Volunteer opportunities near me: Give back this holiday in NYC

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by Documented, an independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City. The original article by Denia Pérez can be accessed here.

The holiday season can be a time of giving, not just of material gifts, but also of time and service. Spending time in community can be another way to connect with your loved ones and the city. Whether it’s delivering food to families in need or wrapping gifts to donate, there are many ways to get involved and give back.

This guide will highlight some upcoming service projects and provide you with information about where to find future volunteer opportunities. 

Holiday volunteer opportunities in NYC

Gift Distribution at Salvation Army

• Saturday, December 20 from 12 to 5 p.m.
• Salvation Army – East Harlem Community Center (175 East 125th Street, Manhattan)
• Help wrap gifts and distribute festive drinks and snacks to families in need. Bilingual volunteers needed. Must be at least 18 to help. Sign up here. 

Support Soccer for Differently Abled People

• Saturday, December 20 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
• Queens – address provided upon registration
• Help New Yorkers from ages 5 to 21 practice soccer drills. Must fill out this waiver to volunteer and this registration form. Organized by KEEN New York.

Pack and Distribute Meals with PATHHSEO @ Caldwell Temple

• Saturday, December 20 & 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Caldwell Temple A.M.E. Zion Church (1288 Rev James A Polite Ave., Bronx) 
• Prepare and bag meals that you will then distribute to families. You will be on your feet and then outside for most of this shift. Sign up to volunteer here. 

Prepare Bagged Breakfasts at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

• Sunday, December 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan)
• Assist the chef with meal prep, make sandwiches, pack meals and help clean the kitchen. You will need to be on your feet the whole shift. Sign up to volunteer here.

Hand Out Bagged Groceries with Project Hospitality

• Tuesday, December 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Project Hospitality (100 Park Avenue, Staten Island)
• Prepare and distribute bagged groceries to community members. Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds. Sign up to volunteer here. 

Distribute Food Bags with Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation

• Tuesday, December 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Northeast Brooklyn Housing (132 Ralph Ave # 1, Brooklyn)
• Distribute packed food to the community. Must be able to lift 20 to 30 pounds. Sign up to volunteer here.

How to find volunteering opportunities in NYC 

If you have been wanting to volunteer but won’t be able to attend any of the events listed and are not currently plugged into any mutual aid or volunteer networks, newyorkcares.org is a great place to start your search. You can filter by borough, date, and even category.

The Salvation Army also provides potential volunteers with information and different opportunities to give back. Many churches, temples, and mosques also provide their congregations with opportunities to give back, so if you are a member of a faith-based organization, ask your faith leader for more information.

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