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(Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) |
Bowery Mission
227 Bowery, nr. Rivington St.; 212-674-3456
Thanksgiving week is the busiest week for the Bowery Mission, which is also one of the most popular spots for volunteering. The slots to serve meals are all booked up, but there are still other ways to help out: by making a financial contribution (each meal costs the Mission $1.59 to make and serve); donating turkey, potatoes, sweet-potatoes, or vegetables; or giving items for "Blessing Bags," like soap, deodorant, hats, and gloves. See a complete list of what is needed here.
Race to Deliver
Meet at the Bethesda Fountain, Central Park West and 72nd St.; 11/23 at 8:30 a.m.; kids race at 10 a.m.; to contact Race to Deliver, 212-294-8119; to contact New York Road Runners, 212-860-4455; [email protected]
A fund-raiser for God's Love We Deliver, the Race to Deliver is a four-mile run/walk with the goal of funding 40,000 meals ($10 equals one meal). Not so athletic? You can also donate money, or send your children to participate in one of the kids' races of varying lengths.
New York Cares Coat Drive
Various locations
As another potentially brutal winter approaches, New York Cares is running its annual coat drive, collecting and delivering warm outerwear to those in need. From November 17 through February, volunteers can host a collection or help sort. If you're short on time, donations are always accepted. More information here.
JASA's Bay Eden Senior Center
Jewish Association Serving the Aging, 1220 E. 229th St., nr. Schieffelin Ave., Bronx; 718-882-3815; 11/25
Brush up on those dance moves with the Jewish Association Serving the Aging. It's looking for volunteers to help set up, serve food, mingle with the seniors, and clean up afterwards at its Thanksgiving celebration. Email [email protected] for more information.
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Sleepy puppies had too much turkey.
(Photo: Linda Davidson/The Washington Post/Getty Images) |
Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition
253 Wythe Ave. at N. 1st St., Williamsburg; 718-486-7489
Four-legged friends deserve some Thanksgiving love, too. At this no-kill shelter in Williamsburg, volunteers are needed to hang in the cat loft or walk the dog residents (it's known for bigger breeds) either in the morning (Tue.�Sat., 9:30 a.m.�noon) or evening (Mon., Tue., Thu., 5:30�7:30 p.m.). Must be 21 or older and love fuzzy droolers. Email [email protected] to reserve a spot.
Citymeals on Wheels
Various locations
Though owning a vehicle is helpful to get to the homebound population Citymeals on Wheels services, it's not necessary to volunteer with the organization over the holidays. People are also needed to prepare and serve meals, visit, chat by phone, and write letters to the elderly. See a list of opportunities here, which includes the form to volunteer specifically on Thanksgiving Day.
God's Love We Deliver
166 Sixth Ave. at Spring St.; 212-294-8100
The organization is looking for drivers to drop off nutritious meals and hand-decorated baskets to more than 2,000 New Yorkers on Thanksgiving Day. You’ll need a vehicle, a partner, and a not-terrible sense of direction (but really, a GPS).
The Church of the Holy Trinity
316 East 88th St., nr. Second Ave.; 212-289-4100 x207; [email protected]
Volunteers here can work shifts Monday through Wednesday to help prepare Thanksgiving fixings. Or, if you could use a little exercise, come on Thanksgiving Day to finish the meals and deliver them — by foot, subway, skateboard, whatever. They're also looking for dessert donations, in case you're handy with the flour and sugar.
