With Thanksgiving one week away, we’ve been besieged by folks who want to let you know about good deeds you can do, to help those in need. So we’re donating this edition of Weekend Picks to their suggestions:

This pre-Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to donate a coat. Our friends at Keepsakes To Faith (www.keepsakesbyfaith.com) are collaborating with the Homeless To Independence non-profit (www.homelesstoindependence.org) to undertake a massive coat drive.

If you live in Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Essex, or Union Counties, you can call Ann Marie-Frey at 609.575.8048 or Faith Saunders at 908.313.5900, to arrange a pick-up at your house.

Our source at Heidi’s Cottage in Dunellen (www.heidiscottage.com) reminds us that
Saturday is the day for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s annual Turkey Drive. There are more than 30 drop off locations all around the state; turkeys (frozen only) and canned or powdered foods are wanted. Check the Food Bank website (www.njfoodbank.org) for locations and times.

It’s not to late to join the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield’s 50th Anniversary fundraiser tonight at Venetian Caterers (www.bgcgarfield.org). Former Jets receiver and club alumnus Wayne Chrebet is the special guest.

Though next Tuesday, Vino Fine Wines (www.vinofinewines.com) in Boonton is collecting non-perishable food and other items for the Morristown Market Street Mission. Clothing, school supplies, kitchen and bath supplies are welcome.

Thinking about adopting a pet? Animal lovers at St. Hubert’s Animal Shelters (www.sthuberts.org) say they are overflowing with homeless cats. It’s so crowded they’re offering “two fur the price of one” to encourage adoptions.

It’s not too early to reserve your Thanksgiving table at Alexis Diner (www.alexisdinernj.com) in Denville. All of the proceeds from the traditional Thanksgiving meal, with all the trimmings, will be donated to St. Peter’s Orphanage.

And for those in need, the folks at Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park (www.langostalounge.com) are teaming with a local church and cooking up a free Thanksgiving dinner of turkey or ham. Volunteers are also distributing winter coats.

This is the time of year to think of ways to help others less fortunate. We’re here to help.

Tags: Asbury Park, NJ Community Food Bank, St Hubert’s Boys and Girls Clubs