Collect Canned and Boxed Food for Hope the Missions Thanksgiving Drive
We need your help with food donations for Thanksgiving! We are collecting the following items: pumpkin pie puree (#10 cans), pasta, mac and cheese, corn, and cranberry sauce. The deadline for our Thanksgiving food drive collection is November 13, 2024. If you'd like to host a food drive for Hope the Mission, please reach out to us. Volunteers 13+ are needed.
Deck the Halls at Hope the Mission
Help us lighten the spirits of our participants this season by donating decorations and joining us in decorating our communal spaces and offices at our shelters. We invite you to bring your family, friends, co-workers, and employees to create a festive atmosphere together. Your efforts will bring joy and warmth to those we serve. Let's make this fall a beautiful celebration! Volunteers 13+ are needed.
Donate Turkey and Trimmings to Folks In Need at WHCH
West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing development corporation founded in 1986. With the stability of housing, we transform the lives of low-income individuals and families. Today, WHCHC continues to serve West Hollywood and has expanded into Los Angeles and neighboring areas. We are looking for a donation of turkeys and all its fixings for at least 100 families in our buildings.
Give Young People A Happy Holiday by Shopping My Friend’s Place’s Wishlist
Our annual Holiday Party and in-kind drive is a way for young people ages 12 to 25 who are impacted by homelessness can enjoy themselves and receive both presents and essentials. Our biggest need is donations of items on our Holiday Wishlist, linked below, as we want to provide young people with as much as possible while also stocking up on items for distribution throughout the next year. Monetary contributions can be made via our website as well. Questions can be directed to clothingcloset@myfriendsplace.org
Help Unhoused Individuals with Bundles of Kindness
Bundles of Kindness was established in 2018. Bundles of Kindness' mission is to provide substantial care packages to the Los Angeles homeless community. These packages are delivered through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, food pantries, shelters, safe parking programs, and directly to people who are living on the streets of LA. Care packages typically include: umbrellas, rain ponchos, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, hand warmers, t-shirts, socks, underwear, flip flops, toiletries, facial wipes, dental hygiene products, menstrual products, sunscreen, individually wrapped shelf stable food, water, juice, and information about community resources. Additionally, pet supplies, jackets, sweatshirts, and shoes are made available. Donations can be made through the Bundles of Kindness Amazon Wish List and/or by emailing support@bundlesofkindness.org.
Lend A Hand (Or Wing) At Hope the Missions Drumstick Dash
We're excited to invite you to volunteer at Drumstick Dash LA, Hope the Mission's 5K/10K Annual Turkey Trot! This is one of our biggest fundraisers, and we need all hands on deck to ensure its success. At this event, runners are moving their feet so others can eat. We're looking for volunteers to help with setup and breakdown, photography, medal distribution, swag area management, water distribution, and so much more.Volunteers 13+ are needed.
Sponsor a Bag or Two (or more!) for Big Sunday’s 13th Annual Stuffing Event
A super easy way to participate and a great way to help us get food to those in need. Sponsor a Bag or Two (or more!) Each bag costs $35. Select as many as you like!
Donate to the Welcome Home Kits for Families Wishlist
WELCOME HOME KITS FOR FAMILIES Every week, PATH moves dozens of previously homeless families off the streets and into homes. As we anticipate the opening of two new permanent supportive housing sites in the Spring, help their new residents feel safe and comfortable in their new home by providing a "Welcome Home Kit" filled with basic home goods, kitchen items, and cleaning supplies. Welcome Home Kits are critical, especially amidst all the uncertainty of the pandemic. These kits not only meet our families' essential needs, but they can help start their journey of having a new place to call home! Please check out their Welcome Home Wishlist to help support!
Shop our Registry for Big Sunday’s 13th Annual Stuffing Event
A super easy way to participate and a great way to help us get food to those in need. Sponsor a Bag or Two (or more!) Each bag costs $35. Select as many as you like!
Donate to Support North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry
There are several ways to be a giving person to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry. Giving is a year-round effort, and not just during the holidays. Please consider supporting them so they can continue to provide food to the community!
Make Snack Bag Kits at Home
Help PATH build relationships with our neighbors experiencing homelessness! This a perfect opportunity to get a group together and get directly involved in making a difference! This opportunity would involve you or your group hosting a drive or purchasing non-perishable snacks, and then assembling the items into brown paper bags. Drop offs must be scheduled in advance. Snack Bags are an engagement tool that PATH utilizes to build relationships and connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. PATH street outreach teams distribute the Snack Bags to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Snack Bags typically include a travel size water bottle or beverage and any individually wrapped nonperishable snack that can be eaten on-the-go such as: chips, granola bars, goldfish, crackers, trail mix, jerky, nuts, etc.
Make Cards for Big Sunday’s 13th Annual Stuffing Event
We like to include a personal note in each bag. It not only connects us but turns a bag of food into a nice gift. Can you help us make some cards? Great talent isn't necessary, so long as you're sincere! Plus, you can make them right at home! Please deliver by Monday, November 25 at 5pm.
Donate to Support Manna Conejo Valley Food Distribution Center
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank is a unique food pantry started more than 52 years ago to support families in the Conejo Valley that were struggling with food insecurity. We serve an average of 300+ families each month and distribute more than 275,000+ pounds of food each year. Manna serves as a safety net for our neighbors struggling to make ends meet due to job loss, underemployment, disability or fixed incomes. We serve our neighbors with dignity by providing a well-stocked free grocery store. Our shelves are full of pantry staples, our refrigerators offer fresh produce and dairy, and our freezer holds frozen chicken and variety of other frozen selections. Please help Manna by making a tax-deductible donation today to help support the pantry, its programs, and to purchase food.
Shop on Amazon to Support North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry
Love shopping for groceries on Amazon? Then this is perfect for you! Donate food to North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry by shopping on their Amazon Wish List. Any amount helps!
Host a Collection for Big Sunday’s 13th Annual Stuffing Event
Collections are happening all around town Ð in schools, faith groups and offices! This is a great way for students to receive community service hours. You can collect items and drop off at our offices by Friday, Nov 22 at 1pm, please.
Sponsor A Thanksgiving Meal at Hope the Mission
Help us bring warmth and comfort to those in need this holiday season. This year, we'll host Thanksgiving celebrations in all 23 of our shelters, serving a traditional meal complete with oven-roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, salads, and pumpkin pie. Your contribution, no matter the size, ensures that no one goes hungry at Hope the Mission this Thanksgiving. Check the link to sponsor a meal. Volunteers 13+ are needed.
Have A Car? Help PATH and Become a Food Rescue Driver
Food Rescue Driver volunteers will help the PATH staff team to combat food insecurity by helping to bring much needed food resources directly to the communities that they serve. PATH partners with local food rescue agencies, grocery stores, and restaurants to rescue excess food and then distribute it to individuals and families that are food insecure. Food Rescue Drivers commit to a regularly scheduled weekly food rescue shift, where they are assigned a day and time to pick up food donations for delivery to a local PATH site. This position is ideal for individuals who would like to help support individuals and families impacted by homelessness, and at the same time help reduce food waste. Shifts are currently available immediately on Monday and Friday mornings to support PATH sites in the Metro LA and Hollywood areas. Please email us at PATHVolunteers@epath.org to learn more, or to sign up to get started as a Food Rescue Driver! Drivers must be 18 years of age or older.
Donate to the Care Kits for Outreach Wishlist
As you shop for personal hygiene items, pick up a few extra supplies to help individuals currently experiencing homelessness or purchase them here Outreach Kits. and have them shipped directly to PATH. Urgent Needs: Hand sanitizer, Soap & shampoo, Cleansing wipes, Socks & cold weather clothing, Blankets, Non-perishable snacks & bottled water. NOTE: *For health and safety reasons, all Care Kit items must be new & unopened.
Help Whip Up Some Lunch for Vets at PATH Everyday
PATH provides meals to their residents in interim housing. When groups sign up to provide meals, it helps PATH focus its resources on providing housing and support services for their residents. Their male veterans in West LA love to have home-cooked meals from volunteers. Shifts are currently available at their West LA site. They understand not everyone is comfortable with on-site volunteering. If you want to support the male veterans, ask them about sponsoring a meal through a meal delivery service or catering!
Help at Downtown Women’s Center Onsite Kitchen Early Morning Shift on Fridays
DWC's Kitchen served over 260,000 meals in 2020 alone: our incredible Kitchen team serves three nutritious meals seven days a week and offers an important space for women to connect and to share a meal with each other. Kitchen volunteers help with meal preparation (e.g. chopping and measuring); help keep the kitchen clean and organized (e.g. wiping counters, organizing the food pantry and cabinets); and serve our delicious meals to participants. Kitchen volunteering is a great fit for volunteers who like working in a team while also interacting with DWC participants.
Featured Projects
Host a Collection for Big Sunday’s 13th Annual Stuffing Event
Big Sunday,
berenice@bigsunday.org,
(323) 549-9944
Collections are happening all around town Ð in schools, faith groups and offices! This is a great way for students to receive community service hours. You can collect items and drop off at our offices by Friday, Nov 22 at 1pm, please.
Donate Clothes and Hygiene Essentials to Project Ropa
Project Ropa,
info@projectropa.org,
(310) 400-7114
By donating, you directly support Project Ropa’s programs and enable them to continue making a difference in the lives of those in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps to restore hope and dignity. They gladly accept in-kind donations of hygiene products, adult size clothing, shoes and accessories. Please review list of items they’re looking for and fill out their donation form to schedule a donation drop off or pick up.
Drop off Cold Weather Items & Snacks for Skid Row
Covenant House California,
mfarrell@covca.org,
(323) 461-3131
Covenant House California (CHC) is a non-profit youth shelter that provides sanctuary and support for youth experiencing homelessness, ages 18-24. We believe that no young person deserves to be homeless; that every young person in California deserves shelter, food, clothing, education and most importantly, to be loved.We are in need of Donations needed for Skid Row including warm socks, beanies, gloves, and a blanket and granola bars. Drop off items to Covenant House anytime up to December 8.
Assist with Kitchen Duties and Prepping Meals – Monday Dinner Shift
LA Family Housing,
Volunteer@LAFH.org,
Volunteering in the kitchen can be a great way to give back to your community. Whether you’re helping to prepare meals for those in need, or assisting with kitchen duties such as food serving, bussing, or greeting, your time and effort can make a significant impact on those transitioning away from homelessness. Please keep in mind that you will be asked to also tend to the dining area where you will interact with the participants that LAFH serves. Provide quality service by serving nourishing meals for those who may not otherwise have access to them. You can also help to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where people can gather and connect over a warm meal. Dress code: Pants, closed-toed shoes, and clean shirt. All volunteers will be wearing a hairnet and gloves. Volunteers need to be 18 plus.
Join Hollywood Wednesday Farmers Market Glean with Food Forward
Food Forward,
volunteer@foodforward.org,
(818) 764-1022
Recover produce, fight hunger, and build community at your local farmers market! We “glean”—meaning we collect fresh, surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste–and donate 100% to local hunger relief organizations. Join the Volunteer Glean Team to help collect fruit and vegetable donations from vendors at the farmers market, and then box, sort, and weigh the donations. Volunteers should be comfortable carrying boxes of produce that may weigh up to 40 pounds, but can register to volunteer with someone who can help them lift if 40 pounds is too heavy. Volunteers don’t need to worry about bringing equipment or transporting the food. This opportunity is open to volunteers 12 years old and older, though children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please check the Volunteer FAQ page on their website to learn more about what to expect at volunteer events.
Get Your Hands Dirty at Garden School Foundation’s Community Garden Day
Garden School Foundation,
join-us@gardenschoolfoundation.org,
(802) 779-2889
Garden School Foundation provides in-depth garden-based education to youth at Title I schools in Los Angeles, strengthening connections between food justice, environmental stewardship, and community health. By using the full transformative potential of school gardens as teaching sites, we nurture a healthy and mindful generation of children who care for their bodies, their communities, and the earth. We currently serve ten Title I elementary schools, reaching over 3,200 students and their families each year. As a GSF volunteer, you’ll play a indispensable role in maintaining our historic school garden at an elementary school in West Adams. Your work will help us maintain a space that is both educational and beautiful, and will positively impact both the environment and student growth. Join us to learn new skills, connect with nature, and enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding day with our local community. Together you’ll work alongside GSF staff and school families to weed the garden, refresh mulch pathways, harvest veggies from our production farm, build new raised beds, and more! After a morning of hard work and good vibes, we’ll share a light lunch together (provided by our partners at Sprouts) under the fig trees. Volunteers should wear close-toe shoes and loose, comfy clothes that are school-appropriate. Complimentary t-shirts will also be provided. We encourage volunteers to bring their own water bottles and sun protection.