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A bar of small soap, a box of socks or a stack of paper bowls may not sound like much, but at PERC in Union City, Hudson County, NJ, they go straight to neighbors who need them. The Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation, known as PERC, runs a shelter, a food pantry and a soup kitchen that is open to the public, and its team has put out a call for donations as the colder months arrive.
As we look ahead to Thanksgiving and the holidays, here is a guide to what PERC does, what it needs most and the easiest ways to help, all confirmed from the shelter’s own website.
What PERC Does in Union City
PERC says it works to provide emergency shelter and transform lives. Its services include:
- Shelter: safe and secure accommodations for individuals experiencing homelessness
- Food pantry: access to nutritious food for people in need
- Soup kitchen: a kitchen open to the public, with warm meals and no need to be staying at the shelter
- Case management: personalized support to help people overcome homelessness and reach stability
- Basic needs support: essentials such as clothing, hygiene products and blankets
The shelter says that over the last five years it has placed 2,500 people in safe, permanent and affordable housing.
What PERC Needs Most Right Now
PERC’s website lists these items as the most needed:
- Small soap (hotel or travel size)
- Men’s razors
- Travel size deodorant (men’s, women’s and unisex)
- Disposable paper products: 9 inch plates, soup bowls and 8 ounce cups
- Unisex adult socks
You can drop donations at the shelter and soup kitchen entrance at 111 37th Street in Union City any day of the week, according to PERC, or order from the shelter’s Amazon wish list, linked from its 3 Ways to Give page.
Three Ways to Give
PERC organizes giving into three simple options:
- Support with supplies: donate the items above, by drop off or from the Amazon wish list.
- Adopt a Bed: “adopt” a shelter bed with a contribution that helps provide a safe place to stay.
- Volunteer: help in the pantry and soup kitchen. Shifts run on a scheduled calendar, and you pick the dates and times that suit you after filling out the volunteer registration form.
Run for PERC on November 14
PERC is also the beneficiary of a student-led race in Weehawken. According to the organizers, 100% of the money raised at the 2nd Annual Weehawken 5K Walk/Run for Food Justice on Saturday, November 14, 2026, supports PERC shelter and community education about food insecurity. Get the times and prices in our guide to the Weehawken 5K for Food Justice.
How to Reach PERC
- Shelter, soup kitchen and food pantry: 111 37th Street, Union City, NJ 07087
- Additional address listed: 108 36th Street, Union City, NJ 07087
- Phone: 201-348-8150
- Email: info@percshelter.org
- Website: thepercshelter.org
More Ways to Give Back in Hudson County
PERC is one of many Hudson County groups that could use a hand this season. Our story on the HoBOOken 5K for The Hoboken Shelter shows another shelter benefit race, and our guide to things to do in Hudson County in November has more community events on the calendar. You can also help local businesses and neighbors by voting in the Best of Hudson County 2026 ballot.
To get community stories and local events in your inbox every week, subscribe to the Shop Hudson County newsletter.
Featured photo: The Eloquent Peasant, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
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