Bowery Mission
227 Bowery, nr. Rivington; 212-674-3456
Consider yourself a regular Martha Stewart? Want to help the Bowery Mission prepare and serve 8,000 meals this Thanksgiving season? Register here to prep, cook, or serve. If it fills up (and slots usually go fast), you can also donate foodstuffs (like turkey, ham, stuffing, or potatoes) or personal-size hygiene items.
Race to Deliver
Meet at the Bethesda Fountain, Central Park West and 72nd St.; to contact Race to Deliver, 212-294-8119; to contact New York Road Runners, 212-860-4455; [email protected]
They’re touting it as “Not Just Another Walk in the Park,” but if you feel like walking for a cause, who’s gonna stop you? On Sunday, November 24, God’s Love We Deliver hosts the Race to Deliver, with a four-mile run/walk (see!) in Central Park. As always, there’s a kids’ run, so everyone can get involved.
New York Cares Coat Drive
Various Locations
As another potentially brutal winter approaches, New York Cares is running its annual coat drive, collecting and delivering warm outerwear to those in need. From November 12 through February, volunteers can host a collection or help sort. If you’re short on time, donations are always accepted. More information here.
Boxes of Love
Here’s Life NYC; 9-11 44th Dr., at Vernon Blvd., Long Island City; 718-391-4500
Are you really organized? Boxes of Love is need of volunteers on November 22 and 23 to assemble 4,000 Thanksgiving meals to be delivered to families in need. Groups and children are welcome and several shifts are available; sign up here.
City Meals on Wheels
Various Locations
If you’ve got a car, put it to use delivering meals. No vehicle? No problem. They also need folks to prepare and serve throughout the week of Thanksgiving. Apply on their website or contact volunteer coordinator Sheila Clay at [email protected] for one of the many, many opportunities available.
God’s Love We Deliver
166 Sixth Ave., at Spring St., 212-294-8100
The organization is looking for folks to drop off nutritious meals and hand-decorated baskets to more than 2,000 homebound New Yorkers on Thanksgiving Day. You’ll need a vehicle, a partner, and map skills. (But really, let’s be honest, a GPS.) Register here.
The Church of the Heavenly Rest
2 East 90th St., at Fifth Avenue; 212-289-3400
Baker bees are needed beginning at 10 a.m. on November 27 at the Church of Heavenly Rest for preparation of 600 corn muffins and 75 pumpkin pies (feel free to donate if you’ve got a spare pie or two at home). On Thanksgiving Day, volunteers are needed to clean up after meal service, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Dewitt Nursing Home
211 East 79th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-879-1600
Put those pipes to good use at the special November 24 Thanksgiving Worship Service. No fear: If you’re better playing an instrument, constructing crafts, or just lending an ear while visiting residents after the service, all are needed. RSVP here.
No time to donate? Here are some places accepting money or foodstuffs:
• New York City Rescue Mission
• Food Bank NYC
• Feeding NYC
• New York City Coalition Against Hunger
• City Harvest
• Yorkville Common Pantry
• Homeless Alliance of New York
• Coalition for the Homeless
•El Museo del Barrio
• Robin Hood
No time to donate? Here are some places accepting money or foodstuffs:
• New York City Rescue Mission
• Food Bank NYC
• Feeding NYC
• New York City Coalition Against Hunger
• City Harvest
• Yorkville Common Pantry
• Homeless Alliance of New York
• Coalition for the Homeless
•El Museo del Barrio
• Robin Hood