Market Street Mission, Jersey Shore Rescue Mission Bless Their Communities with Annual Coat Giveaway

Photo: Volunteers at the Market Street Mission Coat Giveaway

The Market Street Mission in Morristown and Jersey Shore Rescue Mission in Asbury Park recently gave out thousands of coats to members of the community during annual Coat Giveaway events. The Market Street Mission has been giving out free winter gear every November for the past 31 years, and its affiliate, the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, has been blessing the community in this way for about 15 years.

This event is a great opportunity to reach out and care for the local community, making sure that families have the clothing they need to stay warm throughout the winter.

During the month of October, Market Street Mission and Jersey Shore Rescue Mission received an outpouring of support and donated coats from the local community and were were grateful for individuals, churches, businesses and organizations who worked together to collect thousands of winter clothing items for neighbors in need.

On Saturday, Nov. 6, more than 400 people visited the Morristown Green to receive 1,800 coats, along with hats, gloves and scarves for themselves and their families. Volunteers provided goody bags for the children in attendance as well. Two weeks later, on Saturday, Nov. 20, the organization was able able to serve 375 people at its Mission at 701 Memorial Drive in Asbury Park, providing them with 1,100 coats as well as hats, gloves and scarves.

At the two events in November, 75 volunteers at Market Street and 80 volunteers at Jersey Shore assisted the community members in choosing their coats and winter accessories, managed the lines to keep things running smoothly, and handed out refreshments to our guests.

One of the community guests said of his experience: “I have been coming to the Coat Giveaway for many years with my entire family. It’s been a blessing to be able to get my kids warm coats for the winter. We are so grateful the Mission is here!”

As the weather begins to turn colder, the Market Street Mission in Morristown and Jersey Shore Rescue Mission “are blessed to be able to provide for the needs of our neighbors, and we are grateful for the community support that makes our Coat Giveaways possible each year!“

The Market Street Mission and its Jersey Shore Rescue Mission location are an experienced organization with a proven method of helping fight alcoholism, substance abuse, hunger, and homelessness in northern and central New Jersey. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide more than 110,000 meals and 30,000 nights of shelter per year. For more information on our emergency services, free addiction recovery program, community counseling services and thrift stores please visit us at www.marketstreet.org or www.jerseyshorerescue.org.