Secaucus Kids Fill Bags For Homeless, Domestic Violence Shelters

SECAUCUS, NJ — On Dec. 17, 47 kids, teens and adults met in the Harmon Cove clubhouse to fill bags for the homeless and local domestic violence shelters.

The project is called the Kids Blessing Bag project, and it was created by Secaucus resident Brenda Green, who is also a local fitness instructor (Fit 4 A Better Me).

Every December, she fills purple bags with toiletries, such as toothpaste and deodorant, food and winter hats/gloves, to distribute to the homeless and unsheltered people in our area. She asks companies to donate items, and she asks local Secaucus families to get involved and stuff the bags.

Green said last Sunday's event in the clubhouse saw the biggest turnout yet.

"We saw unprecedented community involvement, which increased our contribution to local shelters," she said. "The children assembled and donated a remarkable total of 240 blessing bags."

The bags were donated to the Center for Hope & Safety, a domestic violence shelter in Rochelle Park, Apostles House in Newark and the Hoboken homeless shelter.

Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli and others spoke at the event. The town of Secaucus donated toiletries for the bags, as did the following small businesses:

ATM BEAUTY
Spa O on the Go
Mindful Embodiment
Give thanks and give back, inc
Green Family Estates, LLC
Halo’s Accessories
Yeah We Clean
Mobile Paw Spa
She Exhaled
Canine Wellness Center
Moments With Merry
Paladin Design Studio
Comfort Keepers

Lekker Photography
Shake 360 Photo
Fit 4 A Better Me

Green said she started doing this seven years ago to teach her daughter, who was 5 at the time, the importance of giving back.

"This event would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors and the dedication of numerous parents who jumped in to volunteer and help in various capacities, including the distribution of bags," said Green.

For more information about the Kids Blessing Bag Project and upcoming initiatives, please follow them on Instagram at @kidsblessingbagproject

Photos by Lekker Photography