November Holiday Service Opportunities 2023

1. Big Sunday’s Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event, Los Angeles (11/22) – At Big Sunday, they operate under the belief that “everyone has some way that they can help somebody else.” Each year they collect and pack big bags full of Thanksgiving dinner for thousands of people, including vets, homeless families, women in domestic violence shelters, group homes, low-income families with autistic children, food pantries, schools and more. They need people to donate food, as well as to pack everything up.Big Sunday’s Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event is happening this year on Wednesday, November 22 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. All volunteers 12 years old and over.

2. Gobble Gobble Give, Downtown LA, Crenshaw District LA, Echo Park, Hollywood & Santa Monica (11/23) –Gobble Gobble Give delivers food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless in eighteen cities across the country on Thanksgiving morning. We’ve been doing it for 25 years, feeding more people in more cities every year. On November 23, help deliver over 30,000 meals to residents in need and across the country beginning at 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.

3. Los Angeles Mission, Los Angeles (11/23) –
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Los Angeles Mission. Sign up to volunteer and serve Thanksgiving meals to those who would otherwise go without. An orientation is required to volunteer for any opportunity at the Los Angeles Mission, including their street events. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. If you are not able to attend in person, donations may be made online.

4. Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive, La Canada Flintridge (11/23) –The Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk has been a local tradition and a community favorite with families, athletes, and community supporters of all types for two decades. The race is professionally timed and normally meets at Memorial Park in La Cañada. The Kids’ Mile Run is a family fun event geared for children 12 and under. Parents are encouraged to run alongside registered children at no additional cost. Kids will receive a t-shirt before the race and an award as they cross the finish line. The Community Centers Thanksgiving Day Food Drive is the largest Food Drive in the Foothill communities. Canned and non-perishable food is collected during the month of November at locations in La Cañada, La Crescenta and Montrose. Non-perishable donations are distributed by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station to local families in need.

5. The Midnight Mission Turkey Trot, Los Angeles (11/23)Sign up to donate to give Thanksgiving meals to those who will come by for a Thanksgiving meal at The Midnight Mission. The Midnight Mission offers a path to self-sufficiency to men, women and children who have lost everything. Their emergency services, 12-step philosophy, job training, education and work programs offer a compassionate bridge to productive lives. They help remove obstacles to self-sufficiency and provide the accountability and structure that people who are experiencing homelessness need to rejoin their communities.

6. Union Station Homeless Services Thanksgiving Dinner in the Park
Union Station Homeless Services is celebrating its Dinner in the Park in multiple ways and there are a lot of ways to volunteer.

7. Westside Thanksgiving Community Dinner & Celebration, West Los Angeles
This non-profit organization has over three decades of tradition serving the community a wonderful free sit-down Thanksgiving dinner. During the celebration, they also provide free haircuts, blankets, clothing, hygiene kits, medical, optical, and dental services, vaccination, a resource fair, and a children’s carnival. The Celebration relies entirely on donations from the local community. Families can get involved by volunteering, donating food and/or clothing or making a financial donation. All children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

8. 43rd Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run, Torrance (11/23) –The City of Torrance Community Services Department invites the entire family to participate in our Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run. This three-mile fun run will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. After the fun run, there will be a spectacular post run opportunity drawing for mountain bikes, dinner vouchers, gym memberships and many other outstanding prizes. All registered participants will receive a commemorative Turkey Trot shirt. Please note, the Turkey Trot will take place rain or shine.

9. 9th Annual Palisades Funding Turkey Trot, Pacific Palisades, (11/23) –Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission serves the largest Thanksgiving dinner in the Valley. In addition to serving meals, there is a street fair where guests can receive sleeping bags, fresh fruit and vegetables, hair cuts, and much more. Check their website for volunteer opportunities.