The holiday season is full of joy and celebration, but it’s also a perfect time to pause, count our blessings, and think about what really matters. While we enjoy all the season has to offer, it’s also a great opportunity to give back. Volunteering is always valuable, but many organizations feel the extra pressure around the holidays as they work to support those in need across the city.
If you're in NYC, there are plenty of ways to get involved during Thanksgiving and the holidays. Whether you're sorting meals, delivering food, or lending a hand at a pet shelter, even the smallest efforts can make a big difference this time of year. These organizations do amazing work year-round, but they’re especially busy during the holidays, and they could really use some extra hands.
But don’t forget—the need for volunteers doesn’t end when the holidays do. Consider adding a regular volunteer shift to your routine, and keep that giving spirit going all year long!
If you have a car, this organization, which feeds 18,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers annually, is ready to put you into action. As always, the organization will need as many hands as possible during holiday season, so be sure to sign up for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s opportunities, and it'll be in touch.
Have a car? Perfect! GLWD’s (nonsectarian) mission is to serve food to those too ill to shop or cook for themselves, shlepping over 6,500 dinners each Turkey Day all around the city. So sign up through email—and quick! Come December, you can deliver meals for Winter Feast on Christmas Eve morning or decorate the delivery bags beforehand.
This soup kitchen and food pantry hands out hot meals daily and bundles of groceries weekly. Masbia’s locations in Rego Park and Flatbush can use helping hands for cooking, food prep and meal serving for the Jewish High Holidays, Thanksgiving, Hannukah and beyond. Sign up to volunteer at one of Masbia’s four centers in Brooklyn and Queens. You can also show up on Thanksgiving if the spirit moves you; just know the center may already have enough people on hand. Fill out the volunteer application online, and remember, you can always donate food as well.
A clone of L.A.’s holiday meal delivery program, GGG welcomes 500 volunteers to gather at the Church of Intercession in Harlem on Thanksgiving and assemble takeout meals for 200-plus predetermined families and indiviuals in shelters or low-income housing. Sign up online to put together meals or drop them off via car, and if the volunteer capacity happens to fill up, you are welcome to donate cooked turkey, vegetables or desserts or any canned goods, as well as clothing, toiletries, toys and children’s books.
Want even more chances to give back? Search hundreds of volunteer opportunities by date, location, activity and more, all on one site!
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