Located in southern New Jersey, we provide various types of assistance to men, women and children, free of charge. We run several different projects simultaneously to aid those in need while also producing volunteer opportunities for people to help their local community.
What We Collect
All Trial Sized Toiletries (deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, chapstick)
Individual tissue packets
Chapstick
Hard candies
Fun Size Candy (Any kind)
Individually packaged snacks (peanut butter crackers, chips, cookies, granola bars)
Bottled Water
Juice Boxes
Protein Shakes (All kind)
Family size boxes of cereal (Cocoa Puffs, Captain Crunch, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios are favorites!)
Ground Coffee
Disposable Bowls
Disposable Silverware
To Go Containers
Gallon Sized Ziplock Bags
Reusable Shopping Bags
Baby Diapers (All sizes)
Baby Wipes
Baby Formula (All types)
Full Size Baby Toiletries (baby shampoo, conditioner, baby wash, baby lotion, diaper rash cream)
Brand new or very gently used baby clothes (sizes preemie to 6 months ONLY) receiving blankets, bibs, socks Handmade Baby Blankets, Hats & Sweaters
Full Sized Toiletries (Men & Women shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, deodorant, lotion, shaving cream, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste)
Feminine Products
Brand New Underwear (ALL SIZES! Women, girls, boys and men)
Full Size Cleaning Supplies (Toilet bowl cleaner, toilet brushes, Mr Clean, Windex, dish soap, scrub brushes, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, sponges, Lysol wipes, dustpan & brush, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels) and Laundry Baskets
Holiday Blankets (We collect brand new blankets for every major holiday to be distributed to every child in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Christopher's Hospital)
WINTER ONLY! Adult hats, gloves, socks & handwarmers. Coats & Hoodies men's size XL and above
Some of our most
popular projects include:
TREATS ON THE STREET
Every Sunday a group of Team Members meet at Aviator Park in Philadelphia where we set up tables and provide hot coffee, milk and cereal, donuts, pastries, cookies, bottled water, Blessing Bags and any other goodies that are donated during week. We also have individuals and organizations that offer to prepare hot meals for us each week. We have served lasagna, chili & rice, breakfast casseroles and a full turkey dinner! In the spring and summer months we distribute extra bottled water and Gatorade and we also provide free "Haircuts in the Park" each month. In the fall and winter we set up a "Mobile Boutique on the Street" where we distribute hoodies, jeans, jackets, hats, gloves and other cold weather items that are donated to us. Hand warmers and socks are also a big necessity in the cooler months.
If you are interested in cooking or joining us to serve, please email us at fortheloveofpetespantry@gmail.com
NEW BEGINNINGS BASKETS
New Beginnings Baskets are laundry baskets filled with cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, paper products, dust pans and more! These baskets are presented to women at the local Domestic Violence Safe Houses when they move into their new homes as a "New Beginning" gift. This project is run by Suzanne Steinbach and we distribute several baskets a month as women move on to bigger and better things.
BLESSING BAGS
These bags are distributed every Sunday during our Treats on the Streets. Gallon sized Ziploc bags filled with TRIAL SIZE shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, chapstick and individually wrapped snacks. This project is run by the Pellegrino Family and thanks to their support we distribute over 100 Blessing Bags each week!
BABY BUNDLES
Large reusable shopping bags filled with diapers, wipes, baby wash, baby lotion, baby shampoo, diaper rash cream, newborn outfits, bibs, socks, receiving blankets and handmade baby blankets. These bags are distributed to local hospitals and clinics and distributed to low income moms in need. This project is run by Aurelia, Addison and Adam McManis and thanks to their dedication we are able to keep the hospitals and clinics fully stocked at all times.
HOLIDAY BLANKET PROJECT
This project provides brand new holiday blankets to children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St Christopher's Hospital. Blankets are collected for each major holiday (Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas to name a few!) and they are delivered to the hospital where the nurses wrap each child in some holiday love! The goal each holiday is 35 blankets and if we collect more they are shared with other units at the hospital.
Volunteer Opportunities
Here are just a few suggestions for volunteer opportunities that can be done individually or with a group... with adults and kids alike!
Treats on the Streets take place every Sunday (unless there is a race or parade). We meet at 20th & Race in Philly (Aviator Park) at 9:30am. We set up, serve (hot food, snacks, cereal, blessing bags, socks, coffee, tea and more!) clean up and are on our way home in less than an hour. Adults and kids (must be supervised} are always welcome to join us. No appointment is necessary... you can just show up!
We have access to a full kitchen at a local Church. If you would like to get a group together, we can meet at the Church and bake cookies. This is a great project for adults and kids alike! Each session usually takes 2-2 1/2 hours. Email or message us for more information and to schedule a date.
Gather your family and friends and bake from home for us! Cookies, brownies, Rice Krispie treats... whatever your specialty is! Package or bag up each item individually for easy distribution. If you want to drop off your delicacies we will distribute them at Sunday's Treats on the Streets or you can bring them to Philly and serve with us.
We are always looking for groups or individuals to make meals for us to serve. Some suggestions are chili, baked ziti, macaroni & cheese, rice & beans, breakfast casserole, etc. We typically feed 75-100 people each Sunday but you can cook as much or as little as you like.
SANDWICH SHENANIGANS! Sandwiches are a popular addition to Treats on the Streets. It allows the people we serve to have something to take with them to eat later. The most common sandwiches people make are peanut butter and jelly but turkey and/or cheese is a real favorite! Make as many or as few as you like.
Want to help the homeless? Hold a BLESSING BAG Event! Collect TRIAL SIZED toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, tissues, Chapstick, individually packaged snacks) and put one of each item in a gallon sized Ziploc bag! You have now made a Blessing Bag! We distribute 75-100 every Sunday so we always need them! You can make as many as you like!
Do you love babies? Do a BABY BUNDLE Drive! What goes in a Baby Bundle? Diapers (we collect ALL SIZES!) baby wipes, baby shampoo, conditioner, baby lotion, baby wash, diaper rash cream, brand new or very gently used baby clothing (sizes preemie to 6 months only) receiving blankets, bibs, socks, handmade baby blankets, hats & sweaters, brand new infant toys. You can hold a collection of any or all these items and our Baby Bundle Team will assemble the bags! You can hold a collection for any or all of these items.
Want to help women affected by domestic violence? Coordinate a NEW BEGINNINGS Party! When a woman moves from the Domestic Violence Safe House into a place of their own, we present them with a laundry basket filled with full size cleaning supplies. Have a party and ask each guest to bring a laundry basket and a few items! Windex, Mr Clean, bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, dish soap, scrub brushes, sponges, Lysol wipes, dustpan & brush, laundry soap, dryer sheets, paper towels and toilet paper are all items that go into these laundry baskets!
UNDERWEAR EXTRAVAGANZA! We have an ongoing need for brand new underwear! We receive requests from local school districts, our friends on the street, the Domestic Violence Safe House, and the Human Trafficking Unit. You can hold an UNDIES DRIVE! Collect brand new packages of underwear ... ALL SIZES ... women, girls, boys and men! You will be filling a huge need!
Do you knit or crochet? We have an ongoing need for handmade baby blankets, sweaters, and hats for our Baby Bundle Project.
Have A Suggestion?
If you have a suggestion for an activity or a project please let us know. We are always open to new ideas. Colin Kirk came to us with a plan to provide brand new boots and sneakers to all of the unhoused men and women we serve every week with our Treats on the Street Project. Thanks to Colin's hard work, dedication and commitment we were able to do just that!
Watch the video below as his dream comes to life!