Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for all that we have, and what better way to do that than by volunteering your time to help others? There are many great opportunities to volunteer in Florida for Thanksgiving, and we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorites below.
UNITED WAY
During United’s Way Thanksgiving Project, HFUW (The Heart of Florida United Way) team members, board members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors come together to help Central Florida families in need by assembling and distributing Thanksgiving meal kits throughout Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.
These meal kits help make sure our neighbors — including our ALICE families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — can enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal at home with their own traditions.
This year, we will distribute 4,000 — and we need your help! Are you ready to LIVE UNITED to feed Central Florida families?
SOUTHEASTERN FOOD BANK
Southeastern Food Bank will be hosting a food distribution for volunteers, where they load up volunteer vehicles and give them predetermined addresses to deliver boxes of food into the impoverished communities of West Central Florida. They are looking for outgoing and friendly personalities to go out into the community to distribute food.
FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ‘SORT AND PACK’
Southeastern Food Bank along with Publix Super Markets and hundreds of volunteers from the local community will un-load, set up, sort and pack 2000+ boxes of food to be delivered through out the central Florida area this fall.
The goal of this event is to bring the community together. They always have an amazing turn out every year including families, churches, schools, athletic teams, and other civic organizations who take time out of their busy schedules to unite and make a positive impact in the community.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
During the holidays, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida offers a few different ways you can volunteer to help families in need.
- Help Provide Annual Thanksgiving Meal For Thanksgiving, you can get in the spirit by adopting a Club for the holiday. When you do this, you will help provide and service a Thanksgiving meal for members and staff. You will be helping those who help the community and make a difference in so many different ways. After all, those individuals really deserve some appreciation!
- Donate to the Holiday Toy Drive In this Central Florida volunteer opportunity, you can donate to the annual toy drive for the holiday season. The Boys and Girls Club typically requests simple necessities and toys.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
During the holidays, there are two different ways you can volunteer to help families in need with Second Harvest Food Bank:
- Volunteer your time – The Second Harvest Food Bank is always in need of volunteers. Last year alone, they relied on more than 37,000 volunteers to help feed families. Volunteers can help with daily food sorting, helping load food, and by doing light warehouse tasks.
- Donate to the food drive – In December, the WESH2 News Share Your Christmas event takes place. The event is a food drive to help provide meals during the holiday season. There are various dates and areas you can donate to.
SALVATION ARMY OF ORLANDO
The Salvation Army is well-known for helping families in need during the holiday season. They offer many ways you can volunteer your time to help others for Christmas.
- Stuff the Stocking Challenge
This is a challenge that benefits low-income children and seniors living in Orlando and Orange County. You can participate by donating new gifts to help fill the given stockings. Specifically, general items are needed; they do not accept wrapped gifts or food, candy, or money. A full list of items requested can be found on the site.
- Angel Tree Campaign
During the Angel Tree Campaign, trees with special tags will be seen throughout the community. Each tag has a child’s wish on it. To participate, you can take a tag from the tree and donate the items wished for.
ONE HEART FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
One Heart for Women and Children is a community food pantry. During the holidays, they offer hot meals for the homeless and others in need. Hot food meals are served on the last Sunday of each month.
Volunteer your time and join special projects! Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help feed the homeless, sort the food pantry, pick up donations, and more. Special projects like renovating homes or planting gardens is another area that volunteers are welcome.
CENTRAL CARE MISSION THANKSGIVING DINNER
The Central Care Mission in Orlando has a yearly Thanksgiving dinner for homeless men in the Orlando area. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve the meal, greet guests, decorate, and help clean-up afterwards.
Volunteer To Make A Difference! When you volunteer you don’t need to bring anything but a smile and a desire to make a difference. You don’t even have to know how to cook! You are welcome to bring a canned food item to help stock the food pantry, but it’s not required.
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