Outreach runs are the core of our services. Every weekend, teams of volunteers provide brown bag lunches, hot soup, various kits, and clothing to people experiencing homelessness from locations in Newark and Irvington. A group of volunteers also deliver outreach services on Thursday evenings in Rahway. This unique volunteer opportunity experience allows you to directly interact and engage in conversation with the people that Bridges serves.  ​ Children age 13-17 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.   Thursdays in Rahway Saturdays in Newark Sundays in Irvington

Please arrive at your registered location by 10:15 AM to participate in your scheduled Outreach Run.   How long does the Outreach Run last? The run typically lasts just under 2 hours, from the time the van arrives at the location around 10:15 AM until 12:00 PM.​   Are Outreach Runs safe? We have been conducting Bridges Outreach Runs for the community for decades. Although nothing is ever entirely safe, the community that we serve knows us and relies on our services for support.​​   What should I wear? Wear comfortable weather appropriate clothing and shoes. During the colder months, it is especially important to wear something warm as you will be outside the entire time. It can also be helpful to wear layers at the beginning or end of the seasons, in case you are hot or cold. Check the weather before you leave, especially for rain.​   Do you do the Outreach Run in the rain or snow? Yes, people need our support regardless of the weather. However if there is a State of Emergency or you feel you can’t travel, please reach out to us to cancel at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.   How do I get to the Outreach Run location? You will have to provide your own transportation to and from the Outreach Run location.​   Is there parking? Yes, the locations have street parking available.​​   How old do you have to be to do an Outreach Run?  Teenagers 13 -17 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. For groups of teens reach out to our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.   Can you provide documentation for my school so that I can receive volunteer credit hours?  Yes, we can send you a letter by email. If you need a letter by print, please let us know in advance so we can print it ahead of time and bring it to the run. ​   Can I bring donations with me to the Outreach Run, for example, clothing or lunches to donate? If you have items to donate, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the best time to drop them off at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.   Should I bring plastic gloves and a mask with me when I am volunteering? No. You do not need to bring a mask or gloves. We will provide it. ​   Is the run only for groups of 8, what if I have a bigger group? No, we can accommodate groups of up to 15 volunteers with prior notification. If you have a larger group, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Ruby, at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org. We would be happy to work with you.​   Is there anything else that I should know? You will receive a reminder a few days before your scheduled run.​ If you can no longer attend, please try to give us at least 48 hours notice so we can try to fill your spot. Reach out to volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.   Who do I contact if I have a problem on the day of the run? If you need help during your scheduled Run time, reach out to our team at 908-346-5357.

Soup Warming is a simple, meaningful way to support the Bridges community and it makes a real difference every single weekend. Volunteers gather at the Summit kitchen in the Oakes Center to heat soup (and sometimes drinks) that will be placed into insulated containers and distributed during Bridges Outreach Runs. That warm soup goes directly to our clients, offering comfort, nourishment, and care when it’s needed most. The entire process takes less than an hour, making it an easy and accessible way to give back. Adults, teens, and younger children (with parental supervision) are all welcome to participate. While the task itself is straightforward, the impact is powerful, especially during the colder months, when a hot cup of soup can provide warmth, dignity, and a moment of relief. You can sign up for soup warming here.

A Client Service Day gives you a hands-on way to support neighbors in need while helping with care and dignity. During your shift, you’ll help create a welcoming, organized environment by assisting with food service, and fulfilling requests for clothing and hygiene kits. You may also help with light food prep and dishwashing, prepare the shower and laundry areas for continuous use, and support clean-up and reset throughout the day. You’re also invited to contribute prepared dishes. Please coordinate meal drop-off with our Operations Manager, Christina at czamor@bridgesoutreach.org in advance. Client Service Days takes place Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Oakes Center, located at 120 Morris Ave in Summit, NJ, with limited volunteer spots available. Review the open shifts below and sign up to make a direct, meaningful impact. Sign-Up to Volunteer or Contribute Food to Client Service Days in Summit

Organizing a drive is a powerful way to turn care into action and bring your community along with you. Whether you’re a group of students and teachers coordinating a Bagged Lunch Drive, planning a school or faith-based service project, or organizing a Mitzvah Project, drives help you rally friends, families, and local groups around a shared purpose. When thoughtfully planned around a specific need, like food, clothing, or seasonal essentials, a drive can make an immediate, meaningful impact for neighbors experiencing homelessness. We offer several drive options to help you get started, including:  Brown Bag Lunch Packing Drive, assembling sustainable or fresh lunches as a group using items purchased through Bridges or following our recommended list. A Clothing or Product Drive allows you to collect seasonally appropriate clothing, cases of water bottles, or direct support through our Amazon Wish List (all clothing must be new or gently used and clean).  No matter which type of drive you choose, you’ll be helping meet urgent needs while strengthening connections within your own community. All Drives must be approved by our Volunteer Coordinator. Contact Ruby at volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.

Packing events are a hands-on, high-energy way to make a real impact, while bringing people together around a shared purpose. We make volunteer event planning easy, so you can focus on what matters most: showing up, working together, and having fun. Whether you’re gathering friends and family, coworkers, a school or club, a house of worship, or a civic or community group, we’ll work with you to design a packing event that fits your goals, schedule, budget and group size. To get started, simply choose an event type and contact us. We’re extremely flexible and happy to help you find the right fit.  Brown Bag Lunch Packing events allow your group to assemble sustainable, fresh lunches using items you purchase or ready-to-pack supplies provided through Bridges.  Hygiene Kit Packing events meet an ongoing, critical need by assembling personal care kits with essential items our clients rely on every day. During colder months (October–February), Cold Weather Kit Packing events provide vital supplies to help make time outdoors more bearable for those without shelter. During warmer months (May–September), Warm Weather Kit Packing events provide essential hydration and heat‑safety supplies to help make time outdoors safer for individuals without shelter. No matter which option you choose, your packing event delivers immediate support and a powerful reminder that community care starts with people like you. Each kit type in bold should be linked to it’s respective page on the site for more details and order forms.

Teens Tackle Homelessness (TTH) is a volunteer group of high schoolers across New Jersey committed to Bridges Outreach's mission. Teens can learn more about TTH here.

Not everyone is able to give time, and that’s okay. Donating goods is a powerful way to support our work and meet immediate, everyday needs for our clients. From food and clothing to hygiene items and cases of water, we accept donations from our Amazon Wishlist or in-kind donations help ensure our neighbors receive care, dignity, and support when they need it most. To learn more about dropping off items, please contact volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org.   Wishlist by Amazon A great way to fulfill a specific need is through Amazon. These wishes are updated regularly. You will find things like coats in the winter and shorts in the summer. We appreciate any help that you can give.   Clothing & Cases of Bottle Water We welcome donations of new and gently used clothing. We also have a year-round need for cases of bottled water.  Please Note: Socks and undergarments MUST be new. All other clothing items may be gently used but must be laundered prior to donating. We will not accept used socks or undergarments in any circumstances. All other clothing items may be gently used (no holes, rips, frays, or stains), but must be laundered prior to donating. If an item has a zipper, it must be functional. Footwear must be clean and without holes. We collect men’s and women’s clothing. Our greatest need is for men’s clothing of large sizes. Prior to donating, we ask that you sort large donations by gender as well as size. ​ Drop Off Information Once everything is sorted and ready to go, please drop off donations at 120 Morris Avenue, Summit NJ. We are open for drop offs on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Please call our Volunteer Coordinator at 609-746-8249 or email volunteer@bridgesoutreach.org to schedule drop off out of regular hours.  Street parking is available on Russell Place as well as in the lot on premises. For questions on parking and what door to enter, please contact us.