While the holiday season is a time for giving thanks, it can also be a time to give back to your community. Here are four metro Atlanta organizations to volunteer with to ensure that as many Atlanta residents as possible won’t go hungry on Thanksgiving.
Atlanta Community Food Bank
The nonprofit organization relies on over 30,000 volunteers annually to provide meals for those suffering from food insecurity in the metro Atlanta area, and the holidays are one of its busiest periods. While the food bank will not be open on Thanksgiving Day, several volunteer spaces are open on Wednesday morning to help sort and pack recently donated food items.
Volunteers must be able to stand for extended periods, and some individuals may be asked to lift boxes up to 40 pounds. Close-toed shoes are required, and long pants and sweatshirts are recommended.
Those who are interested in assisting can apply here.
Atlanta Mission
The Atlanta Mission will hold a Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday at My Sister’s House, an overnight shelter in Northwest Atlanta created by the mission for women and children experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers’ responsibilities include assisting kitchen staff with necessary meal preparation and/or meal service setup, cleaning and sanitizing dishes, and setting up cookware, utensils and food preparation workstations.
Volunteers must be 16 or older and are asked to wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and sleeved shirts. Those interested can apply to the mission’s website here.
Hosea Helps
Founded by the late civil rights leader Hosea Williams in 1971, Hosea Helps has grown into one of the longest-running nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving metro Atlanta residents living in poverty.
The foundation, which provides housing, career and food resources year-round for those in need, is searching for additional volunteers on Thanksgiving Day to help drive and deliver boxes to families and to help prepare dinner that will be held at the facility’s headquarters.
Volunteers interested in assisting with deliveries must have their own vehicle and a valid driver’s license. They should expect a 30-45-minute wait to receive their delivery assignment and meals.
Those interested in assisting can sign up here.
Open Hand Atlanta
According to its website, Open Hand is one of the largest community-based providers of home-delivered meals and nutrition services in the United States.
The organization is searching for delivery drivers who can assist on the morning and afternoon of Thanksgiving Day.
Potential volunteers must be 21 or older and able to travel in their own vehicles. Vehicles must have room to hold roughly 6-12 large cardboard boxes of food items.
Those who are interested can apply here.
