Social Action at the JCC

New at the JCC!

Boxed with Love

On the first Sunday of each month, beginning June 7, members of the Scotch Plains/Fanwood community can pick up pre-packaged food boxes at the JCC.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS YOU CAN HELP!

ONE
Bring a fully stocked food box* to the JCC the Friday before each monthly Sunday.  Donation drop-off time is 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Upcoming Drop-off Dates
Friday, June 5
Friday, July 3
Friday, July 31
Friday, September 4

Please include the following in a box (preferable) or reusable grocery bag: 

2 boxes of pasta
2 jars of pasta sauce
1 14 oz box or bag of white rice
2 cans of black beans
1 box of Cheerios or similar cereal
1 can of vegetables
2 cans of soup

*Generic or name brand products accepted

TWO
You can also sign up each month to help distribute food boxes.

Upcoming Distribution Dates
Sunday, June 7
Sunday, July 5
Sunday, August 2
Sunday, September 6

Sign up here

THREE
Donate money and we will do the shopping!

Donate here
Questions? Please contact Jodi Hotra, Membership Director, at jhotra@jccnj,org or 908-889-8800 x235. 

Helping Moms, Changing Lives

We've partnered with Moms Helping Moms Foundation (MHM), a baby supply, diaper and period supply bank dedicated to creating a future without childhood poverty by providing babies with the essentials to ensure a safe and healthy start.

Two Ways to Help

Sunday, June 21 - Wednesday, July 8
DONATE to our virtual diaper drive to benefit Moms Helping Moms located in Warren. 

Donate here

Wednesday, July 8 • 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER at the location in Warren, learn about the MHM foundation, and help for 2 hours. Advance registration is required.

Register Here

About Moms Helping Moms (MHM)

Serving Underserved Families in New Jersey

MHM collect new and gently used baby items, diapers and period supplies and with the help of over 800 volunteers, distribute them through community service partners to underserved families who reside all throughout the state of New Jersey.

Bagged with Love

The JCC of Central NJ partners with Temple Emanu-El in Westfield on behalf of the Mandy Reichman Feeding program which provides food and support to families in Union County. The Mandy Reichman Feeding program, also known as Bagged with Love, was founded in in memory of Mandy Reichman (daughter of long-time Temple Emanu-El preschool teacher Meryl Reichman) who was passionate about feeding her community. 

• Help us pack 100 emergency food bags to Jewish Family Services of Central NJ each month!
• Last year, Bridges distributed 120,000 meals. Make sandwiches and put them together in a brown paper bag with fruit, snacks and drink. Don’t forget to decorate the bag! Having brightly colored creatively designed bags is wonderful.

2026-27 Bagged with Love Dates

At the JCC
Wednesday, September 23 • 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 • 6:00 p.m.
Monday, January 18 (MLK Day) • 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17 • 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19 • 6:00 p.m.

At Temple Emanu-El, Westfield
Wednesday, October 28 • 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 16 • 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24 • 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 14 • 5:00 p.m. 

Sign up here

There are many ways to get involved!

• Come in person to bag the food

• Shop for the needed items listed below for the food bags. We prefer that the items donated to the food pantry be Kosher, but, if that is not possible, please know that nothing here goes to waste! Please note that Bowl and Basket items (ShopRite brand) are listed because they are the most affordable and they are kosher.  
  • Bowl and Basket Vegetable Oil – 16 oz. or larger
  • Bowl and Basket Strawberry Preserves
  • Bowl and Basket Cereals
  • Bowl and Basket Pastas
  • Tuna - preferably solid white in oil or water
  • Peanut Butter
  • Bowl and Basket Rice – preferably 2 lb. bags
  • Snack Pack Puddings – 4 packs
  • Bowl and Basket Saltine Crackers – or any other brand they find on sale
  • Dish Detergent – for hand washing, NOT dishwasher soap
  • Canned Fruits – peaches, pineapple
  • Bowl and Basket Pancake Syrup
  • Frozen Waffles – Shoprite carries a brand called “Batter Up” (not expensive)
  • Bowl and Basket Iodized Salt
  • Shampoo/Conditioners
  • Individual rolls of bath tissue
  • Instant Oatmeal

• Help spread the word or launch a collection (e.g., see items above)
  
  
• Volunteer to drive the bags over to Jewish Family Services or Bridges Outreach with your family
  
  
• Make a donation to help subsidize the program

DONATE