This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Montclair Township Animal Shelter Wraps Up First Online Animal Shelter Drive with YouGiveGoods

New Jersey Animal Shelter Raises Almost 2 Tons of Food and Supplies Via Online Platform


When Melissa Neiss, Manager of Montclair Township Animal Shelter (MTAS), was browsing Facebook one day, she came across something very interesting. Her friend and fellow animal lover, Scott Crawford of The Associated Humane Societies (AHS), had recently finished up AHS’s first and very successful Online Animal Shelter Drive with YouGiveGoods. Via his Facebook, Scott conveyed AHS’s excitement toward their YouGiveGoods drive, which raised over three tons of goods for animals in need at no cost to AHS.


Melissa was intrigued. She decided to start her own Online Animal Shelter Drive in support of MTAS, “Stock the Shelter Drive.” Melissa said, “I thought YouGiveGoods was a great idea! How easy for people to do something great! I also love the way it reduces the environmental impact!”

Find out what's happening in Caldwellswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


The drive began on July 8 with a goal of 520 items including dog and puppy food, cat and kitten food, garbage bags, bleach, peanut butter, wet cat/dog food, etc. After just four days, Melissa and her team at MTAS had received so much support through their Online Drive that they decided to increase the goal. Melissa said, “This was amazing. There has been an awesome response. We are so excited!” By the end, MTAS raised more than twice as much as they had hoped for.


Thanks to loyal supporters who were made aware of their YouGiveGoods campaign via e-mails and social media efforts, MTAS ultimately wrapped up their drive having raised 3,515 pounds of food and supplies.

Find out what's happening in Caldwellswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


YouGiveGoods Animal Shelter Community Manager, Marie Maxwell said, “The animal shelter community here in New Jersey is not only extremely caring, but tight-knit as well. It’s amazing how fast the word about the help that YouGiveGoods can provide animals is spreading from person to person, and shelter to shelter. Montclair Township Animal Shelter was awesome to work with. We were so happy to host their drive, and hope to work with them again in the future!’”


The Montclair Township Animal Shelter (MTAS) is a not-for-profit, municipal organization. They are located at 77 Willow Street in Montclair.


YouGiveGoods is based in Mendham, NJ and is operated by a group of people who strongly believe in the importance of helping others in need. It was developed to allow people and organizations to send goods more efficiently and effectively to food pantries, animal shelters, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other organizations across the country. The innovative e-commerce platform is designed to inspire people to give and help others. Visit YouGiveGoods.com/animalshelters.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?