Want to Cook for Others? Provide Breakfast to Residents with the Guest Chef Program at Ascencia
The Guest Chef Program is an incredible way for you to help their efforts, and is a tremendous savings to their operations on a day-to-day basis! Every day at Ascencia's shelter, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for unhoused families and adults in their Emergency Housing program. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, their "Guest Chefs" give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate. Their Guest Chef Teams will plan the menu, purchase, and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to their shelter residents. Volunteers in their Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 40 shelter residents on a daily basis. Their Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food. You can help by bringing disposable plates, cups, napkins, forks, spoons, and knives. Don't have time to cook and prepare the meal? Many of their Guest Chefs pick up food from local restaurants! For breakfast, Ascencia needs volunteers to prepare morning-friendly meals like eggs, pancakes, bacon, or quiches, along with beverages such as milk or juice. Guest Chefs should plan to arrive around 5:00 am to ensure the meal is ready for the 6:00 am serving time.
Welcome & Support Day Center Participants at Downtown Women’s Center
The Day Center is the point of entry for women and gender-diverse individuals coming through DWC’s doors: it provides access to three meals a day; clean bathrooms and showers, changes of clothes, an address for individuals to receive mail, case management; and medical services. Day Center volunteers support the Day Center team by welcoming participants; helping distribute donations, mail, toiletry items, and meals; participating in and/or leading enrichment activities; and helping create a safe, welcoming space for the individuals receiving services in their community. Must be 18 or older.
Prepare & Serve Delicious Meals at Downtown Women’s Center
DWC’s Kitchen served over 260,000 meals in 2020 alone: their incredible Kitchen team serves three nutritious meals seven days a week and offers an important space for women and gender-diverse individuals 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 delicious meals to participants. Kitchen volunteering is a great fit for volunteers who like working in a team while also interacting with DWC participants. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Volunteer to Distribute Meals For Union Station Homeless Services’ Dinner in the Park 2025
For over 50 years, everyone at Union Station Homeless Services has celebrated Thanksgiving with those in need. Dinner in the Park is a beloved holiday tradition that brings the community together over celebratory meals. They have a variety of volunteer shifts available to make Dinner in the Park happen this year! You and your friends, family, organization, or business can help out this year by preparing food, packaging meal boxes, carving turkeys, serving hot meals, and more!
Welcome & Support Day Center Participants at Downtown Women’s Center
The Day Center is the point of entry for women and gender-diverse individuals coming through DWC’s doors: it provides access to three meals a day; clean bathrooms and showers, changes of clothes, an address for individuals to receive mail, case management; and medical services. Day Center volunteers support the Day Center team by welcoming participants; helping distribute donations, mail, toiletry items, and meals; participating in and/or leading enrichment activities; and helping create a safe, welcoming space for the individuals receiving services in their community. Must be 18 or older.
Prepare & Serve Delicious Meals at Downtown Women’s Center
DWC’s Kitchen served over 260,000 meals in 2020 alone: their incredible Kitchen team serves three nutritious meals seven days a week and offers an important space for women and gender-diverse individuals 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 delicious meals to participants. Kitchen volunteering is a great fit for volunteers who like working in a team while also interacting with DWC participants. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Prep Meals with Hollywood Food Coalition
The Community Dinner serves unhoused and food insecure individuals in Hollywood. Hollywood Food Coalition use fresh and recycled food from all over LA to prepare a hot, delicious meal 7 days a week. Their Meal Prep shift utilizes volunteers to prepare for their dinner service. They serve anywhere from 150 to 350 meals a night. Their daily meal preparation is "creative cooking" -- you'll see what has been donated that day and from those ingredients create their meal -- no recipes included. Kitchen leads will be there to guide and support you throughout the shift.
Help Serve Meals All Week at the Community Dinner with Hollywood Food Coalition
Hollywood Food Coalition’s Community Dinner is their signature and longest-running program. They serve nightly to anyone in need of a hot, nutritious meal. Their consistency builds trust with their guests, which helps connect them with further services. The Meal Service Shift begins at 5:30 pm in the kitchen at their Community Dinner program. They pack and serve their to-go meals at the kitchen every Monday through Friday. Kitchen leads will be there to guide and support you throughout the shift.Consider helping out with their Community Dinners on Mondays through Friday! Kids 10+ are welcome with adult accompaniment.
Volunteer to Distribute Meals For Union Station Homeless Services’ Dinner in the Park 2025
For over 50 years, everyone at Union Station Homeless Services has celebrated Thanksgiving with those in need. Dinner in the Park is a beloved holiday tradition that brings the community together over celebratory meals. They have a variety of volunteer shifts available to make Dinner in the Park happen this year! You and your friends, family, organization, or business can help out this year by preparing food, packaging meal boxes, carving turkeys, serving hot meals, and more!
Make The Race Possible at Hope The Mission’s Drumstick Dash
Drumstick Dash LA is Hope the Missions 5K/10K Annual Turkey Trot! It is one of Hope The Mission's biggest fundraisers and they need the most hands on deck to ensure the event goes well. At this event, runners are moving their feet so others can eat. They are in need of set up/break down help, photographers, medal handlers, swag area distributors, water distributors, etc. Volunteers must be 13 or older.
Want to Cook for Others? Provide Breakfast to Residents with the Guest Chef Program at Ascencia
The Guest Chef Program is an incredible way for you to help their efforts, and is a tremendous savings to their operations on a day-to-day basis! Every day at Ascencia's shelter, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for unhoused families and adults in their Emergency Housing program. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, their "Guest Chefs" give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate. Their Guest Chef Teams will plan the menu, purchase, and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to their shelter residents. Volunteers in their Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 40 shelter residents on a daily basis. Their Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food. You can help by bringing disposable plates, cups, napkins, forks, spoons, and knives. Don't have time to cook and prepare the meal? Many of their Guest Chefs pick up food from local restaurants! For breakfast, Ascencia needs volunteers to prepare morning-friendly meals like eggs, pancakes, bacon, or quiches, along with beverages such as milk or juice. Guest Chefs should plan to arrive around 5:00 am to ensure the meal is ready for the 6:00 am serving time.
Run For A Cause at Hope The Mission’s Drumstick Dash
Drumstick Dash LA is LA’s Largest Thanksgiving 5k/10k run. Fun for all the family and serious runners alike–including lots of freebies, a costume contest, awards and the satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause. Runners will receive a T-Shirt and the BIGGEST . . . best finishers medal yet! This year the course will take runners, joggers and walkers through the NoHo Arts District, where participants will be greeted by cheering crowds and DJ’s pumping the tunes. All proceeds from this event will help Hope the Mission provide over 2 million hot meals for homeless men, women and children.
Prepare & Serve Delicious Meals at Downtown Women’s Center
DWC’s Kitchen served over 260,000 meals in 2020 alone: their incredible Kitchen team serves three nutritious meals seven days a week and offers an important space for women and gender-diverse individuals 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 delicious meals to participants. Kitchen volunteering is a great fit for volunteers who like working in a team while also interacting with DWC participants. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Want to Cook for Others? Provide Lunch to Residents with the Guest Chef Program at Ascencia
The Guest Chef Program is an incredible way for you to help their efforts, and is a tremendous savings to their operations on a day-to-day basis! Every day at Ascencia's shelter, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for unhoused families and adults in their Emergency Housing program. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, their "Guest Chefs" give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate. Their Guest Chef Teams will plan the menu, purchase, and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to their shelter residents. Volunteers in their Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 40 shelter residents on a daily basis. Their Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food. You can help by bringing disposable plates, cups, napkins, forks, spoons, and knives. Don't have time to cook and prepare the meal? Many of their Guest Chefs pick up food from local restaurants! For lunch, volunteers can prepare a hot meal or provide Brown Bag Lunches. Brown Bag Lunches must include a sandwich (with at least 10 vegetarian options), fruit, a snack, and a water bottle. The serving time for lunch is 11:00 am, with on-site cooking teams typically arriving around 10:00 am.
Prep Meals with Hollywood Food Coalition
The Community Dinner serves unhoused and food insecure individuals in Hollywood. Hollywood Food Coalition use fresh and recycled food from all over LA to prepare a hot, delicious meal 7 days a week. Their Meal Prep shift utilizes volunteers to prepare for their dinner service. They serve anywhere from 150 to 350 meals a night. Their daily meal preparation is "creative cooking" -- you'll see what has been donated that day and from those ingredients create their meal -- no recipes included. Kitchen leads will be there to guide and support you throughout the shift.
Help Serve Meals All Week at the Community Dinner with Hollywood Food Coalition
Hollywood Food Coalition’s Community Dinner is their signature and longest-running program. They serve nightly to anyone in need of a hot, nutritious meal. Their consistency builds trust with their guests, which helps connect them with further services. The Meal Service Shift begins at 5:30 pm in the kitchen at their Community Dinner program. They pack and serve their to-go meals at the kitchen every Monday through Friday. Kitchen leads will be there to guide and support you throughout the shift.Consider helping out with their Community Dinners on Mondays through Friday! Kids 10+ are welcome with adult accompaniment.
Want to Cook for Others? Provide Breakfast to Residents with the Guest Chef Program at Ascencia
The Guest Chef Program is an incredible way for you to help their efforts, and is a tremendous savings to their operations on a day-to-day basis! Every day at Ascencia's shelter, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for unhoused families and adults in their Emergency Housing program. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, their "Guest Chefs" give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate. Their Guest Chef Teams will plan the menu, purchase, and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to their shelter residents. Volunteers in their Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 40 shelter residents on a daily basis. Their Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food. You can help by bringing disposable plates, cups, napkins, forks, spoons, and knives. Don't have time to cook and prepare the meal? Many of their Guest Chefs pick up food from local restaurants! For breakfast, Ascencia needs volunteers to prepare morning-friendly meals like eggs, pancakes, bacon, or quiches, along with beverages such as milk or juice. Guest Chefs should plan to arrive around 5:00 am to ensure the meal is ready for the 6:00 am serving time.
Welcome & Support Day Center Participants at Downtown Women’s Center
The Day Center is the point of entry for women and gender-diverse individuals coming through DWC’s doors: it provides access to three meals a day; clean bathrooms and showers, changes of clothes, an address for individuals to receive mail, case management; and medical services. Day Center volunteers support the Day Center team by welcoming participants; helping distribute donations, mail, toiletry items, and meals; participating in and/or leading enrichment activities; and helping create a safe, welcoming space for the individuals receiving services in their community. Must be 18 or older.
Prepare & Serve Delicious Meals at Downtown Women’s Center
DWC’s Kitchen served over 260,000 meals in 2020 alone: their incredible Kitchen team serves three nutritious meals seven days a week and offers an important space for women and gender-diverse individuals 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 delicious meals to participants. Kitchen volunteering is a great fit for volunteers who like working in a team while also interacting with DWC participants. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Want to Cook for Others? Provide Lunch to Residents with the Guest Chef Program at Ascencia
The Guest Chef Program is an incredible way for you to help their efforts, and is a tremendous savings to their operations on a day-to-day basis! Every day at Ascencia's shelter, volunteers prepare and serve hot meals for unhoused families and adults in their Emergency Housing program. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, their "Guest Chefs" give their time and energy, generously donating food and a great deal of compassion with each plate. Their Guest Chef Teams will plan the menu, purchase, and prepare the ingredients, then cook and serve the meal to their shelter residents. Volunteers in their Guest Chef Program commit to preparing meals for approximately 40 shelter residents on a daily basis. Their Guest Chefs maintain a sanitary kitchen environment, complying with health regulations in the handling of food, including washing of hands and wearing gloves before preparing and serving food. You can help by bringing disposable plates, cups, napkins, forks, spoons, and knives. Don't have time to cook and prepare the meal? Many of their Guest Chefs pick up food from local restaurants! For lunch, volunteers can prepare a hot meal or provide Brown Bag Lunches. Brown Bag Lunches must include a sandwich (with at least 10 vegetarian options), fruit, a snack, and a water bottle. The serving time for lunch is 11:00 am, with on-site cooking teams typically arriving around 10:00 am.
Featured Projects
Help Make Holiday Meal Baskets for the PATH Community
PATH (People Assisting the Homeless),
PATHvolunteers@epath.org,
(323) 644-2200
Help PATH meet their goal to assemble and distribute over 800 Holiday Meal Baskets to those in need. Help make sure that everyone in the community – housed and unhoused – can enjoy a special meal! By donating items to the food drive, you will help provide enough food to assemble “Holiday Meal Boxes” to help PATH teams enrich the holiday experience of members of the community. The relationships you help build with food donations can be vital in helping neighbors feel secure and supported. Email PATH at PATHVolunteers@epath.org to schedule a date/time to drop-off or shop the Amazon Link: https://a.co/hBgLUY7 and food will be delivered directly to PATH.
Give to the Crime Survivors Resource Center’s Thanksgiving Drive
Crime Survivors Resource Center,
info@crime survivors.org,
(844) 853-4673
Help make Thanksgiving Day a festive occation for families in need. Your donatoin will help Crime Survivors Resource Center purchase grocery store gift cards for all the fixins needed by families. There are many ways to help including sponsoring a family and hosting a corportate challange.
Host a Thanksgiving Food Drive For Families at Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services,
volunteer@unionstationhs.org,
(626) 240-0720
Make a difference this Thanksgiving and host a food drive in your community! Collect items like stuffing, mashed potatoes, Velveeta cheese, and more. USHS kindly request all items be dropped off one of the locations listed on their website no later than November 18th.
Help Host a Thanksgiving Celebration at PATH
PATH (People Assisting the Homeless),
PATHvolunteers@epath.org,
(323) 644-2200
Participate in an on-site volunteer activity to celebrate Thanksgiving with PATH residents. They are looking for individuals and/or groups who can donate some or all of the following items and help organize PATH Thanksgiving celebrations: Bring a Thanksgiving meal to serve to PATH residents ($1500-$3000), Bring Thanksgiving-inspired desserts (approx. $250-$275), Bring/play group games (Bingo, Uno, Trivia), Organize a raffle-prize giveaway. Date/Time: TBD based on site and group/individual availability. You can take a special role in making this Thanksgiving special for many members of the PATH Community. Please sign-up and reach out to learn more about this holiday opportunity! Email them at: PATHVolunteers@epath.org
Help Donate Turkeys For Families at Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services,
volunteer@unionstationhs.org,
(626) 240-0720
Help USHS collect 750 frozen turkeys for families in need this Thanksgiving! Drop off days will be Nov. 17th and 18th.
Take Photographs for A Place Called Home’s Thanksgiving Event
A Place Called Home,
volunteer@apch.org,
(323) 232-7653
Volunteer will serve as event photographer to capture photos in shot list provided by A Place Called Home. Volunteer will provide 6-8 edited select shots to APCH within 48 hours after the event, and will provide full take edited shots to APCH within 5 business days after the event. APCH will credit photography as desired in publications.
Help Setup, Facilitate and Breakdown A Place Called Homes Thanksgiving Distribution & Dinner Event
A Place Called Home,
volunteer@apch.org,
(323) 232-7653
Volunteers will support all aspects of event setup, facilitation and breakdown alongside the A Place Called Hometeam to help create a welcoming, festive environment as APCH welcomes hundreds of South Central families and neighbors to the APCH campus for their annual Thanksgiving event. In addition to celebrating community, this event provides hundreds of turkeys and grocery bags with all the Thanksgiving fixings for members of their South Central community. Please Note: Role may include moving, bending, walking, light-medium lifting and extended periods of standing. Please let the APCH team know if there is anything they can do to make this project more comfortable for you.
Join Us for Big Sunday’s Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event!
Big Sunday,
info@bigsunday.org,
3235499944
Each year we collect and pack big bags full of Thanksgiving dinner for thousands of people! We need folks to donate food, as well as pack everything up and distribute it. And yes, everyone is invited to join together for a community breakfast, too! A true festival of gratitude. We also need folks to lead food collections in their community!
Host a Winter Holiday Celebration at PATH
PATH (People Assisting the Homeless),
PATHvolunteers@epath.org,
(323) 644-2200
ueroHelp make the holiday season bright for PATH residents by hosting a Winter Holiday celebration at one of their sites! They are encouraging the community to get involved in celebrating this holiday season with those at PATH residences who may need an extra support and encouragement during this especially trying time. By hosting a holiday celebration, you have the opportunity to: Sponsor a meal/snack to provide for community celebration,Bring cookies and decorate them in holiday-inspired themes (approx. $250-$275), Bring Holiday decorations and decorate common room of PATH building, Host a holiday movie night and bring popcorn and treats for guests, Bring group games (Bingo, card games, trivia, etc.) to play with residents, Organize a raffle-prize giveaway. Date/Time: December 1st – December 12th – TBD based on site and group/individual availability. Please email them at PATHVolunteers@epath.org for available dates and locations if you are interested in bringing the holiday spirit to the community and ensuring that everyone – housed or unhoused – can enjoy a festive and cheerful holiday. Kids Welcome: Varys by site.