Where To Volunteer on Thanksgiving

As families come together at Thanksgiving to celebrate what they have and are thankful for, it’s an important time to turn our minds to those less fortunate in our community. Many people will hungry or homeless over the holiday, and Thanksgiving day itself is a great time to get out of the house for a bit and volunteer. Bring guests, bring the family, and give back—it’s a great reminder that we’re all in it together in the Borough of Kings.

Kings Theatre Community Luncheon
Where: Kings Theatre,1027 Flatbush Ave,
What: Partnering with the Flatbush Ave. and Church Ave. BIDs, culinary students from the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus, the 70th Precinct, and Stop & Shop in hosting a community luncheon in the Theatre’s renovated courtyard. Your help is needed to set up, serve (12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.), and clean up (2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.) on Thurs. Nov. 23. Contact KingsInfo@KingsTheatre.com to volunteer.

CAMBA
Where: 1720 Church Avenue, 2nd Floor; 2241 Church Avenue; 885 Flatbush Avenue, Room 202; 19 Winthrop Street; Park Slope Women’s Shelter, 1402 8th Avenue
What: CAMBA is a non-profit that is dedicated to feeding the hungry across Brooklyn. Thanksgiving often means more traffic than usual, so round up some canned goods and bring them to any of CAMBA’s donation points. Every bit helps!

Masbia
Where: East Flatbush and Borough Park
What: Masbia is a kosher soup kitchen that serves hot meals to anyone hungry or in need. Around Thanksgiving, the need is especially great, so take some time to schedule a shift and help out if you can! You can sign up to volunteer online.

North Brooklyn Angels
Where: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 155 Milton Street, Greenpoint
What: Help is needed as the community group serves a Thanksgiving meal, either by bringing a beverage or dessert, or especially by signing up to bus tables and wash dishes. The midday shift is still light on volunteers, so sign up here!

Grand Street Gives Back
Where: North Brooklyn
What: The Grand Street BID is collecting non-perishable, unexpired and undented food items at participating Grand Street Businesses from November 20-December 15. Drop off items at Kingdom Toys & Gifts, Laundry Taxi, Empire Locksmith, To the World Farm, The Sandwich Shop, Fillmore Real Estate, Hush Boutique, Stingray Divers, Masha and the Bear, and Wafa’s Foods. All collected items will be donated to the local food pantry at St. John the Evangelist Church (located on Maujer St).

In addition to seasonal donation opportunities, there are also some perennial donation options that might otherwise be overlooked for the holidays.

New York Blood Center
Where: 120 Lawrence Street, Downtown
What: The Blood Center is in constant need of new donors, from whole blood to platelets. Each donation can be a literally lifesaving gift to someone in need. Visit their website and find a time to donate today.

Of course, there’s plenty more food pantries across Brooklyn that could use some help. While not every one has an organized event, check out their websites or give them a call and see how you can help out this holiday. Here are a few to get started:

Neighbors Together Soup Kitchen
2094 Fulton Street, Bed-Stuy
718-498-7256

Park Slope Christian Help
200 4th Ave, Park Slope
718-237-2962

St. John’s Bread and Life’s Soup Kitchen
795 Lexington Avenue, Bed-Stuy
718-574-0058

Hopefully you can take some time this holiday season to give back—even if Thanksgiving gets too hectic, remember that there’s always opportunities to give back, especially as the weather grows cold. Happy Thanksgiving!