Make A Difference In Princeton: Where To Give Back This November

PRINCETON, NJ — Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 1 this year, but you don't have to wait until then to make a difference close to home.

Throughout November, local nonprofits, food pantries, animal rescues, community organizations and other groups are looking for donations, volunteers and other forms of support. Whether you have a few hours to give, items to donate or simply want to support a local cause financially, there are plenty of ways to help.

Patch rounded up organizations and opportunities to give back in and around Princeton. Needs and volunteer opportunities can change, so check directly with each organization for the latest information.

Here are some ways to make a difference in Princeton this November:

Arm In Arm

Arm In Arm is a Mercer County nonprofit, formerly known as The Crisis Ministry, that works on food, housing and job stability. Its Princeton pantry is in the basement of Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau St. It is open Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday from 1:30 to 7 p.m.

Its holiday wish list on Princeton University’s 2026 outreach page includes Maseca corn flour, canned low-fructose fruit, canned low-sodium vegetables and canned tuna, salmon, chicken or chili, with no glass containers. Items can be dropped off Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteers sign up for Monday and Wednesday morning shifts, 9 a.m. to noon, through its GivePulse page. New volunteers watch a short orientation video and complete a volunteer agreement.

Learn more about volunteering with Arm In Arm.

Princeton Mobile Food Pantry

The Princeton Mobile Food Pantry delivers fresh groceries every two weeks to Princeton Public Schools families facing food insecurity. It is run by volunteers.

Its current holiday “Pantry Drive” list asks for spices such as allspice and cayenne pepper, plus monetary gifts or McCaffrey’s gift cards. Email info@pmfpantry.org to ask about organizing a drive, dropping off items or volunteering as a driver or packer. The pantry’s Donate and Volunteer pages are linked on its website.

Learn more about donating to the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry.

Send Hunger Packing Princeton

Send Hunger Packing Princeton, based at Princeton Human Services, works to make sure students don’t go hungry. It delivers 10-pound bags of fresh produce through Princeton Public Schools to families of students who receive free or reduced-price lunch.

It also runs community gardens, a vertical farm at Littlebrook Elementary School and a snack program at the middle school. The group doesn’t collect food directly. Donations and volunteer sign-ups are online, or call 609-285-3233.

Learn more about volunteering with Send Hunger Packing.

Share My Meals

Share My Meals, at 120 John St., recovers surplus prepared meals from corporate cafeterias, schools and hospitals and delivers them to families and nonprofit partners.

Volunteers pick up and deliver meals, and each delivery sign-up takes about an hour. Email volunteer@sharemymeals.org. Gifts can be made through its website.

Learn more about volunteering with Share My Meals.

Center for Modern Aging Princeton

The Center for Modern Aging Princeton, formerly the Princeton Senior Resource Center, is at 45 Stockton St. It serves older adults with programs, classes and social services.

Its Home Friends program sends volunteers to visit homebound seniors in Princeton and nearby towns. Its Third Act Volunteer Corps, run with AmeriCorps, connects older adults with service opportunities. Donations can be made through its website.

Learn more about the Home Friends program.

SAVE Animal Shelter

Based in nearby Skillman at 1010 Route 601, SAVE is an independent, no-kill shelter founded in 1941 that serves homeless dogs and cats in the greater Princeton area.

Its website offers ways to volunteer, foster, adopt or donate. A recent Patch roundup says dog and cat food lead its wish list.

Learn more about volunteering at SAVE.

D&R Greenway Land Trust

D&R Greenway Land Trust, at the Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, protects open space across the region and runs a native plant nursery.

Residents can join its volunteer program through the Volunteer Sign Up page or donate online.

Learn more about volunteering with D&R Greenway.

This isn't an exhaustive list of organizations doing good work in and around Princeton. Donation needs, volunteer opportunities and hours can change, so check directly with an organization for the latest information before donating or volunteering.

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