Sheri Berkery|The Courier-Post
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Children across South Jersey are counting down to the holidays after writing their wish lists for toys, bikes, clothes and more.
But depending on their family's circumstances, some kids might have a slim chance of receiving any ofthe items they ask for.
Food is even a more pressing issue for some local families. Nearly 200,000 people in South Jersey are food insecure, according to the Food Bank of South Jersey.
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The need is great, but so is South Jersey's generosity: A number of communities and nonprofit groups could help fulfill wishes through toy collections and food drives.
They just need your help.
If you want to give locally, you have your choice of efforts to support. Here are some of the area toy and food drives being held locally. If you'd like your drive added to this list, please email sberkery@gannettnj.com.
Bangz Hair Design
Collecting: New toys to be donated throughCamden FOP.
Where: Bangz Hair Design, 711 N. Kings Highway; Johnny's Pizza, 717 N. Kings Highway
More info:facebook.com/Bangzhair/
Camden County Women's Center
Collecting: The domestic violence and support center is collecting toys for clients' children.
Where: 311 Market St., Camden
Deadline: Dec 18
More info: Mindy, 856-963-5668; https://www.camdencountywomenscenter.org
Center for Family Services
Collecting: The Camden-based charity posts a full list of most wanted/needed items on its website atcenterffs.org/get-involved/campaigns/holiday-gift-project. Top items include clothing such as winter coats and pajamas for sizes newborn through adult; books, educational toys, sports equipment and store gift cards. All gifts should be unwrapped.
Where: Donations can be dropped off at the following sites: The Promenade at Sagemore (concierge desk), Marlton; Cherry Hill Mall (mall management office); Old Navy stores in Deptford and Turnersville; Center for Family Services offices in Voorhees and Egg Harbor Township.
Deadline: Dec. 13 at drop-off locations, but donations are accepted online atcenterffs.org/donate/donate-holiday-gift-projectand gifts cards for teens and families can be delivered or mailed to Center for Family Services, Attn: Development Dept., One Alpha Ave., Voorhees, NJ 08043.
More info:856-964-1990 orcenterffs.org/donate/donate-holiday-gift-project
Conservatory Without Walls, Moorestown
Collecting: New, unwrapped toys and gift cards for local nonprofit Foster the Family. The organization supports resource parents and children in foster care.
Where: Conservatory Without Walls, 332 Newbold Ave., Moorestown
Deadline: Dec. 15
More info:Denise Casario, 856-912-6759 or 856-778-9432; cwwmus@aol.com
Famous Razor Barber Shop
Collecting: Toys for Burlington County Special Services School. Desired items include coloring books, crayons, toy cars and trucks, dolls, baby toys, tag blankets, sensory toys and games.
Where: Famous Razor Barber Shop, 10 Trading Post Way, Medford Lakes
Deadline: Dec. 18
More info:facebook.com/famousrazor
Haddon Township Toy & Food Drive
Collecting: Unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, gift certificates and monetary donations for Haddon Township families.
Where:Haddon Township Municipal Building, Annex Building, Haddon Township schools and the Westmont Fire Company.
Deadline: Dec. 18.
More info: Contact Kate Burns at 856-833-6267 orkburns@haddontwp.com
Food drive on behalf of Food Bank of SJ
Collecting:South Jersey resident Kathy Denz is holding her 20th annual food drive with drop-off points throughout the region. All donationsgo to Food Bank of South Jersey. Nonperishable food items (no glass containers) can be dropped off at a number of locations. Just look for the official Food Bank of South Jersey collection bins.
Where:
- All Eyes on Me LED (Berlin Mart) 41 Clementon Road,Berlin, store #223
- Aquilino Chiropractic Glendale Executive Campus, 1000 White Horse Road, Suite 702, Voorhees; 856-784-0676
- David Karbasian, Esq.,900 North Kings Highway, Suite308, Cherry Hill; 856-667-4666
- Eastern Neurodiagnostic Associates, P.C., 2301 E. Evesham Road,Voorhees;856-651-0060
- Ivy Rehab 1436 Marlton Pike East, Cherry Hill; 856-429-8000
- Law Office of Hasner & Hasner, 112 W. Atlantic Ave., Clementon;856-282-0777
- Residence, 27 East Chestnut Ave., Bellmawr
- Residence, 124 Holly Drive,Woodbury
- VFW Post 3324, 600 North Black Horse Pike, Runnemede
FOP Penn Jersey Lodge 30
Collecting: The FOP, which represents the officers of DRPA and PATCO, will gather new,unwrapped toys in their original packaging are being collected at PATCO stations.
Where: All New Jersey PATCO stations between 6 and 10 a.m.
Deadline: Dec. 20.
More info:fop30.org
Lamp Post Diner, Clementon
Collecting: New, unwrapped toys (no stuffed animals because of risk of germs)for patients in the pediatric care units of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.
Where: Lamp Post Diner, 1378 Little Gloucester Road, Clementon
Deadline: Dec. 20
More info:facebook.com/LampPostDiner
MFC Authentics & Framing, Cherry Hill
Collecting: The business is partnering with the NFL Alumni Association - Caring for Kids to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys.
Where: MFC Authentics & Framing, 1871 Route 70 East, Heritage Square Shopping Center, Cherry Hill
Deadline: Dec. 20
More info:facebook.com/mfcauthentics
Winner Ford of Cherry Hill
Collecting:Unwrapped toy donations to help make the holidays brighter for children spending the holidays at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Where: Winner Ford showroom, 250 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Cherry Hill
Deadline: Before Dec. 23 toy delivery
More info: 888-433-4613;winnerford.com
Sheri Berkery is the trending reporter at the Courier-Post, covering the topics that people are talking about on social media and in real life. If you think you have a story idea that’s a “talker,” contact her at 856.486.2673 or sberkery@gannettnj.com
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