Opportunities From: Rise Volunteer Hub

Rise Backpack & School Supply Drive

There’s something powerful about giving a child a backpack. No matter their background, showing up on the first day of school with the supplies they need helps level the playing field and opens the door to opportunity, confidence, and success.

At Rise, we’re seeing record-high requests from families in our community. Many of them are unable to afford essential school supplies. This year, our goal is to distribute over 800 pre-filled backpacks to local students in grades K–12.

Here’s how you can help:

Start a neighborhood collection

Host a drive at your workplace or place of worship

Add a few extra supplies to your own back-to-school shopping

Donate gift cards or funds so we can purchase high-need items (please submit gift cards separately)

View our needed backpack Supplies List: Backpack Wishlist

Every backpack filled is a step toward equity, dignity, and hope. Thank you for making a difference!
For questions, contact volunteer@njrise.org or call 609-438-3126.

Drop off location:  Rise Thrift Store - 114 Rogers Avenue, Hightstown, NJ 08520 – For more information, call 609-443-4464.

Items ACCEPTED for the School Supply Drive include:

Help our neighbors feel cared for, confident, and supported by collecting everyday hygiene essentials. Personal care products are items many families need but may not always be able to purchase when budgets are tight.

A personal care drive is a simple and meaningful project for classrooms, workplaces, youth groups, clubs, families, and community partners. These items help Rise provide dignity and comfort to individuals and families throughout our community.

Great items to collect:
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, lotion, combs, brushes, hair ties, washcloths, hand soap, tissues, and travel-size hygiene items.

Helpful tips:
Full-size items are especially helpful when possible. All items should be new, unopened, and unused. Consider creating hygiene kits in resealable bags for an easy service project.

Donation Delivery Instructions:
Donations are accepted 7 days a week and no appointment is necessary.

Rise Thrift Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Rise Pantry Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

For large donations, group drives, or questions about where to bring specific items, please email volunteer@njrise.org. You may also call 609-438-3126 if needed.

Thank you for choosing to support Rise!
Your drive helps provide food, comfort, care, and encouragement to neighbors throughout our community. We are so grateful for every group, family, business, school, and volunteer who helps us serve with compassion and dignity.

Help Fill the Shelves at Rise Pantry!

Rise Pantry serves over 500 families every week, and the need is greater than ever. We need your help to keep our shelves stocked and ensure no family goes hungry.

Join us in making a difference by hosting a food drive or donating essential perishable and non-perishable food items. To see a list of our most needed items and access helpful materials, check out our Drive Kit with flyers and resources.

Drop-off Location: Rise Pantry, 133 Broad St, Hightstown, NJ
Drop-off Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Have questions? We’re happy to help!
Call us: 609-443-4464
Email us: volunteer@njrise.org

Together, we can make sure our neighbors have the food they need. Thank you for your support!

Help Fill Bowls & Wag Tails! 

Did you know that Rise Pantry not only helps over 500 families each week but also supports their furry family members too? Pets are part of the family, and we need your help to keep their tails wagging and bellies full!

We're collecting wet and dry dog & cat food (canned or bagged), plus other much-needed pet essentials like shampoo, wipes, collars, harnesses, leashes, and more. Every donation makes a difference in keeping pets happy and healthy!

Drop-off Location: Rise Pantry, 133 Broad St, Hightstown, NJ
Drop-off Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Have questions? We’d love to hear from you!

Call us: 609-443-4464
Email us: volunteer@njrise.org

Let’s work together to help pets and their families thrive—thank you for your support!

Help provide dignity, comfort, and confidence by collecting feminine care products for community members in need. Period products are essential, but they can be expensive and are often overlooked in donation drives.

This is a thoughtful and impactful drive for workplaces, schools, clubs, women’s groups, faith communities, and service organizations. Your donations help Rise support individuals and families with basic care items that are needed every month.

Great items to collect:
Pads, tampons, panty liners, overnight pads, period cups/disks, period underwear, individually wrapped wipes, small pouches, and resealable bags for creating feminine care kits.

Helpful tips:
All items must be new and unopened. Individually wrapped products are preferred when possible. Groups may also assemble feminine care bags with a mix of products in each bag.

Why it matters:
Access to period products supports health, dignity, school attendance, work attendance, and everyday well-being.

Thank you for supporting Rise and helping us serve our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and care. For questions or to coordinate a group drive, please get in touch with volunteer@njrise.org

Support local parents and caregivers by collecting baby essentials for families with infants and young children. Baby items can be costly, and even basic supplies like diapers and wipes can place a strain on household budgets.

A baby item drive is a caring and practical way to support families during an important stage of life. Your donations help provide comfort, cleanliness, and peace of mind for parents and little ones in our community.

Great items to collect:
Diapers in all sizes, baby wipes, baby wash, baby lotion, diaper cream, bottles, bibs, baby blankets, pacifiers, baby shampoo, baby food, formula, and other infant care essentials.

Helpful tips:
All items should be new, unopened, and unexpired. Please check expiration dates on formula, baby food, and any feeding items. Diapers and wipes are always especially helpful.

Donation Delivery Instructions:
Donations are accepted 7 days a week and no appointment is necessary.

Rise Thrift Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Rise Pantry Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

For large donations, group drives, or questions about where to bring specific items, please email volunteer@njrise.org. You may also call 609-438-3126 if needed.

Thank you for choosing to support Rise!
Your drive helps provide food, comfort, care, and encouragement to neighbors throughout our community. We are so grateful for every group, family, business, school, and volunteer who helps us serve with compassion and dignity.

Description:
Show love and care to older adults in our community by collecting comfort items and practical essentials. Many seniors live on fixed incomes and may need support with food, hygiene products, warmth, and everyday wellness items.

This drive is a heartfelt way for groups to brighten someone’s day while meeting real needs. Senior support items can help older adults feel remembered, respected, and connected to their community.

Great items to collect:
Shelf-stable foods, low-sodium pantry items, oatmeal, soups, tea, crackers, hygiene products, tissues, lotion, lip balm, warm socks, blankets, puzzle books, word search books, large-print activity books, pens, reusable bags, and comfort items.

Helpful tips:
Items should be new, unopened, and in good condition. Low-sodium, easy-open, and easy-to-prepare food items are especially helpful for seniors.

Donation Delivery Instructions:
Donations are accepted 7 days a week and no appointment is necessary.

Rise Thrift Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Rise Pantry Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM

For large donations, group drives, or questions about where to bring specific items, please email volunteer@njrise.org. You may also call 609-438-3126 if needed.

Thank you for choosing to support Rise!
Your drive helps provide food, comfort, care, and encouragement to neighbors throughout our community. We are so grateful for every group, family, business, school, and volunteer who helps us serve with compassion and dignity.