Free Christmas and holiday assistance in Bergen County.
Thousands of families in Bergen County New Jersey receive help at Christmas and other major holidays. Some examples of the assistance provided may be a free Christmas gift certificate, free toys for a child, clothing, or a hot holiday meal for the entire family. Find details on the free Toys for Tots, the Angel Tree and Adopt a Family programs in Bergen County below. When applying for help (whether at Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas), proof of income and residency will be required.
Most of the assistance if for children under the age of 18, single mom run homes and the elderly. Get everything from Thanksgiving or Christmas food baskets to Legos, matchbox cars, clothes, computers or video games and gift cards too. Another item to remember is that the charities coordinate their services, including Toys for Tots as well as Angel Tree in Bergen County. This will prevent the same resident from receive holiday assistance from more than one agency at the same time.
Also, the application period will be several weeks before the holiday occurs. So gifts or presents for a child need to be requested in October or November, and Thanksgiving meal applications are usually distributed in November. Find the leading agencies in Bergen County for seniors as well as low income families to call for help during the Christmas season.
Greater Bergen Community Action
Location is 392 Main St, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Call 201-968-0200
Donations of money, new, unwrapped toys, clothing, winter hats, toiletries and more are accepted. The items are then given out to income qualified families to use as a Christmas present. They can also direct residents to Toys for Tots and other programs.
Salvation Army Center in Bergen County and Hackensack
Address is 436 Union St, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. Telephone number - (201) 342-6531 or (862) 774-1208
Vouchers to pay for furniture or clothing, financial aid, shelter and more are provided. During the winter months income qualified families can apply for holiday assistance, including Adopt a Family. There is also home delivery for senior citizens too of a Christmas meal. They have free Thanksgiving dinner and meals on Bergen County, gift cards for kids from age 0 to 17, toys, Christmas presents and more.
Passaic Teen Center
228 Hope Avenue, Passaic, NJ. Phone: 973-473-5755
The non-profit helps only boys under the age of 18. Clothing, socks, sweatpants, bedding, sheets, personal hygiene items and more is provided year round and at Christmas.
On Our Own Self-Help Center and Sunset Rotary Club’s at Christ Church
251 State St, Hackensack, New Jersey. Dial 201.489.8402
Anyone can stop in for the Annual Holiday Dinner. There are no income or other requirements. Food can be provided to the homeless, unemployed, and families living in poverty.
Family Promise of Bergen County and Ridgewood United Methodist Church
Address: 100 Dayton St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Dial 201.833.8009
Christmas meals, referrals to toys and Angel Tree programs, and other assistance is arranged.
Social Service Association of Ridgewood & Vicinity
Address is 6 Station Plaza, Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Main Phone - (201) 444-2980
The charity offers free Thanksgiving baskets, gifts during Christmas holidays, as well as childrens birthday bags and back to school programs as well as supplies. Children can also enroll into Christmas toy programs and senior citizens in Bergen County may be given a meal too.
Toys for Tots – Bergen County location
The US Marine Corps and charities work on this service. There may be new, unwrapped gifts (toys, clothing, boots, games, and more) given to households with children under the age of 13. Get everything from games to electronics, sneakers, Match box or hot wheels cars, legos, Christmas ornaments and so much more. The main application point is here. https://dover-nj.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=100&nPreviewInd=200&nRedirectInd=3.
- There is another charity that often participates as well to help low-income Bergen County families. Learn more, and Apply online.
Hoboken Police Department
Telephone: 201.420.2100
The location only helps residents of Little Ferry, Moonachie and Hoboken. Staff collect gifts from the community. The offices will provide toys, games, and the items to children and teenagers in need.
Market Street Mission
Shelter and program location is 9 Market St, Morristown, New Jersey 07960. Call (973) 538-0431
They help the homeless during the holidays. Free hot meals at Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Some small gifts for homeless kids, clothes, and a holiday party.
Center For Food Action - West Side Worship Center COGOP
Address is 192 W Demarest Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631. Telephone - (201) 569-1804
They help feed the unemployed, working poor, and struggling in Bergen County, including at the holidays. Get small Christmas toys, groceries for holiday meals, Turkey dinners with all the toppings and much more.
Volunteer Center of Bergen County
The office address is 64 Passaic St, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Call 201.489.9454 for details
The resource known as All Wrapped Up Holiday Giving is a partnership of local charities and non-profits. They do not give gifts directly to people, but may have referrals to Angel Tree and other programs.
Paramus Social Services
Address is 1 West Jockish Square, Paramus, NJ 07652. Phone: 201-265 2100
After an intake/assessment process, holiday food baskets may be passed out to Paramus residents only. There may be Thanksgiving turkeys, toppings, side items, and more for the less fortunate in Bergen County.
Bergen County Board of Social Services
216 Route 17 North, Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662. Call (201) 368-4200
Some years, the government agency has information on gift giving programs. This will only be for existing clients that receive public aid.
Catholic Charities - Bergen County holiday and Christmas help
Multiple churches around the county help the less fortunate year round and during the holidays. They give out financial aid, volunteers pass out free Turkeys at Thanksgiving, and there are adopt a Family Christmas toys, games, books, and electronics. The poor, single moms, immigrants and other can get help. More on Catholic Charities Bergen County free holiday help.
Jewish Family & Children's Services of Northern NJ
Bergen County office is at 1485 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Call (201) 837-9090
A free cornet pantry, resources for kids (including food, Christmas toys, after school), meals on wheels for seniors and other assistance is offered. They try to ramp up/increase help during the holidays.
Salvation Army – Englewood office
Main address: 380 S. VanBrunt St, Englewood, NJ 07631. Phone - (201) 503-9400
The programs include counseling, Adopt-a-Family, toys, and a thrift store. This site covers Englewood, and Fort Lee area.
Township of Teaneck
Location of office - 818 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666. Call (201) 837-1600
Town residents can seek help from a free toy drive or Thanksgiving food basket program.
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