Providing comfort, security, food, and support to Hoboken’s most vulnerable.
I’m making it part of the mission of this website to feature organizations that work to help local communities and society in general. And I can’t think of a better one to start with than The Hoboken Shelter (300 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken NJ). I’ve had the pleasure of working with the shelter many times over the years while running my cafe. We hosted food drives, fundraisers, sock drives, etc., and even donated a large portion of supplies and cookware after the cafe closed. I’ve had friends and patrons who have relied on their services.
The folks that run The Hoboken Shelter are simply wonderful. Their mission is to help as many neighbors in need as possible. And they do a remarkable job, too. Offering a safe place to sleep to fifty people a night, serve over five hundred meals a day, give access to a thousand showers a week, and 24 hour restrooms. Nearly two hundred guests were blessed with permanent housing in 2025 thanks to their work and the generosity of our community. I love that they refer to those they help as guests. Doing so extends a level of dignity and kindness.
“The Hoboken Shelter provides essential services that meet immediate needs and help move our neighbors toward stability and independence. From providing a warm meal and comforting shower, to a home to call their own, we are here to compassionately help our Guests when they need it most.”
A Bit of History:
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, a wave of devastating fires swept through Hoboken. Many of these were started by unscrupulous developers wanting to chase out low income residents to make room for a more affluent demographic. Local faith groups of all types formed the Hoboken Clergy Coalition, opening the shelter at 300 Bloomfield Street in 1982. This was met with opposition by city officials who claimed it operated illegally and even threatened to have the staff arrested. This lead to a landmark decision by the New Jersey Superior Court in 1983, protecting the shelter’s right to exist. The ruling would set a precedent in legal matters across America involving emergency sheltering and religious sanctuary protections.
How to Help:
You can get involved at any level. From donating money or goods to volunteering in their kitchen or at special events. Donations can be made online anytime or in person daily between 9am and 9pm. No appointment is necessary. The Shelter accepts new or gently used clean adult clothing, adult footwear, towels, twin-sized sheets, small housewares, and unopened/unexpired food items. They do not accept any children’s items, furniture, pillows, blankets, toys, or sporting goods. From time to time they’ll put out a call for specific items like paper towels, bottled water, coffee, etc.
-> Learn more about how/what to donate
-> Learn more about how to volunteer
-> Read the 2025 Impact Report
Cheers!
Stephen
Website -> hobokenshelter.org
Facebook -> facebook.com/HobokenShelter
Instagram -> instagram.com/Hoboken_Shelter
