Jersey Cares | Halloween Costume Drive

September 2nd through October 19th, 2026

For thousands of children across New Jersey, the Halloween traditions of costumes, candy and trick-or-treating are anything but magical. For these children, Halloween costumes often don’t make the list of essentials in the family budget. Halloween carnivals, trick-or-treating and the possibility of being your favorite super hero – even for a night – all disappear when you don’t have a costume. Help Jersey Cares bring imaginations and magic to life for children living in New Jersey by collecting new and gently used Halloween costumes.

Register to Collect

As a collection site, you will have the opportunity to provide youth between the ages of 0-14 with the chance to enjoy a fun and festive Halloween! Jersey Cares appreciates all donations; however, we only accept new and/or gently used costumes. We ask that volunteers refrain from donating stained or torn costume items.

To register as a 2026 Halloween Costume Drive Collection Site, please click HERE.

Items NOT ACCEPTED for the Halloween Costume Drive include:

Inappropriate items of any kind including but not limited to:
- Drug or alcohol related costumes
- Mature adult costumes or lingerie
Halloween decorations
Candy

Items ACCEPTED for the Halloween Costume Drive Include:

New or gently used/washed costumes (ages 0-14)
Halloween masks
Costume accessories (wands, wings, capes, etc.)
Unused Halloween face make-up
Candy pails or treat bags

Delivery Address and Instructions

Please wash and individually package (in a Ziploc or reusable bag) all gently used costumes prior to delivery.

NEW for 2026: Donations may be dropped off by appointment only through Monday, October 19th.

Once you are ready to drop off your donations, please click HERE to schedule a date/time with our team or if you would like to ship us your donations, please mail them to the address listed below.

Jersey Cares

Attn: Halloween Costume Drive

290 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Suite 1320

Livingston, NJ 07039

Can't make it to our office? Check out our list of Public Collection Sites to find a location close to you.

Donate Supplies Virtually

Want to contribute to the Halloween Costume Drive, but don't have time to go to the store?

Visit our Amazon Wish List to have items sent directly to us!

Help Sort Donations

The Jersey Cares team needs your help to sort through donations for our nonprofit partners.

Check back soon to see all available dates and register for a sorting party!

SWAG AND SUPPORT

Head over to our online store to make a donation of one costume to a child in New Jersey and receive a Halloween Costume Drive t-shirt as a thank you!

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

Fundraise with Friends

Set up your own fundraising page or donate to support the 2026 Halloween Costume Drive and Jersey Cares.

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

Register to Receive

Registration will open on September 16th, 2026

As an agency partner, you may request to receive new and/or gently used Halloween Costumes and accessories. 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 costumes 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**

Pick-Up Address and Instructions

Jersey Cares will call you to schedule a pick-up date and time closer to the end of our drive in October. Upon arrival for your scheduled pick-up, please call our office at (973) 533-1993 and press option 2 to be directed to our loading dock for delivery assistance.