How many gift cards is JFCS collecting this year? Our goal is to collect and distribute at least 800 holiday gift cards for JFCS clients, including 600 Family Assistance clients, 130 Holocaust Survivors, 60 financially needy Seniors and Veterans, and 40 Disability Service clients. This year, we are also collecting gift cards for displaced Israeli families who are staying in South Jersey.

How much will each client receive? We aim to collect and distribute $25 per client, per family. For example, a family of six would receive $150 in gift cards.

When will clients receive the gift cards? Gift cards will be given out throughout the month of December, leading up to the holidays.

Can I purchase gift cards on my own? Yes! We will gladly accept gift cards that you have purchased from Target, Wawa, Walmart, and Shoprite. (Please note that if you choose to donate physical gift cards, your gift will not be tax-deductible.)

When and where can I drop off my gift cards? You can drop of your gift cards at the JFCS main office on Monday through Thursday from 9am until 2pm. We are located at 1301 Springdale Road, Suite 150 (next to the Katz JCC Early Childhood entrance). Please don’t wrap the gift cards or seal the envelopes as it is much more efficient for our staff to organize unwrapped cards.

Can I buy other gift cards like Macy’s, Boscov’s, or Best Buy? No, thank you! We limit the gift cards to Target, Walmart, Shoprite, and Wawa to meet our clients’ needs. These are the cards that are most often requested by our clients.

Can I donate funds instead? Yes! We will gladly accept monetary donations, which are fully tax-deductible.

How will my donated funds be used? All donated funds will be used to buy food, household essentials, and additional gift cards for JFCS clients.

Is there a deadline for donations? The deadline is Monday, December 11. This will give our staff enough time to buy, organize, and distribute the gift cards to our clients in time for all of the winter holidays. We are inclusive of all faiths and we want to ensure that our clients have enough time to shop for whatever holidays they celebrate.

Can I purchase a gift card (or make a donation) in someone’s honor? Yes! There’s an option to designate your donation in honor or memory of a friend or loved one on our online order form. We’ll send a beautiful JFCS tribute card to the person you designate.

Can I purchase items like pajamas, toys, or books? No, thank you! Our clients relish the opportunity to shop for their family members with dignity and love. Gift cards give them the flexibility to shop on their own and buy the perfect gifts for their loved ones.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Jill Hammel, Senior Director of Advancement, at (856) 424-1333 ext. 1179 or jhammel@jfedsnj.org.