child at one of our many partner preschools to get a card or letter of encouragement that creates excitement about entering kindergarten.

Volunteering for this project is easy and can be done by ANYONE!  Simply make a card or write a short note of support and encouragement for a new kindergartener.  You can include a favorite memory about your own kindergarten experience or perhaps the titles of your favorite children's books.  Please send your card/letter to United Way of Northern New Jersey at P.O. Box 6835, Bridgewater, NJ  08807 - Attn. Cards for Kindergarten. 

This project can be done by a family, an individual, a Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop, service club or any other type of group.  Sign up TODAY and start making a nice card to encourage continued learning for children entering kindergarten.

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Kindergarten is the start of a formal school environment for many children.  United Way, as part of our United In Care program, encourages school-readiness and early literacy.  Through this effort, we would like each child at one of our many partner preschools to get a card or letter of encouragement that creates excitement about entering kindergarten.

Volunteering for this project is easy and can be done by ANYONE!  Simply make a card or write a short note of support and encouragement for a new kindergartener.  You can include a favorite memory about your own kindergarten experience or perhaps the titles of your favorite children's books.  Please send your card/letter to United Way of Northern New Jersey at P.O. Box 6835, Bridgewater, NJ  08807 - Attn. Cards for Kindergarten. 

This project can be done by a family, an individual, a Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop, service club or any other type of group.  Sign up TODAY and start making a nice card to encourage continued learning for children entering kindergarten.

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Agency Requirement: >10 years old

Zip Code: 08876

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Become a Virtual Visit Friend and Lift the Spirits of Seniors

VVF is looking for volunteers to participate in virtual “visits” with a nursing home resident for as little as 10 minutes. Click the link below to access our signup sheet. After you sign up, you will receive a welcome email with further instructions.

 

To register, click here:  Virtual Visit Friends

This link will take you to the registration page for this opportunity.

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

VVF is looking for volunteers to participate in virtual “visits” with a nursing home resident for as little as 10 minutes. Click the link below to access our signup sheet. After you sign up, you will receive a welcome email with further instructions.

 

To register, click here:  Virtual Visit Friends

This link will take you to the registration page for this opportunity.

Agency: United Way of Northern New Jersey

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Caregiver Respite

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07052

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Friendly Visiting

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07042

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Tessie’s Touch

Tessie’s Touch

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.


Each senior is paired one-on-one with a volunteer to facilitate a deeper connection through shared experiences and activities. JFS Staff will work with the pair to find an activity that brings them joy such as a trip to a botanical garden, attending a show or movie they had been looking forward to seeing, or sharing a meal at a local restaurant. Tessie’s Touch will cover the cost of the activities and transportation.

 

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

Tessie’s Touch

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.


Each senior is paired one-on-one with a volunteer to facilitate a deeper connection through shared experiences and activities. JFS Staff will work with the pair to find an activity that brings them joy such as a trip to a botanical garden, attending a show or movie they had been looking forward to seeing, or sharing a meal at a local restaurant. Tessie’s Touch will cover the cost of the activities and transportation.

 

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.

Agency: RSVP Center of Essex and Hudson Counties

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07039

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Project Sunshine Volunteer - (Haskell, NJ) Support Pediatric Patients

Project Sunshine is an international volunteer-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy and play to pediatric patients. Our volunteers get firsthand experience of aiding the healing journey of children facing medical challenges through play, which allows for creative expression, creates an outlet for emotion, and minimizes the anxiety or stress the children experience. Project Sunshine volunteers do this through in-hospital visits, packing activity kits, and leading virtual play (TelePlay). We lead programming for medical facilities or disease specific nonprofits. 

Volunteer Opportunity & Application

We are currently seeking volunteers to support our in-person 'Here to Play' volunteer program at medical facility partners across the county. You can view more details about the program here: https://projectsunshine.org/here-to-play

Application: If you are interested in volunteering, please submit your information through Volunteer Match or apply on our website at https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application

Please email community@projectsunshine.org if you have any questions.

In Person Volunteering: 

Facilitate developmentally appropriate arts and crafts activities for children ages 3-18 based on the agreed upon schedule with the medical facility and your chapter   Bring a bright, positive attitude and energy  Arrive at your medical facility in a prompt and punctual manner Set up and break down of play area with program supplies  Keep an open line of communication with your chapter leader  Adhere to all Project Sunshine and medical facility policies 

In-person Training requirements:

Online Volunteer Application (15 minutes)  New Volunteer Training (1 hour)  New Volunteer Training Quiz (15 minutes)  In-person Volunteering Training (30 minutes)  Potential Facility Clearance Process 

Requirements: 

Must be 18+ years old  Must reside in the United States  Must pass a criminal background check  Must be COVID-19 vaccinated  Complete all Project Sunshine onboarding and medical facility clearance processes 

Qualifications: 

Passion for the Project Sunshine mission and working with children  Positive and openminded attitude Interest or experience working in the medical field (a plus)  Experience working with children 3-18 years old (a plus) 

Whether it is watching the smile on a child’s face grow when they yell 'BINGO!’ or seeing them use their brilliant imagination by bringing a ceramic animal to life, Project Sunshine volunteers get a unique experience brightening the lives of children who are going through hard times. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Project Sunshine, please apply on our website or find the application linked here: https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application?hsLang=en .

Agency: Project Sunshine

Project Sunshine is an international volunteer-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy and play to pediatric patients. Our volunteers get firsthand experience of aiding the healing journey of children facing medical challenges through play, which allows for creative expression, creates an outlet for emotion, and minimizes the anxiety or stress the children experience. Project Sunshine volunteers do this through in-hospital visits, packing activity kits, and leading virtual play (TelePlay). We lead programming for medical facilities or disease specific nonprofits. 

Volunteer Opportunity & Application

We are currently seeking volunteers to support our in-person 'Here to Play' volunteer program at medical facility partners across the county. You can view more details about the program here: https://projectsunshine.org/here-to-play

Application: If you are interested in volunteering, please submit your information through Volunteer Match or apply on our website at https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application

Please email community@projectsunshine.org if you have any questions.

In Person Volunteering: 

Facilitate developmentally appropriate arts and crafts activities for children ages 3-18 based on the agreed upon schedule with the medical facility and your chapter   Bring a bright, positive attitude and energy  Arrive at your medical facility in a prompt and punctual manner Set up and break down of play area with program supplies  Keep an open line of communication with your chapter leader  Adhere to all Project Sunshine and medical facility policies 

In-person Training requirements:

Online Volunteer Application (15 minutes)  New Volunteer Training (1 hour)  New Volunteer Training Quiz (15 minutes)  In-person Volunteering Training (30 minutes)  Potential Facility Clearance Process 

Requirements: 

Must be 18+ years old  Must reside in the United States  Must pass a criminal background check  Must be COVID-19 vaccinated  Complete all Project Sunshine onboarding and medical facility clearance processes 

Qualifications: 

Passion for the Project Sunshine mission and working with children  Positive and openminded attitude Interest or experience working in the medical field (a plus)  Experience working with children 3-18 years old (a plus) 

Whether it is watching the smile on a child’s face grow when they yell 'BINGO!’ or seeing them use their brilliant imagination by bringing a ceramic animal to life, Project Sunshine volunteers get a unique experience brightening the lives of children who are going through hard times. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Project Sunshine, please apply on our website or find the application linked here: https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application?hsLang=en .

Agency: Project Sunshine

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07420

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Volunteer Needed to Transport Food Donations - TUESDAYS

Tuesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers are needed to transport meals from The Peck School (Morristown, NJ) to Joi's Angels (East Orange, NJ), Meal pickup in Morristown (any time between 1-2PM), ~25 minute drive to East Orange.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Tuesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers are needed to transport meals from The Peck School (Morristown, NJ) to Joi's Angels (East Orange, NJ), Meal pickup in Morristown (any time between 1-2PM), ~25 minute drive to East Orange.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07960

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Volunteers Needed to Transport Food Donations - WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Wednesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07934

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Volunteers Needed to Transport Food Donations - FRIDAYS

Friday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Friday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Agency: Share My Meals

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 07934

Allow Groups: Yes