Roseland Food Pantry

The Roseland Food Pantry was established in 2020 in an effort to assist Roseland senior citizens who needed essential items like food, beverages, paper products, and health and beauty items during the pandemic and could not get out of the house. The mission of the food pantry has slightly changed and grown to also encompass seniors and families in Roseland who have fallen onto hard times or have difficulty making ends meet.

If you have non-expired, shelf stable food items you would like to donate to the Borough's food pantry, please call the Borough at 973-403-6850 and ask to speak to Pat Nichols. Smaller portioned donations and food that would appeal to the senior population (80% of those we help are senior citizens) are greatly appreciated. Please ensure items are in English or have enough English that the product can be understood by the food pantry recipient.

Residents and non-residents alike can support the food pantry by purchasing a Borough of Roseland mask for $8 on the Borough website.

The list below is updated periodically to reflect the needs of the Food Pantry and to let the community know what items are requested by their fellow residents.

Items In Need

(Last Updated: 3/24/2023)

  • Assorted household cleaning and sanitizing supplies, such as sprays, wipes, Brillo pads, dish soap, hand soap, Comet, etc.
  • Laundry detergent and fabric softener
  • Small water bottles
  • Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Napkins, and Tissues
  • Fruit cups
  • Tomato sauce in plastic containers
  • Diced/crushed tomatoes
  • Parmalat/Evaporated Shelf Stable Milk
  • Breakfast/nutritional drinks (i.e. Ensure, Boost)
  • Small boxes of cereal (Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Special K are most loved)
  • Snack Food (crackers, popcorn, pudding cups, saltines, Jell-O, no-bake desserts, etc.)
  • Progresso and Campbell's Soup cans
  • Small cans or plastic containers of vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, creamed corn, mixed vegetables, sauerkraut, zucchini)
  • Small cans of ginger ale and root beer (no liter jugs please)
  • Diapers - size Large for Adult Male
  • Rice and Rice Sides
  • Applesauce (individual cups preferred)
  • Boxed and Canned Chicken & Beef Broth
  • Cooking oil
  • Fruit juices (especially apple juice), small coffee cans, assorted types of tea
  • Small bags of chips
  • Baked Beans
  • Condiments and basic cooking essentials (salt, pepper, ketchup, peanut butter, mustard, flour, sugar, honey, salad dressing, etc.)
  • Granola bars
  • Tuna fish
  • Pancake Mix
  • Canned chicken

Items Not Needed/Do NOT Donate

  • Desserts that require baking - no cake mix, brownies, muffins, etc.
  • NO REGULAR SIZED OR LARGE SIZED CANNED GOODS (besides specific items listed previously)
  • Spicy or exotic items (many seniors do not like spicy foods)
  • Large Boxes of Cereal
  • Bathroom essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and bath soap
  • Oatmeal
  • Paper plates (various sizes)
  • Pasta and Mac & Cheese
  • Items that need to be kept cold or are fresh and can spoil easily should NOT be donated
  • Unsealed or previously opened medicinal products (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, etc. that isn't factory sealed)
  • Items that have expired already at the time it would be donated

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Ryan Schwertfeger Inventory & Package Packer (973) 403-6867
Patrick Nichols Donation Coordinator & Package Packer (973) 403-6850
Maureen Chumacas Borough Administrator & CFO (973) 226-8080
Maureen Critchley Delivery Recipient Outreach Coordinator (973) 403-6038
Eileen Fishman Council Liaison