Help bring comfort and joy to Ocean County families dealing with mental health issues

Ocean Mental Health Services is seeking basic necessities this holiday season to help as many as many as 100 clients living at or below the poverty level, according to the agency's Development and Marketing Specialist Lisa Mulhearn. 

"A lot of them can't work, or live off social security, so making those ends meet becomes an even bigger hurdle for them, and a lot of people suffering from a mental health issue won't use the traditional food pantries and different means that are out there for them to perhaps take advantage of some of the services that are meant to help somebody that's in a financial or homeless situation," said Mulhearn.

Ocean Mental Health Services 'Season of Giving Food & Gift Drive' is seeking non-perishable food items, including canned vegetables and fruit, soup and broth, pasta, rice and beans, mashed potato mix, stuffing mix, drink mixes and cake and brownie mix.

"Anything that can help feed the families, and maybe compliment a meal. Small denomination gift cards are great because we really don't have a place to keep perishables, so if we get a small amount on a gift card, we can go with them and buy the perishable stuff that they can use to make a meal," Mulhearn said. She pointed out, "Some of our families live in hotels who really don't have a way to cook, so we can maybe get them a prepared meal or rotisserie chicken, something like that from one of the grocery stores."

Ocean Mental Health Services also is seeking new new coasts, gloves, hats and scarves, personal care items and pajamas for children, teens and adults.

Unwrapped toys needed include arts and crafts, books, sporting equipment, games and puzzles, and compact discs and DVD's (Rated G, PG 13/17 and PG).

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., at the Ocean Mental Health Services Administration Building, 687 Route 9, Bayville, NJ, 08721, or at 81 Nautilus Drive, Manahawkin, NJ, 08050.

Monetary donations can be made by visiting www.OceanMHS.org or by calling 732-349-5550.