Give Young People A Happy Holiday by Shopping My Friend’s Place’s Wishlist
My Friend's Place annual Holiday 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. Their biggest need is donations of items on their Holiday Wishlist, linked below, as they 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 their website as well. Questions can be directed to clothingcloset@myfriendsplace.org
Help Create A Safe Haven for Youths by Volunteering with My Friend’s Place
Your time matters more than you know. Partner with staff at My Friend's Place to help young people access food, clothing, and other programming during a weekly shift Monday - Friday. A background check, training and a commitment of at least six months is required.
Help Provide A Meal For Young People with My Friend’s Place
Share the comfort of a nourishing meal with the young people at My Friend's Place. Whether you fund a breakfast or lunch or volunteer to serve it, your generosity offers nurturing warmth, care, and connection to young people.
Help Support Youth Event at My Friend’s Place
My Friend's Place has events throughout the year that provide young people with moments of joy and belonging. Volunteers are essential in bringing these experiences to life — by helping decorate, serve meals, and create a warm, festive atmosphere where every young person feels celebrated and cared for.
Offer A Workshop For Young People with My Friend’s Place
Through volunteering with My Friend's Place to offer a workshop, you can open new doors for young people experiencing homelessness. Workshops cover topics such as creative arts, employment readiness, wellness, and essential life skills. By teaching these skills, you help youth gain the tools, confidence, and perspective they need to thrive in work, life, and relationships.
Volunteer to Help Celebrate a Birthday with My Friend’s Place
Help create moments of joy and connection by volunteering at one of My Friend's Place's monthly birthday celebrations. Serving pizza and cake might seem small, but it creates powerful moments of belonging and reminds young people they matter. No training or background check are required.
Donate Essential Supplies to Unhoused Neighbors in Need with New Friends Homeless Center
By donating goods that are critically needed, New Friends Homeless Center can help more people. They ask that you please only donate items that are new and undamaged to ensure they can be used for greatest impact. Specifically they are looking for hygiene kits consisting of: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, hand sanitizer, lotion, razors for men and women, Q-tips, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. All items listed above are to be travel size and be able to fit in a one-gallon size zip-lock bag ready to hand out. They are also looking for sleeping bags, tents, blankets, pet food ,and pet supplies for cats and dogs. Visit their "Contact Us" page to see how you can get in touch.
Sponsor a Delicious 4-Course Meal For An Unhoused Neighbor with New Friends Homeless Center
By donating $375 to New Friends Homeless center, you can sponsor a 4-course sit-down delicious meal for the unhoused & those that are food insecure in honor of a family or friend’s birthday, your own birthday, or in memory of a loved one. To donate, please visit their donation page.
Donate to Support Project Ropa
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. The generous donations of individuals and organizations play a crucial role in sustaining Project Ropa’s street-side resiliency care services.
Donate Care Kits for PATH’s Homelessness Outreach Team
Help PATH build relationships with our neighbors experiencing homelessness! Care Kits include new travel sized hygiene items and non-perishable snacks for neighbors living on the streets. PATH street outreach teams distribute Care Kits to their neighbors experiencing homelessness and use them as an engagement tool to build relationships while connecting their unhoused neighbors to housing resources. For more information, please visit the link.
Donate to the Welcome Home Kits for Families Wishlist with PATH
Say “Welcome Home!” to newly housed individuals and families! This program empowers volunteers to collect new household items to benefit PATH clients, so that those moving off the streets and into permanent homes have all the basics they need. Many of the individuals PATH serves have limited income and often need help with basic necessities once they secure housing. Help give them a warm welcome into their new home with some basic household items to get them started. By putting together Welcome Home Kits that include much-needed household items, you are ensuring clients feel at home, and have all the tools to stay housed. This volunteer project is great for faith groups, companies, philanthropic committees, schools, families, and individuals who want to rally friends for a good cause!
Help Make Snack Bags for PATH’s Homelessness Outreach Team
Help PATH build relationships with 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. PATH street outreach teams distribute the Snack Bags to their neighbors experiencing homelessness. Please note: Drop offs must be scheduled in advance.
Help PATH and Become a Food Rescue Driver
Food rescue drivers help their 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 Recue Drivers commit to a regularly scheduled food rescue shift, where they are assigned a day and time to pick up food donations for drop-off at a local PATH site. Volunteer Drivers are expected to use their own vehicle, or a PATH van, to pick up food donated from local community partners. 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. If you are interested in volunteering in this position, please send inquiries to PATHVolunteers@epath.org
Donate to Help Unhoused Pets at Project Minnie
Through Project Minnie, which relies solely on charitable donations, your support can directly fund crucial care for homeless dogs and cats. Your gift helps them provide a range of essential services, including feeding a pet for a week, supplying safety gear like leashes, and keeping animals warm with a bed or sweater. Most importantly, your contributions pay for veterinary visits, medication, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services, preventing further overpopulation and ensuring these vulnerable pets get the medical attention they need.
Volunteer to Help Unhoused Pets at Project Minnie
PROJECT MINNIE is always in need of caring people who can pack food, make sandwiches, help distribute supplies and photograph the animals on the boardwalk. Thwy also need folks who will generously donate their time and expertise for specialized tasks including legal advice, grant writing, newsletter writing, graphic design and public relations. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please email amanda@projectminnie.org.
Assemble Hygiene Kits with Project Ropa
Project Ropa is a nonprofit organization that helps restore dignity, rekindle optimism and empower the lives of people experiencing homelessness by providing clean clothes, hygiene kits and drinking water in a safe, humane and dignified way. Help create hygiene kits for them to distribute to people in need in the Los Angeles area. This is a great activity for children to get involved with. This activity can be done remotely by putting together items in a bag (paper bag, tote bag or reusable grocery bag are preferred). Please note: Items for the hygiene kits will not be provided by Project Ropa. They recommend reaching out to your network of friends and family to source the items. All items can be travel-size or full-size. All kits can be mailed to Project Ropa at: Project Ropa, 2851 W 120th Street, Suite E #566, Hawthorne, CA 90250 or dropped off at their warehouse in Gardena, CA. Drop off hours at their warehouse are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am-3pm and on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 10am-1pm. They are closed on all bank holidays. Their warehouse address is: 13970 Van Ness Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249. If mailing please include a note with your full name and email address in the package. Please note: They are unable to provide verification of remote volunteer work for community service hours. They can only do so for in-person volunteering.
Build Laundry Kits with Project Ropa
Help create laundry kits for Project Ropa to directly distribute to those in need in the Los Angeles area. This is a great activity for children to get involved with. The majority of the people they serve can't afford to wash their clothing. Part of the barrier is the cost of laundry detergent. You can help by creating laundry kits. All kits can be mailed to them at: Project Ropa, 2851 W 120th Street, Suite E #566, Hawthorne, CA 90250 or dropped off at their warehouse in Gardena, CA. They accept donation drop offs at their warehouse on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-3pm and on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 10am-1pm. They are closed on all major holidays. Their warehouse address is: 13970 Van Ness Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249. If mailing please include a note with your full name and email address in the package. Please note: They are unable to provide verification of remote volunteer work for community service hours. They can only do so for in-person volunteer work.
Support Ascencia by Providing Administrative Support
Support Ascencia by providing administrative or organizational support. Work in their admin office to complete tasks such as data entry, filing, writing thank you cards, organizing the donation closet and food pantry, and more.
Donate Hygiene Kits from Alpha Project San Diego’s Wish List
Alpha Project San Diegot is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) human services organization that serves over 4,000 men, women, and children each day. Services offered include affordable housing, residential substance abuse treatment, supportive housing for people with special needs, basic and emergency services for the homeless, transportation assistance, mental health counseling, employment training, preparation and placement, emergency shelter, HIV/AIDS, education, outreach and prevention, and community services. Alpha Project has several housing programs (Rapid Rehousing, Tenant Peer Support Services, and Housing Navigation and Case Management) that work with clients to secure and sustain housing. Their goal is to set people up for success in maintaining housing. Often, they find that when they move individuals and families into housing for the first time, they move in with little to nothing. Essential home goods make the transition so helpful to the clients they serve. Please select items from the wishlist in the link.
Donate Move-In Kits from Alpha Project San Diego’s Wish List
Alpha Project San Diegot is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) human services organization that serves over 4,000 men, women, and children each day. Services offered include affordable housing, residential substance abuse treatment, supportive housing for people with special needs, basic and emergency services for the homeless, transportation assistance, mental health counseling, employment training, preparation and placement, emergency shelter, HIV/AIDS, education, outreach and prevention, and community services. Alpha Project has several housing programs (Rapid Rehousing, Tenant Peer Support Services, and Housing Navigation and Case Management) that work with clients to secure and sustain housing. Their goal is to set people up for success in maintaining housing. Often, they find that when they move individuals and families into housing for the first time, they move in with little to nothing. Essential home goods make the transition so helpful to the clients they serve. Please select items from the wishlist in the link.
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.