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Thanksgiving is when we typically reflect on what we are thankful for and how we can give back to others. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, this year it is more important than ever to help where you can. There are many ways you can dedicate both your time and money to individuals in need this holiday season, whether in-person, virtually, or by phone. We sought out 11 organizations that are making an impact in the New York area by providing nutritious meals, PPE kits, tutoring services, friendly phone calls, and other outreach and wellbeing services. Given the ongoing risk of Covid-19, the organizations have put protocols are in place to practice social distancing and ensure sanitation, and masks are required for in-person volunteers.
New York Cares offers 1,600 service opportunities per month, so there are countless ways to help those in need around Thanksgiving, from packing meals to preparing PPE kits for seniors. Their website offers a searchable tool so you can find opportunities based on your location, time availability, and issues that matter most to you year round, including virtual SAT tutoring and making phone calls to those who are homebound.
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City Harvest helps get food that would otherwise go to waste into the hands of food banks, soup kitchens, and distribution centers. The organization also sets up mobile markets in the five boroughs where people can pick up fresh produce. City Harvest is accepting volunteers, and you can look at their calendar of events to sign up.
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The Carter Burden Network, which runs a number of senior centers around the city, typically keeps their Roosevelt Island location open on Thanksgiving, where volunteers can assist with meal prep and serving. Although their centers are closed now, the network has still done a remarkable job at making sure seniors are staying active, well-fed, and socially engaged. Carter Burden has served over 1,390 unique seniors during the pandemic; distributed over 3,600 meals to over 600 seniors; offered weekly virtual art and fitness classes; and provided 750 seniors with phone-based consultation about benefits, elder abuse, and more. You can help them continue the work by donating to their Going Above Campaign, which has raised $290,000 so far in the pandemic.
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The holidays are an excellent time to lend your support to Citymeals on Wheels, since the season can be particularly difficult for many isolated older people. As of June, the organization had already delivered one million meals since the start of the pandemic, and in total, 6,000 volunteers have given nearly 25,000 hours of their time since the start of Covid-19. The organization is still seeking volunteers to help deliver meals. You can email sheila@citymeals.org to get involved, or click below to donate and learn more.
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The Coalition for the Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless operates the Grand Central Food Program, which is still operating seven days a week to provide food and emergency items to homeless New Yorkers. In an effort to maintain social distancing and prevent spread of the virus, they are not currently accepting new volunteers, but you can make a donation online.
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God's Love We Deliver provides nutritious meals and counseling to individuals suffering from serious illnesses, cancer, or HIV/AIDs. The organization delivers an incredible 1.9 million meals each year, and has continued to operate throughout the pandemic. To volunteer this Thanksgiving, you can register here on the organization's website. Volunteers are needed to help cook, package, and deliver meals.
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The Bowery Mission continues to offer breakfast and lunch, served outdoors and to-go, and in June, began offering showers and clothing on a limited basis for those in need. You can help by donating money and goods (a full list of accepted items is available here), and volunteering to package and distribute meals.
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Food Bank For New York City
Typically, the Food Bank For New York City hosts 800 volunteers each week to serve food and maintains a full volunteer calendar. Although the food bank is no longer accepting volunteer assistance, they are encouraging people to donate so they can continue to provide to-go meals and take-home pantry bags for those in need.
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Masbia, a network of three food pantries and soup kitchens, serves over two million meals a year to New Yorkers in need. With two locations in Brooklyn and one in Queens, there's a need for volunteers to lend a hand year round at Masbia, both in serving hot meals and managing the pantry. A great way to help year round is to make a recurring donation or purchase some items, like kitchen supplies. from their Amazon wishlist.
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New Alternatives offers a range of services to LGBTQ+ homeless youth in New York. Throughout the pandemic, they have offered packaged meals and have also had volunteers out on the streets handing out masks, water, snacks, COVID information, and condoms.You can donate money, hygiene supplies, clothing and more, but New Alternatives is not taking on new volunteers at this time.
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The greater New York devision of the Salvation Army is a major presence in the New York area year round. Like many food banks and similar organizations, The Salvation Army is considered an essential business and has continued offering food through grab-and-go meals and food pantries, as well as hygiene kits. All gifts of $1,000 or more to their Covid-19 fund will be matched up to $100,000.
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Liz CantrellAssistant to the Editor in ChiefLiz Cantrell is the assistant to the Editor in Chief of Town & Country, covering arts and culture, and has previously written for Esquire.
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