Jersey Cares | The Jersey Cares Coat Drive

Coming November 2025

For the past 28 years, The Jersey Cares Coat Drive has mobilized the collection and distribution of thousands of "gently used" winter coats to men, women, children, and infants in need. Last year, Jersey Cares collected more than 20,000 coats throughout the state of New Jersey. Companies, churches, police stations, schools and other organizations collect coats throughout the drive and deliver them to a central location, where volunteers then organize the donated coats and package them for pick-up. Our approved nonprofit partners then pick-up and distribute the coats to people in need.

Register to Donate Coats

By registering as a collection site, you offer all your neighbors and community members a convenient location to donate their coats and ensure that more coats make it to those in need. You can establish a private or public collection site during the whole coat drive or for a shorter period (i.e., two months, two weeks, a few days, etc.). Being a “public” collection site simply means that we will post your address and hours on our website so that anyone in your area looking for a place to donate a coat can bring their coats to you!

Once you submit your collection site form, you will receive an automated email that includes a flyer, site instructions, a donation tax receipt, and links to your local drop off locations.

Please note that collection boxes are not provided and all collection sites are required to deliver their coats directly to their local container site – we are not able to provide individual pick-ups due to the size of this program.

** Jersey Cares only accepts new and gently used coats and asks that you refrain from donating coats that are stained, covered in pet hair, or in poor condition unless they are laundered or repaired prior to donating. Please DO NOT donate hats, gloves, scarves, or any other clothing items. **

To register as a collection site please check back when registration opens in November 2025

Drop-Off Information:

The Jersey Cares Coat Drive is no longer accepting donations. Please check back when our next drive begins in November 2025.

Fundraise Virtually

Set up your own fundraising page or donate to support the 29th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive.

To contribute funding or create a fundraising page, please click HERE.

Volunteer to Sort Donations

Volunteers are needed to sort through coat donations in-person at our container sites across the state. All opportunities will be held outside, unless otherwise noted.

Registration for these projects is FREE.
These projects are appropriate for ages 14+ (with a parent).
All opportunities will take place from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
All Coat Sorting opportunities will take place on Sunday, January 19th.

Coat Sorting in Branchburg - this opporunity is full

Coat Sorting in Cherry Hill - this opporunity is full

Coat Sorting in Freehold - this opporunity is full

Coat Sorting in Garfield

Coat Sorting in Livingston

Coat Sorting in Metuchen - this opporunity is full

Coat Sorting in Morristown

Coat Sorting in Ramsey

Coat Sorting in Union

Swag and Support

Head over to our online store to make a donation supporting your New Jersey neighbors and receive a Coat Drive long sleeve shirt or hat as a thank you!

To make a donation and check out other Jersey Cares accessories, please click HERE.

Spread Awareness

Access ready-to-use images and captions to help recruit collection sites, gather donations, and extend warmth and comfort to countless individuals facing the cold months ahead.

To access the Jersey Cares Coat Drive Social Media Toolkit, click HERE.

Register to Receive Coats

Registration for the 2024-25 Coat Drive is now closed as we are at capacity for requests.

As an agency recipient you may receive new and/or gently used coats. Please be advised that donations cannot be guaranteed and distribution operates on a first-come, first-served basis. We rely heavily on the participation of collection sites, therefore we cannot guarantee the number of coats requested will be filled.

**Please be advised that only registered 501c3 organizations, government agencies, or public schools from New Jersey will be considered for donations**

Once the deadline approaches, agencies will be called or e-mailed if orders become available for pick-up. Pick-ups operate by appointment only. We appreciate your patience during the donation sorting process.