Toy Drives, Food Pantries and Other Volunteer/Donation Opportunities in Staten Island for the Holidays
The holiday season is a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. There are many ways to give back to the community and plenty of Staten Island volunteer opportunities this year. You can donate to toy or coat drive, dress like Santa Claus and visit children in need, collect food for a local food pantry, and so much more. And if you prefer to make a difference by making a monetary donation, there are many important and worthwhile organizations and charities on Staten Island that need financial support. Browse our guide for opportunities for kids, families, and individuals to help fellow Staten Islanders this holiday season.
Catholic Charities of Staten Island
The organization serves the Staten Island community through a variety of direct services. These services include infant and preschool daycare, residential and other programs for developmentally challenged youth, social services to families in crisis, assistance to senior citizens, and more. To learn how you can support the organization, visit the website.
City Harvest
City Harvest is a food rescue organization that brings fresh, nutritious food to communities throughout NYC, free of charge, to help feed New Yorkers who are experiencing food insecurity. Since 1982, City Harvest has rescued and delivered over 1 billion pounds of food to help feed New Yorkers in need. There are many ways to support the organization. You can make a donation, hold a food drive, or volunteer.
Meals On Wheels Of Staten Island
Meals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently, by delivering two meals per day to senior citizens who can no longer shop for or prepare their own meals. Anyone older than 18 with a driver’s license and 2 free hours one morning per week can apply to deliver meals.
New York Cares
The organization holds an annual coat drive and addresses issues including hunger and homelessness. Volunteers serve in schools, soup kitchens, senior centers, public parks, libraries, and other nonprofits. Volunteer projects are in all five boroughs, designed to suit your schedule and your interests.
One Warm Coat
One Warm Coat promotes sustainability while providing resources on where to donate coats to individuals in need. Use their search tab to locate coat drives all over Staten Island, New York and the United States.
Project Hospitality
This Staten Island-based organization serves those in need, including the poor, hungry, and homeless residents of the borough. You can make a donation, donate food or supplies, or volunteer (check out the many ways to volunteer on the website). Food donations can be dropped off at the Community Services Center at 514 Bay St. Items in greatest demand include canned meats, fish and vegetables, fruit or vegetable juices, pasta and tomato sauce, non-perishable milk, cereals, and rice.
Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund
In memory of Police Officer Richard Gardner, Jr., the organization has been donating toys at Christmas time to kids in need since 1995. Every year, the organization reaches out to underprivileged families, sick children, underprivileged daycare centers, children without families, organizations assisting families of domestic violence, underprivileged churches, and children with sick parents.
Secret Sandy Claus Project
The organization originally began as a way to deliver toys and relief items to thousands of families affected by Hurricane Sandy. It has since helped many more children in need, whether they be children battling cancer, with a disability, experiencing homelessness, in a foster home, or who are economically disadvantaged.
South Shore Community Pantry
The mission of this organization is to provide an uplifting experience through food, advice, and mental stability. Among the ways it helps those in need, it holds fundraisers to provide necessities including clothing, toiletries, and blankets. Check out the website to learn more, including ways to support the organization.
Staten Island Board of Realtors
The Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) is requesting donations of new children’s coats, which will be distributed to local kids in need through the organization’s “Keeping Kids Warm” initiative. Check the website for ways to donate and support the organization.
Toys For Tots
The organization is run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas. Check the website for ways on how to donate and support the organization.
Where To Turn’s Holiday Toy Drive
This organization works to provide crisis relief services for victims of tragedies by aiding them in obtaining the help they need during the recovery process. Each year, the organization collects and distributes toys through its warehouse at 22 Brienna Court. Check the website or email Dennis McKeon at dennis.mckeon@where-to-turn.org for details about the drive.
Join in spreading holiday cheer for campers at Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp, Staten Island, a free camp for children with cancer and their siblings! Hosted by David Harris Collection. Please bring 2 unwrapped new toys for ages 6-16. The ticket includes wine, spirits, horhors d’oeuvres, DJ, 50/50, and plenty of fun!
