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, not opened, shelf stable food items you would like to donate to the Borough's food pantry, please call the Borough at 973-403-6867 and ask to speak to Ryan Schwertfeger. Smaller portioned donations and food that would appeal to the senior population (Currently 100% of those we help are those over 55) are greatly appreciated.

Please ensure items donated are in English (or have enough English that the product can be understood by the food pantry recipient) and have a clear and understandable expiration date. Items that do not will be thrown out.

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: 3/15/2024)

• Assorted household cleaning and sanitizing supplies, such as sprays, wipes, Brillo pads, dish soap, hand soap, Comet, etc.
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Aluminium Foil, Plastic Wrap, etc.
• Small water bottles
• Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Napkins, Paper Plates, and Tissues
• 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, cookies, popcorn, pudding cups, saltines, Jell-O, no-bake desserts, etc.)
• Small cans or plastic containers of vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, creamed corn, mixed vegetables, sauerkraut, zucchini)
• Small cans or plastic bottles of ginger ale, root beer, water, or sparkling water (no liter jugs please)
• Rice and Rice Sides
• Boxed and Canned Chicken & Beef Broth
• Cooking oil
• Fruit juices (especially apple juice), small coffee cans, assorted types of tea (no jumbo packs)
• Small bags of chips, pretzels, etc.
• Oatmeal
• Baked Beans
• Condiments and basic cooking essentials (salt, pepper, ketchup, peanut butter, mustard, flour, jams and jellies, sugar, honey, salad dressing, etc.)
• Granola bars
• Canned protein/meats (chicken, tuna fish, etc.)
• Pancake Mix and Syrup
• Bath soap and body wash
• Shampoo and Conditioner

Items Not Needed/Do NOT Donate

• Desserts that require baking - no cake mix, brownies, muffins, etc.
• NO LARGE SIZED CANNED GOODS (besides specific items listed previously)
• Spicy or exotic items (many seniors do not like spicy foods)
• Large Boxes of Cereal
• Cans or cups of fruit
• Applesauce
• Dental items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss
• 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