Outreach

This outreach has serviced the community for 15 years. 

You can Sponsor a family by committing to purchase gifts for all members of a single family. Families range in size from 2 to 10 people. Gifts per member approx. value of $40-$50 per person plus a gift of food for a Christmas dinner meal or a gift card to a local supermarket. Specify the size of the family you wish to sponsor when giving you name. Two families can sponsor one large family of 8-10 people.

Delivery of gifts to individuals/families is not required. Many times gifts are picked up by participating agencies or organizations and distributed through them. In some cases, the gift giving families may arrange with the sponsored family through ministry co-chairs a date and time to deliver gifts and food. Please specify at time of sponsoring a family if you wish to deliver your gifts.

Help with wrapping and sorting gifts before distribution and gift pick-up is sometimes needed.

The Parish of St. Mary provides non-perishable food, vegetables, and turkeys for families in need in the community at large.
Over 150 families can partake in a Thanksgiving meal thanks to the donations made by the parish.

Parishioner volunteers serve by not only making donations but also organizing the collection, sorting, and distribution of donations. We serve those in need by partnering with the following organizations:
CPC – High Point School https://www.cpcbehavioral.org/about-high-point
Freehold Open Door https://www.faopendoor.org/
Anderson’s Meet the Need https://www.andersonsmeettheneed.org/
Martin House Non-for-profit Organization Trenton, NJ
St. Peter Claver Center Food Bank Asbury Park, NJ
Rene Martin Freehold, NJ

Contact the parish office if you would like to volunteer or help coordinate the Thanksgiving Food collection endeavor.

Tree of Love has been in existence for over 20 years.

The ministry contact volunteer is Deb Stanley 

Last year, this ministry distributed approximately 800 gifts to individuals desiring to receive a gift on Christmas. For some people, this may be the only gift they receive.

Outreach to these families was acquired through the following organizations/agencies:

• CPC Behavioral Health Care in Matawan https://cpcbehavioral.org/index.php
• John L. Montgomery Care Center http://www.yelp.com/biz/john-l-montgomery-care-center-the-freehold
• Project Paul in Keansburg http://www.projpaul.org/
• Mercy Center http://www.mercycenternj.org/
• Area rest homes in Freehold
• Coastal Learning Center, middle school in Howell http://www.coastallearningcenter.org/
• Lunch Break http://www.lunchbreak.org/
• DCPP http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/about/divisions/dcpp/
• Additional individuals in need are identified through other parishes and a local social worker

Tree of Love Christmas tree will go up in the gathering space in November each year. You may take as many tags off the tree as you desire. Purchase gift noted on the paper ornament gift tag and return to the church by designated date. Please do not go over value noted on the gift tag. Please return you gifts as soon as possible or bring them to the packing day.

 

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 Typical tasks and responsibilities:

• Help set-up the Tree in November
• Shopping, wrapping for Parishioners
• Storing returned items until ready for sorting
• Sorting, additional wrapping for Tree of Love Ministry volunteers

Required training or skills: None

Approximate time commitment: A couple of hours to shop and wrap; 2-3 hours to sort, on a Sunday in early December,.

Location: Parishioners place donated gifts in the Gathering Space;  gifts are sorted (by charity that is receiving them).