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.
Prepare and Serve Lunch Meals with Union Rescue Mission
Help prepare and serve lunch at Union Rescue Missions kitchen! At this time they are serving their guests indoors and their unsheltered guests are receiving grab and go meals. They cannot do it - without YOU! The age requirement to volunteer in the kitchen is 14 years old. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have an adult chaperone with them at all times. The adult chaperone also must register.
Prepare and Serve Lunch Meals with Union Rescue Mission at Angeles House
Help prepare and serve lunch at Union Rescue Missions Angeles House (South LA)! Angeles House is their new campus that opened in April 2022. Angeles House is the home of about 86 families in South Los Angeles. Help them prepare and serve breakfast meals, to those that are sheltered within their facility. You must be at least 14 years to volunteer in the kitchen. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have an adult chaperone present. The chaperone also must be registered.
Prepare and Serve Lunch Meals with Union Rescue Mission and Hope Gardens Family Center
Help prepare and serve lunch meals to those at the Hope Gardens Family Center in Sylmar. Hope Gardens Family Center provides 3 hot meals per day to all guests. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and set-up for each meal, serve, as well as assist in the clean-up process. Meal serve volunteers are required to be at least 14 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to have an adult chaperon present. The chaperone also must be registered.
Pitch In To Sort Through Donations at Union Rescue Missions Distribution Center
As a volunteer at the Union Rescue Mission, you will provide crucial support by helping to sort donations at their distribution center. This work is essential for ensuring that donated items can be organized and provided to those in need. Interested individuals are directed to sign up at the provided link.
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.
Serve as a Positive Role-Model for At-Risk Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach
Serve as a positive role-model for at-risk youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach. Time commitment is one hour per week at a Club site for 13 weeks. Club hours are generally 2:00 – 6:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Some Saturday opportunities are available.
Help Tutor Youth in Risk of Failing A Grade at Boys & the Girls Club of Long Beach
Youth benefit from having one-on-one attention from a caring, trained adult in a variety of academic subjects. Those at risk of failing a grade are offered intensive tutoring services Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach. Length of time commitment varies but is needed during the hours of 3:00 – 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Share a Hobby or Skill with the Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach
Do you have a hobby or skill you would like to share with an enthusiastic group of youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach? Interest classes are offered Monday – Thursday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
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.
Practice Urban Gardening with Growing Hope Gardens Every Tuesday
Join neighbors and fellow volunteers to help maintain and grow the community garden at Growing Hope Garden! Tasks may include planting, weeding, watering, composting, and more. No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm, comfortable clothes, and a reusable water bottle. How to Join: Just show up or contact info@growinghopegardens.org for more info.
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.
Serve as a Positive Role-Model for At-Risk Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach
Serve as a positive role-model for at-risk youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach. Time commitment is one hour per week at a Club site for 13 weeks. Club hours are generally 2:00 – 6:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Some Saturday opportunities are available.
Help Tutor Youth in Risk of Failing A Grade at Boys & the Girls Club of Long Beach
Youth benefit from having one-on-one attention from a caring, trained adult in a variety of academic subjects. Those at risk of failing a grade are offered intensive tutoring services Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach. Length of time commitment varies but is needed during the hours of 3:00 – 6:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Share a Hobby or Skill with the Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach
Do you have a hobby or skill you would like to share with an enthusiastic group of youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach? Interest classes are offered Monday – Thursday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.
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.
Get your Hands Dirty, Break a Sweat and Deepen your Relationship with Growing Food on Wednesday Mornings with Community Services Unlimited
Get your hands dirty, break a sweat and deepen your relationship with growing foor with Community Services Unlimited. Bring a hat, a bottle of water and a friend! Volunteers are required to RSVP with the date/time you wish to come to volunteer@csuinc.org. To ensure safety and wellness of their staff and volunteers, volunteers must wear a mask at all times on the farm. Please note that weather and events at the EXPO Center can lead to volunteer days being cancelled. Please RSVP to be informed of any schedule changes.
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.