Project Self-Sufficiency is soliciting assistance for hundreds of low-income families who need a little extra help this season, by asking area residents and organizations to donate traditional Thanksgiving food, or funds towards the purchase of food.

Donors may sponsor a family for $50 or to make a contribution of their choosing. The agency will gratefully receive pumpkin or apple pies; canned vegetables, including yams and cranberry sauce; dinner rolls; gravy; stuffing and mashed potato mixes. Frozen turkeys will also be accepted; however, donors are asked to alert the agency ahead of time if frozen turkeys will be offered. The non-profit agency is gearing up to distribute complete Thanksgiving dinners to approximately 500 local families this year, so monetary donations are particularly needed.

“Requests for assistance are pouring in every day and we expect to serve more than 500 families this year,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “However, our wonderfully generous community has consistently demonstrated compassion towards our participants during the holidays and we are confident that this year will be no exception. “

Contributions, or notification of the intent to contribute, are requested by Friday, Nov. 11, to allow ample time to package and distribute the goods to needy families. Frozen turkeys can be delivered on Monday, Nov. 21, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; turkeys cannot be accepted earlier or later due to the lack of refrigerated storage space. Individuals and families who need help at Thanksgiving are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Earth Angels

“Earth Angels” is more than a 1960s song. It is an initiative of Project Self-Sufficiency that is seeking monetary donations and gift cards to local stores to be distributed to senior citizens. During mid-December, students in the New Jersey Youth Corps high school diploma program at Project Self-Sufficiency will stuff festive bags with the cards and gifts; the items will be delivered by volunteers and Project Self-Sufficiency staff to homebound seniors during the week leading up to Christmas. Along with monetary contributions, the agency is seeking the donation of gift cards from local retailers, including Kohl’s, Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart, Weis and the hair salons at the Homestead and Liberty Towers senior residences.

Newton attorney Elenora L. Benz, Esquire, originated the Earth Angels program in 1999 by enlisting the support of her staff member Mary Jones, along with clients, business colleagues, and community volunteers. The initiative was taken over by Project Self-Sufficiency in 2017. Although most Earth Angels recipients reside in Newton’s Liberty Towers and Frankford’s Homestead, senior citizens in other parts of the county have been added every year as the program expanded.

“The Earth Angels program invites all of us to demonstrate compassion for those in our community who may feel overlooked or forgotten during the busy rush of the holiday season,” comments Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “Our vulnerable seniors need our support, and we are extremely gratified by the outpouring of concern shown by those who donate to this valuable service year after year.”

“Project Self-Sufficiency has given me warmth, kindness, good feelings, and made my Christmases the best I have ever had,” remarked Earth Angels recipient Dianne Cironi. Monetary donations can be made online at www.projectselfsufficiency.org or by making out a check to “Project Self-Sufficiency” and indicating “Earth Angels” on the memo line. Donations of checks and gift cards can be dropped off at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Newton. To register to receive gifts from the Earth Angels program, or to find out more information, call Alice Prendergast at Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500.

Financial Literacy

Project Self-Sufficiency will provide workshops to people who need help understanding credit scores, setting up checking accounts, establishing budgets, and setting financial goals. T

The workshops are virtual Financial Literacy and offered on Thursdays, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. Workshops will address credit scores, credit reports, checking and savings account, credit cards, loans, lines of credit, financial goals, and overcoming debt. They are free and open to the public. Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, to obtain log-in details. Workshops are a program of the Journey Family Success Center. For more information about the programs and services available at the agency, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org or call 973-940-3500.