Winter Coat Drive Planned For Families In Need In Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — As the temperatures begin to drop as we approach winter, Mendham Borough is helping sponsor a winter coat collection to distribute to people in need.

The collection period will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 18, and the Mendham Borough Public Works garage, 37 Ironia Road, will serve as the drop-off location.

The donated coats should all be new or gently used, officials said.

All donated goods will be distributed among a number of needy New Jersey communities.

Monarch Housing Associates, a non-profit based in Cranford, recently released its 2023 Point-In-Time Count of the Homeless report, which includes data collected by county staff, government officials and local nonprofit organizations that surveyed people staying outdoors in late January.

On the night of Jan. 24, 2023, a total of 10,267 people were experiencing homelessness in the State of New Jersey, according to the 2023 point-in-time count.

The report shows that Morris County had a total of 465 people experiencing homelessness as of January, which represents four percent of the state's unhoused population. In Morristown, 226 people were counted, which is about 48 percent of the county's overall total.

The Borough of Mendham is also collaborating with the Chester Mendham Food Pantry and will be collecting food donations for the local food pantry.

As of Nov. 1, the food pantry is in need of the following items:

• Chili
• Stew
• Syrup Pancake/Biscuit Mix
• Salad Dressing
• All Condiments (Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo)
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Drinks/Juice Boxes
• Snacks
• Cookies
• Crackers
• Hot Cereal
• Plain Rice
• Side Dishes
• Dish Deter
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorant