10 Ways You Can Serve After Thanksgiving

Every year around November, we see a spike in volunteerism at Hope for New York, as do most non-profits! And we are so grateful for the volunteers who generously give of their time and show up Thanksgiving week to serve the poor and marginalized in our city. 

However, there are many needs—and opportunities to serve—throughout the year. If you missed opportunities to serve during Thanksgiving or just want the opportunity to volunteer again, here are 10 places you can serve AFTER Thanksgiving! 

1. All Angels serves the holistic needs of homeless men and women on the Upper West Side. Serve at their annual Christmas party on Tuesday, December 20 by helping set up, wait, and/or clean up after the party! Sign up here. 

2. Citymeals-on-Wheels provides nutritious food and company to the homebound elderly in New York City. Help deliver meals to men and women on the Upper East Side the weekend after Thanksgiving. Sign up here. 

3. St. Paul's House serves hungry New Yorkers by providing meals, groceries, and community in Midtown West. Every Monday evening, volunteers fill bags of food to be distributed to the homeless and marginalized in the neighborhood. Sign up here. 

4. New York City Relief is a mobile outreach to the poor and homeless throughout New York City. On Thursday nights, volunteers participate in Mini Don't Walk By, building relationships and distributing much needed items to homeless men and women in Midtown. Sign up here. 

5. The Father's Heart provides services to low-income and immigrant communities in the East Village. On Tuesday nights, volunteers serve at KidZone, an after-school program for children and teens which also functions as a soup kitchen for the whole family! Sign up for more information here.

6. Graffiti has been serving Alphabet City since 1970, providing meals, clothing, tutoring, and more to the low-income community there. Every Wednesday night, volunteers serve a meal to families in the neighborhood. Sign up here. 

7. Salvation Army provides various services to the poor throughout our city. On Mondays and Wednesday in Union Square, volunteers serve lunch to the homeless and marginally homed in the area. Sign up here. 

8. Do For One helps form life-changing relationships between volunteers and men and women with disabilities through partnerships with churches and the local community. You can join Do for One for a Christmas party on Friday, December 9 on Roosevelt Island! Sign up here. 

9. Cru Inner City partners with local churches in low-income neighborhoods to provide resources such as food and clothing, job readiness training, and youth programs. On Saturdays in Long Island City, volunteers sort and pack boxes with non-perishable food items to be distributed to communities in need. Sign up here.

10. Brooklyn Teen Challenge is a residential, faith-based recovery program for men and women struggling with various addictions. On Saturday mornings, volunteers work alongside residents in Clinton Hill to set up tables and supplies and pack bags with groceries to be distributed to low-income families in the neighborhood. Sign up here. 

Discover additional ways you can serve at HFNY's affiliates throughout the year here!