Marlboro Resident Donates 250 Thanksgiving Meals To Single Moms

MARLBORO, NJ — One Marlboro mom is giving back to the community this holiday season with her organization’s Thanksgiving Fundraiser, which donated 250 Thanksgiving meal items to single moms in the community.

Nicole Guzzardi, founder of the S.M.A.R.T. (Single Moms All Rise Together) Foundation, hosted the nonprofit’s Gobbler Giving Thanksgiving Fundraiser at Strickland’s Steakhouse on Monday.

The event provided Thanksgiving dinner fixings to single moms in need with the help of local donors and volunteers.

“We’ve had amazing people step up and donate,” Guzzardi told Patch. “We’ve had Baldor Food, Wegmans, Aldi, Eat Clean Bro, Greenleaf Meat Supplier…they all donated food or bags to us for the event.”

In addition to donated food and supplies, Guzzardi said Strickland’s themselves also donated their space, 250 desserts, and had their employers volunteer for the fundraiser.

“Our goal is to provide these moms and families with all the fixings they need for Thanksgiving dinner,” Guzzardi said. “And do so in hopes that they have a happy and fulfilled holiday.”

For Guzzardi, the struggle of providing as a single mom during the holiday season is something she knows well.

Before founding the S.M.A.R.T. Foundation, Guzzardi said that she and fellow single-mom friends would often talk about what it would be like to have a community of support during the holidays and throughout the year. Whether financial support or emotional, she found that having people to lean on was vital for her day-to-day life.

“We used to vent to each other and just say, you know, ‘it’d be great if we had a community and resources we can turn to and lean on for support,’” Guzzardi said.

From there, the idea for the S.M.A.R.T. Foundation was born.

Run by Guzzardi, Vice President Nadia Mascola, Secretary Oriana Calise and Treasurer Danielle Coffaro, the foundation aims to raise funds and provide essential resources to single mothers in the community.

Whether the moms need clothing, food, or emotional support for challenges they’re going through, Guzzardi said the S.M.A.R.T. Foundation’s mission is to be "the go-to for a single mom.”

“We want to provide for them [single moms] and provide for their children,” Guzzardi said. “We want to make sure that they’re living their best so that they’re, in turn, the best for their children.”

As the holiday season approaches, Guzzardi said the foundation will continue with their mission by hosting special events designed to give back to single moms and their families.

On Dec. 22, for example, Guzzardi said the foundation will host a Toy Drive to give back to underprivileged kids from single-income or single-parent homes in the community. There will be a hot chocolate station, gingerbread houses, a visit from Santa Claus, cupcakes and more at the event.

In addition to the December fundraiser, Guzzardi said the foundation will also be donating a house to a single mom in the new year.

“To see these children light up, and to see these mothers know that they have support is more rewarding than any dollar or amount you can put,” Guzzardi said. “It’s just such a great feeling to know that you’re making a difference and helping someone.”

To learn more about the S.M.A.R.T. Foundation, you can visit their website.