The Gift of Gratitude

The beginning of fall marks a shift in the weather: brightly colored leaves, cooler days, and the start to the holidays. In addition to the pumpkin-spiced foods, the warm drinks, and the sweaters and coats many are more than happy to pull out of storage, there seems to be a feeling of gratitude in the air. The beginning of fall is a time to take stock of the things you’re grateful for, and a time to gather your family together and create new memories.

While we are grateful for our own lives, we can also spread that feeling to others by giving back to the community around us. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, here are a few ways that West Orange and the surrounding towns are sharing that gratitude.

“Serve Neighbors In Need” is the mission of Toni’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen turned full meal service started in 1982. Parishioners at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Montclair set out with the intention to help their neighbors, and this grew into a community of now more than two thousand volunteers.

I was lucky enough to get a tour of the facility. The space was warm and welcoming. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that not only does Toni’s Kitchen serve food, but they have a thrift store available as well!

If you are interested in donating to the kitchen, they have a list of foods they need the most, as well as clothing items and financial donations!

For a way to give back right in your hometown, West Orange’s own Holy Trinity Church also hosts a soup kitchen-- Christine’s Kitchen, open for free lunch on Saturdays from 12 to 1PM. The food pantry is open on Tuesdays, and their thrift store is currently looking for fall clothes!

The wider Essex County community is also helped by MEND Hunger Relief, a food pantry that also has mobile markets through their “MEND on the Move” program. As seen on their website, MEND’s goal is to ensure “everyone in their community has access to nutritious food”.

Want to help people state-wide? The Jersey Cares Coat Drive is another place to help serve your greater community. They have collected and given out thousands of winter coats to people in need.Their donation spots will be open again in November, just in time for Thanksgiving!

Whether it’s at home or across the state, there are plenty of ways to help give holiday cheer around the West Orange area. Consider giving the gift of gratitude this season and contribute to one of these groups!