The Community Outreach Group, Inc., was established in 1982 and is an ecumenical, faith-based, non-profit, volunteer organization serving the needy through the Calico Cat Cupboard and Food Pantry, the Emergency Assistance Fund and the Calico Cat Thrift Shop.

Located at 96 Kings Highway, Middletown, C.O.G. serves the townships of:  Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Belford, Cliffwood, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Leonardo, Lincroft, Matawan, Middletown, Port Monmouth and Union Beach. 

C.O.G. will assist in providing material and financial resources to clients and advocate for changes to be made where there is injustice.

C.O.G. has an Emergency Assistance Fund which provides financial assistance to persons in extreme need once a year.  Clients can pick up an application at our location or use website: www.monmouthcog.org. Appointments are required.

C.O.G. also operates the Calico Cat Food Pantry & Cupboard in which free food, personal care items, cleaning supplies, diapers, baby formula and equipment, clothing, car seats, bedding, towels, small appliances, cookware, kitchen items and books are distributed to folks in need.

First time client visitors must obtain referrals from private, state or medical community and must present identification.

C.O.G.’s hours of operation are Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  (closed 12 noon – 1 o’clock for lunch.) Evening Hours for working low income client only are available every fourth Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Calico Cat Thrift Shop is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Donations are accepted during hours of operation or may be brought to the parking lot area behind the building after hours.  Donations must be clean, attractive and up-to-date clothing, curtains, drapes, sheets, blankets and towels, cookware, flatware, working small appliances, lamps, dishes, glassware, baby equipment, jewelry, and bric brac.  Furniture, televisions and outdated volumes of books are not accepted.

C.O.G. welcomes volunteers and asks for a commitment of three hours a week or more. To learn more about volunteering at C.O.G., call 732-671-0550 or contact Janice Liebenow at [email protected].

Parishes, ministry programs and charitable and outreach organizations in need of volunteers are invited to send details to [email protected]