Sandy: How and Where to Donate in Burlington County

County freeholders are working with the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce, Burlington County Courts and local non-profit agencies to collect food and new clothing for Hurricane Sandy victims in our area.

Residents and local businesses can collect and donate food and personal hygiene items, and new adult and new child sweatpants and sweat shirts, T-shirts, socks and underwear in unisex colors in all sizes.

All food items should be donated to directly to the Fountain of Life Food Pantry, 2035 Columbus Road, in Florence or to local food banks. New clothing should be taken to the Burlington County Department of Human Services on Woodlane Road, in Westampton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Food Bank of South Jersey is located in Pennsauken.

The American Red Cross of Camden and Burlington Counties is located at 5425 Route 70 West in Pennsauken, 856-365-7100.

Red Cross shelters in Burlington County are at:

Fountain of Life, 2035 Columbus Rd., Burlington Township and BCC, 601 Pemberton-Browns Mills Rd., Pemberton

Collection boxes will be set up throughout county buildings. The food banks are in desperate need of food items or food store gift cards so that they can purchase items that are in more demand.

The Food banks need:

• Breakfast bars
• Canned meals, such as macaroni and, ravioli, beef stew,
  spaghetti and meatballs, etc.
• Canned items such as soup, tuna, vegetables and fruits
• Boxed or bagged items such as cereal, noodles, pasta, rice, crackers and stuffing
• Jarred items such as jelly, peanut butter, pasta sauce, etc.
• Bottled items such as juice
• Shelf milk
• Baby food and diapers

To ensure food safety, we cannot use:

• Rusty or unlabeled cans
• Perishable items
• Homemade items or non-commercial canned or packaged Items
• Open or used items
• Out-of-date or expired items

Here is a list of a few of the larger food pantries in our area. You may donate to any other pantry of your choice as well.

Catholic Charities, Emergency & Community Services
801 Burlington Avenue, Delanco
856=764-6945, exts. 119 or 111 (donors)

Christian Caring Center
378 Lakehurst Rd, Browns Mills
609-893-0700

Quest Ministries/ Tabernacle Baptist Church
150 East Second Street, Burlington
609-386-4785

St. Vincent DePaul—Medford
1 Jones Road, Medford
609-953-0021

St. Vincent DePaul—Mount Holly
260 High Street, Mount Holly
609-267-9600

Sisterhood Inc
132-136 E. Broad Street, Burlington
609-747-9333

For a list of food pantries listed on Rutgers Against Hunger website, click here. 

Network for Good has a list of vetted, charitable organizations that are the first responders on the ground including the American Red Cross and World Vision. The list is here.

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey is collecting donations here.

County residents should also be wary of the predatory activities of fly-by-night home improvement contractors, such as those who go door to door, demand to be paid up-front or paid in cash. Some of these contractors may even suggest the homeowner use a specific adjuster for an insurance claim.

Homeowners should be sure to obtain the contractor’s state registration number and then call the County Consumer Affairs Office at 609-265-5054 to find out if the registration is valid and if there is a record of complaints. 

Also, only donate to a vetted organization.