'Tis the season for giving. If you're looking for a way to give back to the D.C.-area community, whether through time or turkeys, here are some ideas.
WASHINGTON 鈥� ‘Tis the season for giving. If you’re looking for a way to give back to the D.C.-area community, whether through time or turkeys, here are some ideas.
feeds the homeless in Northern Virginia and D.C. every Thanksgiving. Founder Jay Herriott says they are looking for food donations such as turkey, ham, stuffing, cookies and water.
They also need folks to drive volunteers to and from Burke Community church, which is where donated food will be plated into meals and loaded into vehicles for delivery.
Food will be delivered to shelters in Northern Virginia as well as the District, “but we’ll also meet them in the streets by their tent, or where they’re staying,” Herriott tells WTOP. Their goal is to make and distribute 600 meals this Thanksgiving, and even more on Christmas.
To donate food or volunteer time on Thanksgiving,
On Nov. 25, The 25th Project will gather empty propane tanks from their homeless friends, refill and redistribute them. They’re looking for donations for that project as well.
The 25th Project does something special for the homeless at least once a month on the 25th, sometimes more than that. Photo from a breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.
(Courtesy Jay Herriott/The 25th Project)
Courtesy Jay Herriott/The 25th Project
Food & Friends听
Need a pie for your own Thanksgiving dinner? Consider purchasing one from , an organization that makes and delivers meals to people facing life-threatening illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. Each pie purchased through the sale helps Food & Friends provide a full day of meals to roughly 3,000 clients each year.听听.
Check to see the leading up to Thanksgiving and on Thanksgiving Day, and learn more about .
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
SOME
There are plenty of holiday giving opportunities at (So Others Might Eat). Each year, the community-based organization serves more than 400,000 meals to hungry men, women and children, so food donations are always welcome. (SOME has a list of needed pantry items , along with drop-off locations and times.)
SOME is also collecting 鈥� filled with items such as stuffing, gravy and sweet potatoes 鈥斕齠or families in need on Nov. 19, and it’s hosting a through Dec. 7.
(Courtesy SOME)
Courtesy SOME
Central Union Mission听
Help help the homeless this season.
The organization is in need of frozen or fresh, uncooked turkeys 鈥� it’s about 550 turkeys short this year. Drop off your . There’s also a , and suggested items include stuffing, 5 to 10 pounds of potatoes or sweet potatoes, and canned or fresh vegetables, among other food items.
include “,” a clothing drive (seasonal attire is appreciated, especially as the weather gets colder), a winter coat drive, a linen and towel drive,听and the that collects shoe boxes filled with personal care supplies.
Food and clothing items can be. in Northwest D.C. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. any day of the week.
(Getty Images)
Getty Images
Miriam’s Kitchen
At , the goal is to end chronic homelessness 鈥斕齛nd it all starts with a meal.
If you’re looking to volunteer, you’re asked to commit to one shift per month on an ongoing basis, and you have to attend an orientation before you start helping out.听Sign-up information is available .
And, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, Miriam’s Kitchen is collecting frozen turkeys.
(WTOP/Kathy Stewart)
WTOP/Kathy Stewart
Shepherd’s Table听
Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, aims to tackle hunger and homelessness in Montgomery County. Meals are , and other services provided include an and .
For those who are looking to give their time, they can volunteer to help in meal service, food pickup. And, if you’re , you can certainly give money or such as personal care products, silverware and even stamps. Check out the for more ideas.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/kuarmungadd)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/kuarmungadd
Martha’s Table听
provides food, clothing, child care and other supportive programs to families throughout D.C. This holiday season, the听organization is in need of food donations that are not holiday specific, since the food is distributed throughout the year. Canned vegetables, soup, beans and fruit are all needed, as are dry beans, brown rice, whole grain elbow macaroni and cereal.
Martha’s Table at 2114 14th St. NW, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clothing, baby items and technology items can also be donated, but first, check out for those items.
(AP Photo)
AP Photo
Bread for the City听
serves low-income D.C. residents by providing a number of services, including medical care and food programs. The annual “holiday helpings” campaign has a goal this year of giving a “” to 9,000 D.C. families. To do that, Bread for the City is asking for 听as low as $32 to give a holiday meal to a family of four.
If you’re looking to make a food donation of your own, check out the . And, if you’re looking to donate your time, there are a number of that go beyond food service.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/Erin Donalson)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/Erin Donalson
Capital Area Food Bank听
collects food items around the holidays that last many months into the new year. This year, you can help by dropping off donations ( include peanut butter, low-sodium canned vegetables, canned or dried beans, hot and cold cereal, and grains) or by . The Capital Area Food Bank also has the option to host a for the holidays.
(Getty Images)
Getty Images
Arlington Food Assistance Center听
The Arlington Food Assistance Center is looking for drivers who can volunteer to pickup food and people who can help the center weekday mornings or early afternoons. Check out the.
The center is also running a “” campaign with the goal of raising $25,000 until Dec. 31. According to the center’s website, “A donation of just $25 will sponsor one family with a dinner centered by a turkey for Thanksgiving or a roaster chicken for the December holidays.” Just over $6,900 has been raised as of Nov. 14.
If you’re thinking about making food donations, .
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/MachineHeadz)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/MachineHeadz
N Street Village听
provides services for homeless women in the D.C. area. This holiday season, you can show your support for the organization by donating items that are currently on the 听on Amazon, such as towels, underwear, sweatpants, socks, personal care items and more.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Thrive DC听
This time of year, is in need of coats, hats, scarves, blankets and gloves to give to homeless clients that visit the organization every day.
Thrive will on Friday, Dec. 7; Friday, Jan. 11; and Friday, Feb. 8 鈥� donations are needed the Monday before each event. There’s also an 听for needed items.
New socks, thermals and underwear are also needed, and items can be dropped off at the nonprofit’s Columbia Heights location at 1525 Newton St. NW from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. But, at 202-503-1533 so they know you’re coming.
(WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
NOVA Relief Center听
An annual effort since 2013 to provide warmth to Syrian refugees through donations of coats and blankets is already underway in Northern Virginia. , an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of refugees, organizes the drive.
The drive runs from now until Dec. 8. The donations will be sent to three refugee camps in Jordan. There are drop-off locations in, 听and听 counties, and . Find more information on.
Read more: “Northern Va. coat, blanket drive aims to provide warmth to Syrian refugees” 太子探花’s Dick Uliano听
(Courtesy NOVA Relief Center)
Courtesy NOVA Relief Center
DC Central Kitchen听
There are several ways you听can help fight hunger through the holidays. The organization suggests hosting a food drive , including pasta, items for baking and large containers of vegetable oil. And, if you want to host a turkey drive, with DC Central Kitchen first.
Drop-off hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends at 425 2nd St. NW.
Trying to volunteer your time? Take a look at what’s available 听And, if you want to help beyond the holidays, DC Central Kitchen also .
(Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Holiday Project
听gets volunteers together to visit people in nursing homes, hospitals and other long-term care facilities in outings across the country through the holiday season. On its website, the project in 1972 on Christmas Day to patients at a San Francisco hospital.
To get involved, check out the visits they have 鈥� which, in these groupings, includes Delaware and West Virginia 鈥� and find out how to start volunteering .
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/KatarzynaBialasiewicz)
