Thanksgiving is not just about pumpkin pie and stuffing (although they are delicious foods worthy of a holiday). The true point of the day is to express gratitude for our abundance of blessings. Many of us consider or plan on giving back around Thanksgiving, but don't know where to begin or how to volunteer. We've made it a bit easier to follow through on your altruistic intentions with these ideas for volunteering this week.
Glide Memorial Church
Glide's legendary free meals program is always looking for volunteers to help prepare, serve and clean up during four volunteer shifts a day, 364 days of the year. The entire week leading up to Thanksgiving is a popular time to volunteer to serve food to the city's homeless, so sign-up early (and often—they need help all year long!).
Little Brothers: Friends of the Elderly
Many older folks have few family or friends left and no one to spend the holidays with. Brighten someone's Thanksgiving by visiting with a homebound senior through San Francisco's Little Brothers program. Visits last only one to two hours, making this a worthy stop on your way to a Thanksgiving dinner of your own.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels needs your help (and your wheels) to deliver 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners to homebound seniors. Volunteer shifts last two to three hours and begin every 15 minutes from 8am-2pm on Thanksgiving. Kids are welcome to participate in your delivery route, and are probably welcome visitors to many of the meal recipients.
Volunteer Center of Sonoma County
Our neighbors to the north are still in need of assistance after October's devastating wild fires. Sign up to be an emergency volunteer at the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County and give back to the region that has given us so much over the years.
A Home Away From Home
A Home Away From Home serves Thanksgiving meals to homeless kids and their families across San Francisco. Sign up for either the breakfast or dinner shift (or both) this Thanksgiving to help out a family in need.
The SFSPCA
The SFSPCA is always looking for dedicated long-term and short term helpers, especially around the holiday season when shelters are often overflowing with animals in need of a home. While some training is required, it will be worth it once you get to start cuddling the animals.
San Francisco Turkey Trot
The very popular San Francisco Turkey Trot still needs volunteers for their annual Thanksgiving 5K. Elite runners, families and little kids will race around Golden Gate Park on Thanksgiving. Get some fresh air and exercise before stuffing yourself with stuffing by lending a hand at this adorable tradition. (Many Bay Area communities offer a turkey trot, so those of you heading across the Bay for your turkey dinner can probably find a trot in your town.)