Looking to volunteer for Thanksgiving? Here are local organizations seeking help.
Thanksgiving — and the season of giving — is upon us.
Lots of local organizations providing hot meals, holiday entertainment and other types of aid have already filled their volunteer slots weeks ahead of Thanksgiving, but a number of groups are still seeking help.
For those interested in giving back this Thanksgiving season, we’ve compiled a list of places accepting volunteers in and around the Triangle.
And while Thanksgiving Day is a popular time to volunteer, remember that the impact that volunteering outside of large holidays can be huge for those in need. Organizations like Activate Good and The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center — as well as many of the organizations listed below — have year-round opportunities listed on their site.
Raleigh
▪ Raleigh Rescue Mission: 919-828-9014. Raleigh Rescue Mission will be giving out meals to those in need in the Raleigh community. Volunteers are needed to pack and distribute meals. More: raleighrescue.org/ways-to-give.
▪ Inter-faith Food Shuttle: 919-390-1968. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is seeking volunteers to pack and deliver for their Grocery Bags for Seniors program and drivers for the BackPack Buddy program. The group has remote volunteer opportunities for those wishing to remain at home. More: foodshuttle.galaxydigital.com.
▪ Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: 919-875-0707. The Food Bank has numerous volunteer opportunities throughout November. There are branches in Raleigh and Durham, as well as few other locations. More: foodbankcenc.org/get-involved/volunteer.
▪ A Place At The Table: 919-307-8914. This pay-what-you-can cafe is seeking volunteers the week of Thanksgiving. You must be at least 15 years old to volunteer. More: tableraleigh.org/volunteer.
▪ Oak City Cares: 984-344-9599. Oak City Cares is serving two “Day After Thanksgiving” meals in Raleigh. General volunteers must be at least 18 years old. More: oakcitycares.galaxydigital.com/need.
▪ Meals on Wheels Wake County: 919-833-1749. Meals on Wheels Wake County partners with several community organizations to deliver Thanksgiving meals. Volunteers are needed the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. More: wakemow.org/volunteer.
▪ The Women’s Center: 919-829-3711. Volunteers are needed to host breakfasts, sort donations and assist with weekend meals to help women experiencing homelessness in our community. More: wcwc.org/getinvolved.
Durham
▪ The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center: 919-321-6926. The Thanksgiving Dinner Program is done in partnership with the Durham Department of Social Services to provide over 2,700 Thanksgiving meals to Durham families. You can sponsor a family, make a monetary donation or volunteer to deliver meals on Nov. 20 and 23. More: thevolunteercenter.org/thanksgivingdinner.
▪ Durham Rescue Mission: 919-688-9641 ext 5025. Durham Rescue Mission is seeking volunteers on Thanksgiving Day. More: durhamrescuemission.org/thanksgiving-2.
▪ Antioch Builds Community: 919-688-8893. Antioch Builds Community, Yates Food Pantry and Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will distribute Fresh Thanksgiving Food Boxes to needy families in the community on Nov. 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. They welcome volunteers to help with sorting, packing and distributing boxes. More: antiochbuildscommunity.org.
▪ Salvation Army: 919-688-7306. The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to hand out food to community members on Nov. 18. More: salvationarmycarolinas.org/durham.
▪ Boys & Girls Club: 919-687-4517. The Boys & Girls Club of Durham & Orange Counties is seeking volunteers to create Thanksgiving craft kits for students to take home and Thanksgiving meal bags for families. You can also donate turkeys to be given to families. More: bgcdoc.org.
Chapel Hill
▪ Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture: 919-968-2828. Arts & Culture is seeking volunteers for its Thanks + Giving food truck event on Nov. 21. Volunteers are needed 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in two-hour timeslots. More: chapelhillarts.org.
Cary
▪ St. Michael’s Church: 919-468-6100. The annual Thanksgiving Basket Project will be taking place the weekend of Nov. 20 and 21. You are invited to stop by the Parish Center and see what is needed over the course of the weekend. More: stmichaelcary.org/tbasket.
Carrboro
▪ TABLE: 919-636-4860. TABLE is seeking volunteers to assist with the Gallop & Gorge 8k on Thanksgiving morning. The shift begins at 7 a.m. More: tablenc.org.
Wake Forest
▪ Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry: 919-556-7144. This all-volunteer organization is always seeking volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for the groceries food pantry. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. More: triareaministry.com/volunteer.
Graham
▪ SAFE Food Pantry: 336-525-2120. SAFE seeks volunteers on Tuesdays and Saturdays. (More: safealamance.org)
Are there other Triangle-area volunteer opportunities around Thanksgiving that should be included on this list? Please email kcataudella@newsobserver.com, or check out our resources to ask questions and submit anonymous tips at newsobserver.com/news/local/article254283853.html.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 2:49 PM.
