7 Opportunities to Volunteer & Give Back This Thanksgiving in NYC

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, we're starting to reflect on all that we're thankful for, but instead of just listing your good fortunes and saying "Thanks," show your appreciation in a more meaningful way this year by volunteering. Thousands of New Yorkers will be spending this Thanksgiving with much less than you and I, so take the opportunity to put on a hair net, pick up a serving spoon, and give back. From dishing up dinner at local churches to delivering meals to homes, there are dozens of ways to volunteer this Thanksgiving in New York City -- here are 7 opportunities that still need assistance.

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Yorkville Common Pantry

The Yorkville Common Pantry has been helping hungry New Yorkers for more than three decades. This Thanksgiving, a health, home-cooked meal will be served Wednesday, November 23 from 3:30 to 6:30pm. On an average weekday, the pantry, which pays special attention to nutrition and strives to make meals as health as possible, serves dinner to around 350 people, so help is needed to serve food and hand out groceries from the pantry. The Pantry also needs extra help during its weekday meals before Thanksgiving. 8 East 109th St., between Fifth and Madison Avenues (212-410-2264)

God’s Love We Deliver

If you have a car, or the ability to rent one for a few hours, sign up to help God’s Love We Deliver to transport baskets of food to people’s homes. Drivers are needed to deliver specially-decorated gift baskets, plus the regular three course meal, to more than 1,500 homebound New Yorkers. All you need is a car and knowledge of the New York City streets (or Google maps). You can register here.

City Harvest

Like most city charity’s, City Harvest sees a tremendous amount of interest in volunteering on Thanksgiving, so almost all of the positions needed at their soup kitchens and dinner services are filled. But City Harvest’s greatest need for Thanksgiving, and throughout the whole holiday season, is non-perishable food items. Help out by donating a box of canned goods at one of the many participating locations: any FDNY or NYPD station, any New York City Modell’s Sporting Goods store or MCU branch locations, or the Daily News building lobby at 4 New York Plaza. Find a list of the most needed items here. City Harvest also lists numerous other ways to help.