5 Matawan-Aberdeen Nonprofits To Support This Holiday Season

MATAWAN, NJ — If you’re like many of your Matawan-Aberdeen neighbors, you may spend a good part of the holiday season with your credit card in hand, buying gifts for family and friends. Coming up soon is a chance to give back to the local community.

Giving Tuesday, which in 2024 falls on Dec. 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups. Since 2012, nonprofits worldwide have used the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the Matawan-Aberdeen area.

Here are five local nonprofits to consider getting behind on Giving Tuesday:

1. Matawan Community Food Pantry: The Matawan Community Food Pantry is sponsored by Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Aberdeen and First Presbyterian Church of Matawan. It is located at the Borough Municipal Community Center, 201 Broad & Church Street in Matawan. The Food Pantry helps to carry out the mission of First Presbyterian Church by “sharing God’s gifts” and “exemplifying God’s love." The Food Pantry provides food to individuals and families in need in our local community. They provide two large bags of groceries to community members in need on the last Saturday morning of every month. During Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the pantry accepts donations of frozen turkeys, hams, special holiday foods, and fresh foods, which are then distributed to the community. Learn more and how to help: https://firstpresmatawan.org/c...

2. Monmouth County SPCA: Helping the animals of Monmouth County. Always looking for item drop offs, pet food drop offs, volunteers or monetary donations.

3. 180 Turning Lives Around: Helping women and children escape domestic violence relationships. Located in Hazlet, call (732) 264-4360

4. The Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation: For teens and women escaping domestic violence and missing persons help. Founded in honor of a 25-year-old Freehold woman who was killed by her abusive boyfriend. How you can help: https://www.snpfoundation.org/

5. Court Appointed Special Advocates of Middlesex County: Helping children placed in foster care. Each year, hundreds of Middlesex County children spend time in foster care. Often confused, frightened and caught in multiple government systems, these children need a dedicated, caring adult looking out solely for their best interests. By donating an average of just few hours a week, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) make a real and lasting difference in the lives of these vulnerable children. CASA of Middlesex County is seeking volunteers to help the many Middlesex County children who lack an advocate in their corner. They train and support our volunteers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in helping children in foster care. Learn more: https://casaofmiddlesexcounty.org/