The 探花精选 accepts new or gently used items for refugees in Elizabeth.
The items listed below will have the greatest impact in helping newly arrived refugees and immigrants adjust to their new homes.
Due to space limitations, the 探花精选 cannot currently accept in-kind donations beyond what is outlined below. Kathleen鈥檚 Closet Thrift Store, located at 15 Evans Terminal Road, Hillside, NJ 07205, may be able to accept items that do not appear on the list below. The 探花精选 partners with Kathleen鈥檚 Closet to give refugees access to donated clothing and other goods. Call 908-242-3955 for more information or to schedule a pick up. Please mention you were referred by the 探花精选.
List of current 探花精选 needs:
- GIFT CARDS: Visa or Amex gift cards allow 探花精选 to be most flexible in quickly meeting urgent client needs. Gift cards to local Elizabeth stores, including Bargain Man (for household supplies in denominations of $30) and Kids Place (for school uniforms in denominations of $50) are also welcomed.
- MONTHLY BUS PASSES: Zone 1 New Jersey Transit passes, valued at $59, help newly arrived refugees get around the city of Elizabeth for necessary appointments. Passes also allow employable adults to get to and from 探花精选 for English language classes, job readiness training and meetings with their employment specialist.
- USED CARS: Tax-deductible vehicle donations can be life-changing for refugee families. Donated cars are directed to refugees in 探花精选鈥檚 early employment program and expand employment opportunities beyond jobs accessible by public transportation. One car can mean self-sufficiency for five families whose primary wage earners carpool from Elizabeth to their new job site. Working cars only please.
- NEW COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS OR IPADS: These are critical for refugee families to connect with community services, search and apply for employment, learn English and complete children鈥檚 homework assignments.
- NEW CELL PHONES: Prepaid cell phones (with a $50 credit) can be used by newly arriving families for essential communication with 探花精选 staff and for emergency purposes.
- WELCOME HOME KITS: 探花精选 can provide your group or organization with a complete list of kitchen items, linens, toiletries and other household supplies and hygiene items needed for each new refugee family that arrives. You can gather kits for singles, couples and/or families and clearly mark the family size on the bag.
- BACK TO SCHOOL KITS: Collect and pack backpacks for refugee children enrolling in Elizabeth and Roselle Public Schools. Each backpack should contain 3 marble (composition) notebooks, 5 pocket folders, 2 hardcover binders (1鈥 and 2鈥), 1 package of loose leaf paper, 2 highlighters, 2 glue sticks, 1 set of coloring pencils or markers, 1 box of crayons, 1 box of pencils, 1 box of pens, 1 pencil case/bag and 1 ruler.