Asbury Park is an extremely community-driven city. There is no shortage of opportunities to give back and help out neighbors (and animals) who may be in need, and they all rely on volunteers to keep things going. Whether you’d like to assist in socializing homeless dogs, participate in beach clean-ups, or help sort, pack, and distribute food to those in need, volunteering is an easy way to get involved, make friends, and directly impact the community. Read on to find out how you can be involved in volunteering opportunities in the Asbury Park area.
Asbury Park
The Center in Asbury Park | 806 Third Avenue
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The Center in Asbury Park provides support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Center House is a supportive housing project providing three meals a day, on-site case management, and other kinds of support to help adults living with AIDS. Volunteers help provide support services to people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The Center is always looking for volunteers — from kitchen helpers, receptionists, and pantry room organizers to donation pick-up and thrift shop assistance. Prospective volunteers can check out more information about The Center on its website.
Read More: Your Under 21 Guide to the Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore Food Not Bombs | Asbury Park Train Station
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Food Not Bombs (FNB) is an international organization with chapters all over the world including t the Jersey Shore. FNB rescues food from stores, farmers, and donors that would otherwise be thrown away and shares it with the local community. Jersey Shore Food Not Bombs can be found at the Asbury Park train station every Sunday from 3:30PM to 4:30PM distributing hot vegan meals, produce, clothing, and household items. Whether there’s rain or snow or even if it’s a holiday, Jersey Shore FNB will be out there. To learn more about volunteering, talk with an FNB volunteer at a Sunday distribution event.
Jersey Shore Rescue Mission | 701 Memorial Drive
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The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission welcomes people who are homeless, poor, and/or struggling with substance abuse. On-site volunteer opportunities include food servers, food drive organizers, and thrift store volunteers. It also accepts donations of coats and small gifts at Christmas time and looks for volunteers to help organize and distribute the donations. For more information on how to volunteer at the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, check out the website or contact Debbie McKenna at 973-538-6337 or dmckenna@marketstreet.org.
Kula Farm | 115 Atkins Avenue
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Kula Urban Farm is a community farm that supplies the public and restaurants with fresh local hydroponic/organic vegetables and provides on-site job training, and educational programs, as well as farm-to-table dinners and free fresh produce to neighbors in need. Kula also transforms vacant lots into community gardens and manages a hydroponic greenhouse. Kula Urban Farm offers homeschool classes, yoga, and meditation, as well as craft and cannabis workshops on-site. Prospective volunteers can look for opportunities at Kula by checking the events calendar and following Instagram for Volunteer Day announcements. Kula’s partner, Interfaith Neighbors Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels Program is also always looking for volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors every weekday. With 75 different routes across Monmouth County, drivers are needed from all over. Delivery routes usually take one hour to complete. Volunteers are welcome daily, once a week, or even as a substitute for another volunteer. To learn more about volunteering with the meal delivery program, fill out this form.
Mercy Center | 1106 Main Street
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Mercy Center is an organization that works diligently to help those in need in the Asbury Park area. The Mercy Center offers programs and services to help children, families, and individuals live better lives by addressing crucial needs such as food, personal care items, clothing, and temporary assistance with household utility bills. The Mercy Center’s emergency services help families maintain a stable living situation. Neighbors can assist the local Asbury Park community by volunteering at the Mercy Center’s Food Pantry, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 12PM and 1:30PM to 4PM at 1106 Main Street in Asbury Park. Prospective volunteers must fill out the application on the website.
Project R.E.A.L | 805 4th Avenue
Project R.E.A.L. (Real Empowerment on All Levels) provides free social events that help build peer support and connect the young, local Asbury Park LGBTQ+ community. Project R.E.A.L. provides sexual health advocacy and serves as a point of contact between the client and community for resources such as housing, HIV and STD testing, therapy, and more. Volunteers plan activities and large-scale community events every month. Visit the website for more information or contact Project R.E.A.L. at 732-455-5516 or at projectrealap@gmail.com.
Bradley Beach
Bradley Food Pantry | 605 Fourth Avenue
The Bradley Food Pantry is 100% staffed by volunteers. In addition to helping during its open hours, the food pantry also looks for volunteers to assist with stocking and shelving, social media, resource connections, community outreach, and food pickup. Prospective volunteers can reach out by phone 732-775-0161 or by emailing bradleyfoodpantry@gmail.com.
Howell
Rescue Ridge | 1424 Maxim Southard Road
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Rescue Ridge’s mission is to take in abandoned/unwanted animals — dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, pigs, donkeys, etc. — and provide them with a safe, temporary haven, veterinary care, socialization/training, and, ultimately, find them their forever homes. No animal is refused care. Rescue Ridge is always in need of volunteers to walk and socialize dogs, socialize cats, and transport animals to adoption events and/or veterinary appointments. Whether you are only available to help out at one event or only able to come in to care for the dogs or cats once a month, volunteer help is instrumental in helping save the lives of animals in need. This volunteer opportunity is only available for those ages 18 and older. Prospective volunteers must fill out this volunteer application.
See More: Hoboken EMS: All About Hoboken’s Volunteer-Based Ambulance Corps
Point Pleasant
Salt Water Warriors
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Salt Water Warriors is a group of volunteers based in Point Pleasant who gather once a month for town and beach clean-ups. Salt Water Warriors provides gloves and eco-friendly garbage bags for volunteers to use at the meetups. Volunteers cover waterways, beaches, and heavily trafficked areas of Point Pleasant for one hour of collecting litter. SWW sorts through all of the litter, separating the recyclables out and properly disposing of the trash. The group counts everything the volunteers collect and sorts them into categories in order to give feedback on what they have found around town to the public. The Warriors educate volunteers on how to properly dispose of their garbage and advise how to reduce plastic waste as a community, follow the Instagram for clean-up dates and announcements about how to get involved.
