2024 Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunities in Westchester
There are many families who are experiencing food scarcity and insecurity in Westchester. As we are getting close to Thanksgiving, many local organizations are seeking volunteers to help distribute and prepare Thanksgiving dinners. Additionally, families of teens can participate together in working with non-profits and local organizations in collecting food, hosting food drives, and/or providing a monetary donation. Read on to check out a list of some of the current and on-going opportunities right in our backyard.
Psst…check out these 14 Westchester Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
Feeding Westchester (Elmsford)
Feeding Westchester is always in need of donations and volunteers all-year long. This includes options to host a fundraiser, provide funds, or donate food. Additionally, check out the website to learn more how to sign up. 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523
Family Services of Westchester (Purchase)
Thanksgiving is a time of joy and gratitude for many, but for those facing economic hardship, it often brings concern about affording a traditional meal. Join the Family Services of Westchester as they give back to families in Westchester with their “Thanksgiving in a Box” for families in need. Thanksgiving in a Box includes all the necessary ingredients for a holiday feast. Donations can be made easily through Family Services of Westchester by heading to fsw.org. Give back to families in our community this Thanksgiving. Family Services of Westchester, 2975 Westchester Avenue, Suite 401, Purchase, NY 10577.
Holiday Food Drive (Katonah)
Every year the Community Center of Northern Westchester collects food and monetary donations as a part of their annual Holiday Food Drive. They are currently collecting frozen turkeys, frozen roaster chickens, sugar, vegetable or olive oil, coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, turkey breasts, and more. Bring your items to the center, or you can provide a monetary donation. CCNW, 84 Bedford Road, Katonah, NY 10536, 914-232-6572.
HOPE Community Services (New Rochelle)
For Thanksgiving, HOPE Community Services is collecting food for their upcoming Thanksgiving Day(10/30-11/19) and Kosher Thanksgiving Day (10/28-11/15) drives. This includes turkeys, kosher turkeys, or kosher chickens, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn bread mix, canned goods, and more. Collections are accepted every Monday-Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm. Additionally, they are also accepting volunteers to help out with community dinners as well as in their food pantry. Note: volunteers must be 12 years old and up. Sign up online for various opportunities at hopecommunityservices.org/volunteer. 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle, NY.
Deliver and Distribute Meals to Hospitalized Children (Valhalla)
Give back and donate your time to The Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley. Incredibly, they provide a temporary home-away-from-home for families with critically ill or traumatically injured children. Volunteers are needed to distribute meals to families of hospitalized children. Additionally, volunteers should be 16 years of age or older and give back with two three-hour shifts per month. Reach out to Ashlyn Hay at Ahay@rmhghv.org for more information about volunteering.
Food Donation on November 16th & 17th, November 23rd & 24th
People To People (Nanuet)
People to People, Rockland County’s largest hunger relief non profit organization. People to People is asking that families consider adding some things to their cart when out shopping for their own Thanksgiving feast. Some things they’re hoping to give out this year include frozen turkeys, fresh or instant potatoes, sweet potatoes or yams (either fresh or canned), stuffing, canned corn, and canned string beans. Other great donations are gravy, cranberry sauce, pie crust, and pie filling. They are also accepting monetary donations. To learn more head to peopletopeopleinc.org. People to People, 121 West Nyack Road, Nanuet NY 10954.
Thursday, November 16th from 4:00pm-6:30pm
2024 Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution (Port Chester)
On November 21st from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, the Carver Center will host their annual Thanksgiving Distribution event. The event will bring those in need some delicious options to choose from like turkey, chicken, trimmings, and more. Registration is required for this event, and individuals are encouraged to complete their registration during Market Days, held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Carver Center, 400 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573
Sunday, November 18th from 11:00am-1:00pm
4th Annual Turkey Give (Port Chester)
Participate in the 3rd Annual Turkey Give organized by The Giver’s Hand. The goal is to provide free turkeys to the community. Additionally, they want to provide everyday essentials to families. This includes socks, lotion, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, etc. Finally, participate by donating here, or in person. Port Chester Village Hall Parking lot, 222 Grace Church Street, Port Chester NY 10573.
Sunday, November 24th
2024 Thanksgiving Package Delivery and Friendly Chat For Seniors (White Plains)
Give back and support DOROT’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery service. They provide companionship to older adults and volunteers via conversation. Through the program, volunteers are assigned older adult. They will then deliver a Thanksgiving meal on November 24th and follow-up with a visit or phone call. All volunteers must be over 18. Volunteer slots all full? Check out the various volunteer opportunities available to Westchester residents year-round. Head to www.dorotusa.org for more information. DOROT Westchester, 925 Westchester Avenue, Suite 200, White Plains, NY.
Interfaith Food Pantry (Mount Kisco)
Parents and kids can give back and donate to aid the Interfaith Food Pantry. They are always looking for people to help collect food, assist guests with choosing food, shelving, packing lunches, and more. Families can also sponsor a food drive. During the holidays, 2 lb. bag of white rice, canned and dried beans, canned corn, canned pineapple, canned tuna, and salmon, hot and cold cereal, low-sodium soups, pasta and pasta sauce, instant coffee (preferably Nescafe).
Families and friends, can also consider contributing to an online food collection by ordering items from the Pantry’s Special Amazon Wish List Page. Additionally, families can organize a drive in their school or neighborhood. For additional information on any of these activities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at: volunteer@mountkiscofoodpantry.org United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco, 300 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, 914-610-5187.