The Giving Network is an all-volunteer program that is dedicated to recycling excess items of the home that are donated and delivered to people in need in Somerset County. The idea was created in 1999 by Jody Wood in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd's devastation in Bound Brook, New Jersey where she started "networking" to find donations and deliver them to victims she found in need. She recruited a handful of volunteers, mostly from her church, and organized a group she called the Giving Network. Her church embraced the effort and the group officially became an outreach program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills. In the following years of operation the Giving Network has found that others in Bound Brook, and throughout Somerset County, continue to struggle to satisfy basic needs in their homes. The organization expanded its capacity and has grown to 17 regular volunteers and many other part time workers who donate their time and vehicles to this charitable effort.

STATISTICS

In 2005 volunteers made 383 donation collections and delivered 981 packages to recipient families and organizations in need. 3,261 volunteer hours were donated and 9,476 volunteer miles driven.

In 2004 volunteers made 345 donation collections and delivered 836 packages to recipient families and organizations in need. 3,009 volunteer hours were donated and 10,122 volunteer miles driven.

To donate, to receive help or to volunteer please call (908) 927-9001