7 Ways to Volunteer for Thanksgiving

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive difference to the community during the Thanksgiving season, here are some ideas from DoSomething.org on ways to show your giving heart for service.

1. Serve dinner at a homeless shelter:  For too many people, the warm meal and companionship they receive on Thanksgiving at an area kitchen or shelter makes their year. In this area, you can make people's day by lending assistance to the Community FoodBank of NJ. The food bank's location at 31 Evans Terminal in Hillside is the closest to our area needs volunteers for numerous tasks throughout the week. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Traci Hendricks at 908-355-3663, ext. 221 or thendricks@cfbnj.org to find out specific needs and to schedule a time to lend a hand. Also contact The Salvation Army at 76 N. Bergen St. in Dover or 95 Spring St. in Morristown for ideas on where to help out serving or prepping meals. 
2. Deliver a meal:  If you have a car (or if you can borrow a car from the rents’) consider volunteering with a local Meals on Wheels program to bring a hot dinner to those who aren’t able to join family or friends.  
3. Run a Turkey Trot:  Is it possible to hold a quick 'trot' or race as a hook for a last-minute nonperishable food collection within your extended family, school, faith community or civic group to help a local family or one of the worthy organizations on this list? Why, of course it is!
4. Invite a Neighbor or Classmate:  Some of our favorite holidays have been the ones in which we opened our family celebration to those who were all alone for Thanksgiving. If you know someone planning to be alone on the day, invite them to have dinner with your family and friends. 
5. Take Dishes to Public Service People:  While you are enjoying your family day or hitting the malls, fire fighters, police officers, health care staffers and retail workers are all on the job. Take a few dishes of holiday foods or desserts to the local fire station or police department for the people on duty. Drop off cookies to the hardworking mall cashiers. Drop off a pie or two at the emergency room with your thanks.
6. Visit a Hospital:  Speaking of hospital workers, patients need love on Thanksgiving too. While you're dropping off a pie for hardworking medical professionals missing out on their holiday, pay a visit to patients who may be spending the day all alone (one idea, volunteer to read a turkey-themed story to sick kids). They'll be thankful for you. Make sure to call in advance your intended hospital to find out about volunteer policies.  
7. Visit a Retirement Home:  Our seasoned citizens sometimes are all alone for the holidays. After making sure it's okay with staff, visit a residence for the elderly and share some Thanksgiving love with people who deserve it. And take the kids—you'll be giving a memorable gift all the way around.
   
   

Still in the giving mood? Consider contributing to these regional charitable efforts involving people in the area.

Please share other Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities in the comments below.