Halloween is behind us, which means that Thanksgiving is becoming the holiday we’re now looking forward to the most. This festive season is a time of the year when people are more generous and willing to reflect on the things they’re grateful for before devouring a delicious, massive turkey. Since actions speak louder than words, during this holiday time many of us start wondering where to volunteer for Thanksgiving to give thanks by giving back.

Table of contents

Why is Thanksgiving volunteering a good idea?

Thanksgiving volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community and support those in need. There are many different ways to help during the holiday season, so there’s sure to be something that fits your interests and schedule. Moreover, being a volunteer is a great way to connect with other like-minded people in your community.

Where to volunteer on Thanksgiving?

There are many different Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities available, depending on where you live. Some popular options include volunteering at a soup kitchen, helping to decorate a community space, or collecting donations for a local food bank.

thanksgiving volunteer

So, where to volunteer on Thanksgiving?

  • help at a local soup kitchen – it’s a great way to support homeless and food insecure people in your area. Check out the directory of soup kitchens and contact the local facility to see if they accept in-kind donations. They’ll surely reach out to you when short-staffed.
  • decorate a community space – this is an easy and enjoyable opportunity for people who want to get creative and add some holiday cheer to the lives of others. Contact your local community or recreation center to see if they need help for Thanksgiving.
  • collect donations for a local food bank – want to become a Thanksgiving volunteer at Feeding America? It’s a great way to help people in need during the holiday season and provide various groups like seniors, families and schools with hot meals and food they can’t afford for numerous reasons.
  • clean up a public space – if you’re looking for an opportunity to help the environment and make your community look nicer, this is the perfect option for you. Contact your local government or park officials to see if they need help with Thanksgiving cleanup.
  • walk dogs from a local shelter – are you an animal lover who would like to help out pets in need and get some exercise at the same time? If so, visit a local animal shelter to see what kind of support they require. Such institutions usually offer a wide range of Thanksgiving volunteering opportunities. Apart from walking the dogs, you can collect food, toys and money for animal rescues in your area.
  • take part in charity events – many organizations host special Thanksgiving events to raise awareness and funds for their cause. You can volunteer to help with the planning and execution or simply participate in such events to popularize them.
  • run in turkey trots – these are popular foot races of various distances, held on Thanksgiving morning or around the holiday to raise money for different charities. It’s a chance to volunteer in a great atmosphere and help with the organization. If you’re a sportsperson, you can simply take part in the event to burn extra calories and get in some movement for a good cause.
  • create maps of facilities in need of more volunteers – mapping facilities in need of help can be an excellent way to share opportunities with those looking to volunteer and assist communities. You can easily create and share embeddable maps like these through social mapping apps like YouMap.

The takeaway

These are only a few examples of where to volunteer for Thanksgiving. Are you looking for more opportunities tailored to your location, interests, and skills? Check out the YouMap social mapping app and find facilities in your area that need help.

Whatever you decide to do, remember that your time and effort will make a difference in someone’s life!