Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities

With Thanksgiving coming up this month, I wanted to highlight some great ways NYC kids and their parents can help give back to those in need. Here are a range of opportunities for children of all ages so everyone can participate. While kids may not be able to work in a soup kitchen, they can certainly help the homeless and hungry in other meaningful ways. This is a subject that is becoming very dear to my heart.  Just last night, I watched a moving documentary, “A Place at the Table,” which investigates incidents of hunger experienced by millions of Americans, and proposed solutions to the problem.  I will post more about the subject in another post soon but in the meantime, take a look at these great programs and make some plans to share your love to those who need it this holiday season.

GLWD

God’s Love We Deliver Thanksgiving Morning Meal Delivery

Various locations, Visit the website for details
Thursday, November 28 9:30am-12:30pm
God’s Love We Deliver (GWLD) prepares and delivers nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. More than 800 volunteers cook and deliver Thanksgiving meals to residents. While this project takes place on Thanksgiving morning, families will have plenty of time to make it home for their own meal. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and their own car, and register in advance but kids are welcome to participate. Their presence definitely cheers up any delivery! Visit the website for a list of available delivery opportunities throughout NYC.

GLWD Race

God’s Love We Deliver – The Race to Deliver

Sunday, November 24 at 8:30am
Another great GLWD fundraiser, and this one is super-fun for kids. This four-mile run/walk in Central Park is followed by a variety of children’s races sponsored by New York Road Runners. Over the past two decades, nearly 88,000 caring New Yorkers have participated, with 5,000 more anticipated this year. Sign up as a family, join a preexisting team, or sponsor a runner or team, all through theGLWD website.

FeedingNYC

FeedingNYC 2013

Pier 60/Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street and the West Side Highway
Tuesday, November 26, shifts run all day beginning at 6am
For the past 12 years, this grassroots organization has delivered over 43,000 complete Thanksgiving meals to New York City families in shelters. Join more than 400 volunteers to help pack and deliver meals on Tuesday, November 26. All ages can participate but volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a signed waiver.

New York Cares

New York Cares

The city’s largest volunteer organization, has dozens of programs you can take part in over Thanksgiving week—from serving meals to running children’s art projects. All volunteers are required to go through a one-hour orientation before signing up for a program; the orientations, which can be booked online, take place every Monday through Thursday.
214 W 29th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-228-5000, newyorkcares.org)
Volunteer contact: Wes Moe (info@newyorkcares.org)

Bowery Mission

The Bowery Mission

No help is needed to get the word out about this place: Bowery Mission has been serving Thanksgiving meals to its community for the past 132 years. According to one volunteer coordinator, “a lot of people have made volunteering here their holiday tradition. They are very vigilant about watching when our online registration goes live and making sure they get their slot.” Despite the fact that most of those 900 spots have already been filled, the church still requires specific last-minute donations like turkeys, yams, frozen veggies, macaroni and stuffing, not to mention personal-care items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors) for the “Blessing Bags,” which are distributed to attendees. It’s not too late to start a toiletries drive at your workplace; donations will be accepted right up until Turkey Day.
227 Bowery between Rivington and Stanton Sts (212-674-3456, bowery.org)
Volunteer contact: Matt Krivich, mkrivich@bowery.org

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Claudia Saez-Fromm

An entrepreneur, innovator, and singularly successful real estate salesperson, fitness fiend, foodie, mommy, and fashion fan. www.claudiasaezfromm.com

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