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F.A.Q

  • Are There Requirements To Receive Help?
    For information about the requirements to receive help, please visit our assistance page on our website here. There, you'll find detailed information on the eligibility criteria and the process for accessing our services. Here are some basic requirements, though this is not a complete list: - All clients must reside within Middlesex County, New Jersey. Proof of residency is required. - To qualify for food assistance, you must meet income limits based on your household size. - You must be receiving assistance from one of the government programs listed on our site. For a full list of requirements and more details, please refer to our website.
  • How Do I Receive Help?
    We provide aid to all residents of Middlesex County, regardless of income, immigration, or other statuses. We simply ask that you meet all the requirements listed on our website here. If you meet those requirements, you can either pre-register online or register in person the next time we are open.
  • What Are The Income Limits?
    To find the most current income limits for assistance, please visit our assistance page on our website here. The income limits are based on household size and are updated periodically to reflect changes in federal guidelines. If you have specific questions or need help determining your eligibility, please contact us directly. For a household of one, the maximum allowable income is $25142. For a household of two, the maximum allowable income is $33874. For a household of three, the maximum allowable income is $42,606. For a household of four, the maximum allowable income is $51,338. For a household of five, the maximum allowable income is $60,070. For a household of six, the maximum allowable income is $68,802. For a household of seven, the maximum allowable income is $77,533. For households greater than eight individuals the maximum allowable income is $86,266. It increases by $8,732 for each additional member.
  • What Are The Acceptable Proof Of Residency/ID?
    To verify your residency, please provide one of the following documents: a recent pay stub showing your current address within Middlesex County; a recent rent receipt or mortgage statement with your Middlesex County address; a state-issued ID card displaying your Middlesex County address; a state-issued driver’s license with your Middlesex County address; or a utility bill (such as water, gas, or electric) dated within the past 60 days that includes your Middlesex County address. ANY TYPE OF IMMAGRATION DOCUMENT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
  • When Are You Open?
    We are open on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. For the most up-to-date information on events and schedules, please check our calendar here: Events Calendar.
  • How Can I Get Proof Of Hours Served?
    If you require documentation of your volunteer hours for school, work, or other purposes, our volunteer management system, POINT, provides a convenient solution. POINT tracks all your volunteer hours and can generate comprehensive reports detailing the time you’ve served. This makes it simple to obtain official records and verify your contributions. For additional information on how to use the POINT system and to access your reports, please visit their official website. This feature ensures that you can easily provide proof of your volunteer work whenever needed.
  • How Can I Volunteer At Your Organization?
    To get started with volunteering, please visit our volunteer page here and complete the volunteer application through the online portal in the "Take Action" or "Volunteer" section. Once you’ve selected your shifts and registered your account, you’ll be all set to get started. If you encounter any issues, a member of our volunteer department will reach out to assist you.
  • How Do Register As A Group To Volunteer?
    To get started with volunteering, please visit our volunteer page here. There, you'll find our Group Registration Form, which you should fill out to let us know your interest and availability. Once you've submitted the form, a member of our volunteer department will contact you within 96 hours to discuss next steps and answer any questions you might have.
  • What Are The Expectations Of Volunteer?
    To ensure a smooth and effective volunteering experience, please keep the following guidelines in mind: Age Requirement: Volunteers must be 15 years or older. Attendance: Notify us ASAP if you cannot attend a scheduled event. Attire: Closed-toe shoes are required. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Physical Requirements: Opportunities involve lifting/standing for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations for those who need assistance can be made Scheduling: All volunteer work must be scheduled in advance. Distribution days occur rain or shine, unless severe weather or extreme temperatures are forecasted.
  • What Tasks Are Available For Volunteers?
    Here’s a detailed breakdown of the various volunteer opportunities we offer, designed to help you find the perfect way to contribute your time and skills to our cause: WEEKEND OPPORTUNITIES: Food Distribution Events Volunteering at our food distribution events is a fulfilling way to help those in need. You’ll assist with organizing food items, packing bags, and distributing them to individuals and families facing hunger. Your contribution ensures that nutritious food reaches those who need it most, making a significant impact on our community. Please use our online portal to register for weekend opportunities. WEEKDAY OPPORTUNITIES: Pantry Help Weekday volunteering at our food pantry offers a valuable opportunity to contribute. You'll help with tasks like receiving donations, processing items, organizing shelves, and packing bags for distribution. Your support is essential for keeping our operations running smoothly and efficiently. Although there are fewer weekday opportunities, your dedication will make a meaningful difference in our community. OFF-SITE OPPORTUNITIES: Food Drives/Fundraising Organizing food drives and fundraising events are impactful ways to support our mission. By hosting a food drive, you can engage your community, workplace, or organization to collect non-perishable items. Fundraising efforts, whether through events, online campaigns, or personal initiatives, provide vital financial support for purchasing fresh produce and covering operational costs. These activities can be done on your own time and offer great flexibility. Your efforts help us meet the increasing demand for food assistance and strengthen community generosity.
  • Are You Currently Accepting Donation?
    Absolutely! We are always thrilled to accept donations. Your generous contributions help us continue our vital work and support our community in meaningful ways. Whether it's food, or financial support, every bit helps us make a difference.
  • Can I Do A Food Drive Benefiting Your Organization?
    Absolutely! Hosting a food drive is a fantastic way to support our organization and help those in need. We can provide you with guidelines and support to make your food drive a success. Please reach out to us or refer to our quick start guide for more details on how to get started and how we can assist you in organizing and promoting your event.
  • Can I Do A Fundraiser Benefiting Your Organization?
    Yes, you can definitely organize a fundraiser benefiting our organization! We would be delighted to support you in planning and promoting your event. Whether it's a charity auction, a community event, or any other fundraising activity, we're here to help with ideas, resources, and promotional materials. Just reach out to Stephen Dennis to discuss the details and get started. Stephen Dennis Dir. Of Devolpment/Partnerships stephen.dennis@hohnj.org | (732)-633-8101
  • How Can I Donate To Your Organization?
    We’re always happy to accept donations! For your convenience, you can find the donation process outlined on our website. To donate food or other non-perishables, please visit: Donate Food. To make a monetary contribution, please visit: Donate Funds.
  • What Items Do You Accept?
    We accept a range of non-perishable food items. For more details on what we can accept or to check if your items are suitable, please visit our website or refer to the images below. Your donations play a crucial role in helping those in need.
  • What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
    We accept a variety of payment methods to make donating as convenient as possible. You can contribute with cash (in-person only), credit cards, personal checks, corporate/business checks, or ACH transfers. Additionally, we accept payments through Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo. To see all available methods and to make a monetary contribution, please visit: Donate Funds
  • Are You A Registered/Valid Non-Profit?
    Yes, we are a registered and valid non-profit organization. Our status allows us to accept tax-deductible donations and ensure that your contributions have a positive impact. Below is our EIN and 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS: Name: Hands Of Hope For The Community Inc. EIN: 20-5818848 501(c)(3) Letter Attached Below
  • How Much Of Each Dollar Donated Supports Your Mission?
    We strive to ensure that as much of every dollar donated as possible goes directly towards supporting our cause. We aim to keep administrative and overhead costs low to maximize the impact of your contributions. For detailed information on how donations are allocated and our financial transparency, please contact us directly!
  • What Social Media Accounts Do You Have?
    Yes, we have several social media channels where you can follow our updates and stay connected with our activities. We regularly post updates, events, and news about our organization. We’d love to have you join our online community! Facebook: Follow us on Facebook Instagram: Follow us on Instagram LinkedIn: Follow us on LinkedIn YouTube: Follow us on YouTube
  • When Are You Open?
    We are open on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. For the most up-to-date information on events and schedules, please check our calendar here: Events Calendar.
  • Where Are You Located?
    We are located at 2136 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08818, with plenty of mass transit options nearby. Once you arrive, please come to the back of the church where you'll find signs directing you to the pantry.
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