Donations and Volunteering

Shelter Wishlist

Thank you for your consideration in donating to the Center!

Needed Items and Wishlist

As our needs change, before dropping off any donations at the Center, all donations must be confirmed, and a delivery date/time arranged with Gineen Brady at 201-336-6491.

At this time, the shelter is need of the following NEW items for ADULTS:

Men and Women’s undergarments M, L, XL

T-Shirt, long and short sleeve Adults M, L, XL

Sweat Pants / Shirts for Men and Women – M, L, XL

New Sneakers

Flip-flops for Showering 

  • We currently accept only new, casual sportswear/clothing for men/women (ages 20 - 60’s), that is appropriate for a shelter setting.
  • New men and women’s short / long sleeve tee-shirts, Henley’s, underwear M to 2XL, and women’s sports bras M to 2XL.
  • Seasonally appropriate, new men and women’s coats / jackets, and zip-up hooded sweatshirts with pockets.
  • New flip-flops, sizes 7 to 13, for men and women (are used as shower shoes).
  • New, full-sized toiletries, as well as other personal care products: shaving cream, disposable razors, body lotion, shampoo/conditioner, and body wash.
  • Watches with alarms on them.
  • Gift cards in any denomination (Target, Walmart, Visa) so that the Center may purchase items as our needs change. We can also provide our guests, who are moving into permanent housing, with a gift card for basics to help set up their home.

Presently, we are not accepting the following items:

  • Feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence products, such as Depends
  • Toothbrushes/toothpaste
  • Socks
  • Toiletries

In the warmer weather, we always need the following items:

  • Lightweight summer tee shirts for men and women, M to 3XL
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Sunglasses, sunhats, sun visors

We are currently looking for groups to sponsor and serve a special lunch.

Please call 201-336-6491 for more details on sponsoring and serving lunch for our guests.

We are currently in need of donations of breakfast items:

  • Individual bottles of orange, apple, or cranberry juices
  • Individually wrapped muffins, Danish, pound cake
  • Bananas and oranges (soft fruit) or individual fruit cups
  • Soft breakfast bars

Small, individual boxes of assorted cereal

We kindly ask any that donations of food items and pantry products be donated directly to the Center for Food Action, or your local food pantry.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Serve lunch as a group
  • Serving lunch at the center
  • Prepare 85 bagged lunches: build a bag or work at stations

Sample Menu

  1. Choice of whole wheat or white bread
  2. Choice of two different cold cuts and cheese combinations: turkey and cheese or ham and cheese or roast beef and cheese, just cold cuts no cheese, etc.(no high sodium cold cuts such as salami or bologna)
  3. Fresh fruit: either orange or banana or apple (soft fruit)
  4. Drink (juice or bottled water)
  5. Optional homemade or store bought cookies or chips
  6. Optional soup or salads (please bring appropriate containers for serving)
  7. Supply condiments / napkins / utensils appropriate for lunch being served

Please note:

  • We need three to four servers; no children under 14 years of age
  • Each station has one server:
    • Lunch bag (with choice of sandwich) server
    • Fruit server
    • Drink server
    • Optional chips, cookies, soups, or salad server
  • Each child server must have adult supervision
  • Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please arrive at 11 a.m. for set up
  • We handle clean-up

Additional Lunch Information

Additional ideas to make your lunch special:

  • If children are participating, draw designs on lunch bags or add notes in lunch bags (please write non-secular messages if possible)
  • Make centerpieces for the tables
  • Design placards identifying groups, and include the menu
  • Supplement lunch with a drive for needed items for shelter (please ask for details)

Thank you for making a difference. Please contact Gineen Brady at 201-336-6491 for more information.

Contact Us

 Christina Baluja

Acting Director

Phone: 201-336-6475 • Fax: 201-488-9298

Address: 120 South River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601


 Bergen County Department of Human Services

One Bergen County Plaza  • 2nd Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076

Phone: 201-336-7474 • Fax: 201-336-7450

Hours: 8:30 am - 8:30 pm (varies by division)