Where to Volunteer in NYC This Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, the concept of gratitude fills conversations— the holiday is a moment to take stock and count blessings. It’s also a moment to give back to others who have been less fortunate. For those interested in volunteering this holiday, New York City has an abundance of programs and opportunities to serve others in need.

New York Cares is a site that lists volunteer opportunities across New York City. The site has a search feature enabling users to find opportunities based on date or location or issue. There are hundreds of ways to give back from volunteering in soup kitchens to donating to coat drives for winter to tutoring students. The site makes giving back simple and is a great starting point.

The Bowery Mission has been caring for those in need since the 1870s, with a results-driven approach to breaking cycles of poverty, dependence and hopelessness. They offer multiple services including meals, youth tutoring and clothing drives. Volunteer opportunities are available on their website.

This charitable organization’s Thanksgiving mission is to serve food to those who are unable to cook or leave their homes. This year they will cook and deliver over 11,000 meals for Thanksgiving. God’s Love We Deliver enlists volunteers to help with meal delivery and prep. If you don’t have time, you can assist financially by purchasing a meal for a family. God’s Love We Deliver delivers healthy meals year round to those in need and has special programs for children. For more information, visit their website.

New Alternatives serves the LGBTQ and homeless youth in New York. They help homeless youth transition out of the shelter system to stable lives. New Alternatives offers long term support, skills training and other means of assistance to those in need. Volunteers are a vital part of the organization and their greatest need is for kitchen volunteers at weekly community dinners on Sundays. Check the website for details, as much of the normal volunteer schedules have been suspended due to Covid. And if you’re unable to volunteer, donations are another way to give to those in need.

The Food Bank does far more than simply feed those in need. The organization fulfills many needs and its volunteers play a critical part in its mission. From filing tax returns for low-income families in New York, to writing letters of hope, to helping with meal services, there are a number of ways to get involved with this outstanding organization that has been in New York for over 38 years, generously giving back $1,069,000,000 to the communities it serves.

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