Ways to Give Back This Thanksgiving: 36 Places LA Families Can Volunteer, Donate and Feed Neighbors in Need
The best ways to give back this Thanksgiving in Los Angeles are serving a holiday meal at a Skid Row mission or a community dinner, packing Thanksgiving boxes at a food bank, donating turkeys and meal bags, and running a charity turkey trot on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Plenty of these spots welcome kids, so we noted the age rules for every one.
Here's the catch most families learn the hard way: Thanksgiving Day volunteer shifts are the most requested of the year, and many fill up weeks ahead. The good news is that giving back doesn't have to happen on Thursday. Food banks need extra hands all month, turkey and meal-bag drives wrap up the week before, and some of the sweetest projects happen right at your kitchen table.
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Below you'll find 36 ways to help, grouped by how your family wants to give: serving a meal, sorting food, donating, running for a cause, or pitching in from home. Each listing includes the address, dates we know so far, minimum ages, and a parent tip to make the day go smoothly.
Key Takeaways
When: Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and many missions also serve big holiday meals the day before.
Sign Up Early: Most meal services and food banks require online registration, and walk-ins are rarely accepted.
Best for Little Kids: Food on Foot (ages 6+), Food Forward backyard harvests (ages 5+), Westside Food Bank (all ages with a parent) and Pasadena Humane's kid roles (ages 6+ with a parent).
Best for Teens: Union Rescue Mission (14+), the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (14+), Project Angel Food's kitchen (14+) and the Los Angeles Mission (16+ with an adult).
Donate Instead: Union Station's Turkey Drive runs November 16 and 17, and LA Family Housing's Thanksgiving Meal Bag Drive runs through November 21.
Run for a Cause: Turkey Trot LA, Drumstick Dash LA and Turkey Trot OC all raise money for local missions on Thanksgiving morning.
Cost: Volunteering is free at most places on our list; Food on Foot asks for a suggested $25 donation per volunteer.
Where to Serve a Thanksgiving Meal in Los Angeles
Serving a hot meal is the classic way to give back on Thanksgiving, and LA's missions and community dinners feed thousands of neighbors that week. Nearly all of them require advance registration and set a minimum age, so check the rules below before you promise the kids a spot on the serving line.
601 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
When: Thanksgiving Day; 2026 time to be announced (last year's festival ran 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
Ages: Not listed online; call (213) 624-9258
How to Help: Volunteer, donate or sponsor the celebration
Every Thanksgiving, The Midnight Mission turns 6th Street on Skid Row into a Thanksgiving Street Festival with a hot holiday meal, live music and hundreds of volunteers serving neighbors experiencing homelessness. Last year's celebration fed nearly 2,000 guests.
To volunteer, create an account on the Mission's online volunteer portal and pick an open slot from its calendar. Families, school groups and teams can register together. If shifts are full, a one-time donation goes a long way, and Turkey Trot LA on Thanksgiving morning also raises money for the Mission.
Parent Tip: Thanksgiving Day slots here are among the most requested in the city. Sign up as soon as they appear, and keep a backup plan (like a food bank shift the weekend before) in your pocket.
303 E. 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
When: Annual Thanksgiving celebration on Skid Row; 2026 date and time to be announced
Ages: 16 and older, with an adult
How to Help: Volunteer at street events, donate or bring a group
The Los Angeles Mission has been feeding its Skid Row neighbors at Thanksgiving for decades, with thousands of pounds of turkey, hundreds of pies, and warm blankets and tarps handed out alongside the meal.
New volunteers create a VolunteerHub account and attend an orientation before working a street event. Groups of 10 or more coordinate directly with the Mission's volunteer office, so plan ahead if you're bringing a scout troop or youth group.
Parent Tip: Because teens must be at least 16, this is a meaningful first big volunteer day for high schoolers serving side by side with a parent.
545 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
When: Meal service shifts year-round; 2026 Thanksgiving details to be announced
Ages: 14 and older to serve meals; under 18 must come with a parent
How to Help: Serve a meal, host a donation drive or give online
Union Rescue Mission serves meals every day to men, women and children experiencing homelessness on Skid Row, and the holidays are one of its busiest seasons.
Individuals sign up on the Mission's volunteer portal. Groups of three or more must register in advance by email, no one can be added on the day of, and downtown groups max out at 30 people.
Parent Tip: Kids under 14 can't volunteer on-site, but the Mission suggests a lovely alternative: let your child run a donation drive at school or in the neighborhood, then bring the whole family along to drop it off.
445 Towne Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
When: Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 26; time to be announced
Ages: Volunteer details to be posted; check the website
How to Help: Volunteer or donate
Fred Jordan Missions has hosted a giant Thanksgiving feast in downtown LA for generations, with volunteers serving thousands of plates and bagging groceries for families who need a little extra help.
Volunteer information for the 2026 feast hasn't been posted yet, so bookmark the event page and check back over the next couple of weeks.
Parent Tip: Set a phone reminder to check the event page every few days. When sign-ups go live, the best shifts go quickly.
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Where: Echo Park, Santa Monica and Downtown LA (RSVP details on the website)
When: Thanksgiving morning; volunteers arrive at 10 a.m.
What to Bring: A preheated, ready-to-serve dish, five small toiletry kits, and gently used clothing or blankets
This grassroots Thanksgiving tradition gathers volunteers in neighborhoods around LA to share meals, clothing and toiletries with people living on the street. You don't need to pick a role ahead of time; just show up with your contributions and head out with a group.
Because it's so informal, it's a great fit for families who want a hands-on Thanksgiving morning without a weeks-long sign-up process. Check the website for each location's RSVP link before you go.
Parent Tip: Making the five toiletry kits is a perfect job for kids the night before. Let them pick the socks and snacks and pack each bag themselves.
West LA Civic Center, 1645 Corinth Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
When: Thanksgiving Day; 2026 time and location to be confirmed on the website
How to Help: Volunteer, donate food or donate funds
Since 1982, this volunteer-powered celebration has welcomed anyone who walks in to a free, sit-down Thanksgiving dinner, along with groceries, clothing and hygiene items. It has traditionally been held at the West LA Civic Center.
Volunteers help set up the day before and serve, host and clean up on Thanksgiving Day. Check the website for 2026 shifts, age rules and the donation wish list.
Parent Tip: Boxed, canned and dried foods are always welcome. Have the kids help shop for a bag of pantry staples to drop off.
1625 Schrader Blvd. (back parking lot of the Los Angeles LGBT Center)
Hollywood, CA 90028
When: Sundays, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ages: 6 and older, with a registered adult
Cost: Suggested $25 donation per volunteer
Food on Foot is one of the few places in LA where elementary-age kids can help serve hot meals. Every Sunday, volunteers hand out food to neighbors in Hollywood, which makes Sunday, November 22 or November 29 a meaningful way to bookend your Thanksgiving week.
Everyone registers online in advance, and every child under 18 needs a supervising adult who also registers.
Parent Tip: Cancellations must be made in writing by the Wednesday before your Sunday, so confirm your family's plans before you book.
Where: Hollywood (dinner location listed on the website)
Ages: 15 and older on their own; younger kids with an adult, and kids as young as 10 may help with supervision
How to Help: Cook, serve and clean up at the community dinner
Hollywood Food Coalition serves community dinners to neighbors in need, and volunteers help cook, plate and serve. Shifts are booked through the calendar on its volunteer page.
Younger helpers are welcome with a parent, as long as they feel comfortable working around vulnerable adults.
Parent Tip: Talk with younger kids beforehand about what they might see and how to greet guests with a warm smile. That conversation makes a big difference in how they experience the evening.
922 Vine St.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Ages: Kitchen volunteers 14 and older (ages 14 to 15 with a parent at all times; ages 16 to 17 need a signed parent waiver)
How to Help: Kitchen shifts, meal delivery drivers or donations
Project Angel Food cooks and delivers medically tailored meals to people living with serious illness, and its holiday deliveries bring a Thanksgiving dinner right to clients' doors.
Kitchen and delivery shifts are booked online through the volunteer page, and groups of up to 15 can arrange a team shift.
Parent Tip: Teens chasing service hours love the kitchen shifts. Book early in November, because holiday weeks fill up first.
7843 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91605
Meal Bag Sorting: Saturday, November 14, North Hollywood
Meal Service: Thursday, November 19, Sylmar, and Tuesday, November 24, Canoga Park
Thanksgiving Lunch: Thursday, November 26, North Hollywood
Meal Bag Drive: Through November 21
LA Family Housing helps people move out of homelessness across the San Fernando Valley, and its 2026 holiday schedule is packed with ways to help. Volunteers can sort meal bags, serve at Thanksgiving meals or join the Thanksgiving lunch in North Hollywood.
Its Thanksgiving Meal Bag Drive aims to collect 1,500 bags, and you can shop from its Amazon wishlist or follow its checklist. Sign up for shifts on the volunteer site, and schedule drop-offs in advance.
Parent Tip: Turn the meal bag into a family shopping trip. Give each child the checklist and let them find every item in the store.
Adult Center, 412 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Dinner in the Park: Wednesday, November 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Turkey Drive: November 16 and 17, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ages: 13 and older in the kitchen with a chaperone; 16 and older without one
Pasadena's beloved Dinner in the Park serves a Thanksgiving meal the day before the holiday, with to-go meals starting at 10 a.m. and dining starting at 11 a.m. Volunteer registration opened November 2, so don't wait.
Union Station's Turkey Drive collects turkeys, cornbread and canned green beans, and donations can be dropped off at its Admin Building at 825 E. Orange Grove Blvd. or the Adult Center.
Parent Tip: If your kids are too young to serve, carrying a turkey to the drop-off desk is a proud little moment. Check the wish list for the most needed items.
1335 Pacific Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813
When: Thanksgiving dinner; 2026 date and time to be announced
Ages: 10 and older; under 18 with a parent or responsible adult
Orientation: Second Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. (November 14 is the last one before Thanksgiving)
Long Beach Rescue Mission hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for its neighbors and welcomes volunteers as young as 10, one of the lowest minimum ages among LA-area missions.
Every volunteer, including holiday-only helpers, must attend an orientation first. Group leaders can attend on behalf of their group.
Parent Tip: Mark Saturday, November 14 on your calendar now. Missing that orientation means missing Thanksgiving shifts.
One Hope Drive
Tustin, CA 92782
When: Thursday, November 26; Thanksgiving dinner served at noon
Volunteer Shifts: Evening leftovers dinner (setup, kitchen and cleanup)
How to Help: Volunteer or sponsor a meal
Orange County Rescue Mission serves a Thanksgiving dinner at noon on the holiday, and volunteers are needed for the evening leftovers dinner, helping with setup, kitchen work and cleanup.
The Mission says just $2.21 provides a Thanksgiving dinner for one person, so even a small donation feeds someone.
Parent Tip: Let kids count out their own coins to sponsor a few meals. Seeing exactly what their money buys makes giving feel real.
Pack Thanksgiving Boxes and Sort Food at a Food Bank
Food banks are the engine behind most Thanksgiving tables in need, and they're busiest in November. These shifts usually happen in bright warehouses or at outdoor tables, and many are great for school-age kids.
1734 E. 41st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Ages: 14 and older
Sign-Up: Online registration required; no walk-ins; closed-toe shoes
Other Locations: City of Industry and Long Beach
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank sorts and packs food for families, seniors and children across LA County. Volunteers help assemble food packages and produce bags, and groups of five or more can book together.
Families with younger kids can still help through #WeFeedLA, the Food Bank's virtual food drive and fundraiser. The Food Bank says $25 provides the equivalent of up to 100 meals.
Parent Tip: Start a #WeFeedLA virtual drive and let your kids set the goal and share it with grandparents. It's surprisingly motivating to watch the meal count climb.
16221 Mulholland Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Volunteer Registration: Open now on the church website
How to Help: Pack boxes or give toward the 2026 goal
Bel Air Church is packing complete Thanksgiving boxes for families across Los Angeles, each with a turkey and several sides. Volunteers pack and prepare the boxes on November 21, and the church has set a $166,500 fundraising goal to make it possible.
Shift times and age rules aren't posted, so contact the church before signing up little ones. The listed address is the church; confirm the packing location when you register.
Parent Tip: Box-packing days are high energy and very hands-on, which is exactly what restless kids need the weekend before Thanksgiving.
1741 N. Cherokee Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Ages: Many events welcome all ages
When: 2026 Holiday List is live; Thanksgiving Stuffing event date to be announced
Big Sunday's 2026 Holiday List gathers dozens of ways to help around LA this season, from kit-packing to fruit harvests, and many are flagged as kid-friendly.
Its annual Thanksgiving Stuffing event, where volunteers fill bags with holiday food, was held the day before Thanksgiving last year. Check the website for the 2026 date and sign-up.
Parent Tip: Browse the Holiday List together and let each child pick one project. Kids give more enthusiastically when they get to choose.
Where: Backyard harvests around Southern California (location listed on each event)
Ages: 5 and older for backyard harvests, unless an event says otherwise; under 16 with a parent for the full event
Sign-Up: Advance online registration; each volunteer needs a release form
Food Forward rescues fresh fruit from backyard trees and gives it to people facing hunger, and its backyard harvests are one of the best volunteer options for young children. Kids climb, pick and fill boxes with citrus while learning how much good food would otherwise go to waste.
Every person, kids included, needs their own email address to register (a parent's address with a plus sign added works). Harvests fill up quickly, so check the calendar often.
Parent Tip: Pack gloves, hats and water, and wear closed-toe shoes. Fruit picking turns into a workout fast.
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1710 22nd St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ages: Families welcome; volunteers under 11 must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult
Sign-Up: Book a slot in advance; groups larger than five email the volunteer team
Westside Food Bank supplies food pantries and meal programs across the Westside, and it welcomes families and school groups to help sort and pack donations.
Drop-ins aren't guaranteed a spot, so reserve your shift online, and remember closed-toe shoes for everyone.
Parent Tip: This is one of the friendliest food bank options for younger kids. Book a weekday shift during Thanksgiving break, when many schools are already out.
10641 N. San Fernando Rd.
Pacoima, CA 91331
Ages: Ages 15 to 17 with a volunteering adult; children under 14 can't volunteer
When: Holiday food box distribution each fall; 2026 dates to be announced
MEND, a longtime poverty-relief nonprofit in the northeast San Fernando Valley, hands out thousands of holiday food boxes each fall and hosts a holiday meal for unhoused clients.
Volunteer openings for the holiday events are posted on its website, and short-term volunteers and groups don't need to attend an orientation.
Parent Tip: If you have a 14-year-old, call MEND before signing up, since its posted rules don't spell out what applies at exactly 14.
10539 Humbolt St.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Thanksgiving Sort & Pack: Listed for Saturday, November 21 at 9 a.m. at McBride High School in Long Beach; confirm on the website
Ages: Not stated; family-friendly roles available
Food Finders rescues surplus food and delivers it to pantries and shelters across Long Beach and beyond. Its Thanksgiving Sort & Pack is a great one-morning project for the whole family.
Its Food Rescue Heroes program, which picks up donated food and drops it at local agencies, is a flexible option that works well for families.
Parent Tip: Ask about Food Rescue Heroes. It's a short drive-and-drop that kids can join right from the back seat.
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
Ages: 7 to 13 with a chaperone at its farms; 13 to 15 with a chaperone at the farms or distribution center; 16 to 17 without a chaperone
Chaperones: 21 or older, present for the entire event
Second Harvest fights hunger across Orange County, and kids as young as 7 can volunteer at its farms with an adult.
Minors submit a youth request form and bring a printed waiver. Families who prefer to give from home can join Second Harvest's 2026 Holiday Virtual Food Drive.
Parent Tip: The farm shifts are the sweet spot for elementary-age kids, who get to be outside and see exactly where fresh produce comes from.
Donate Food, Meals and Holiday Essentials
Not every family can make a volunteer shift work during a busy holiday week, and that's okay. These organizations turn donated food, supplies and meals into real help for LA neighbors.
Where: Los Angeles
How to Help: Cook a meal, bake treats or run a wish list drive
Families staying at Ronald McDonald House while their children receive medical care often spend the holidays away from home. Through its Meals of Love program, groups prepare a meal or bake treats for the families staying at the House.
Other options include wish list and toy drives, care kits and pop-tab collections. Age rules aren't posted, so email the volunteer team with your group's details.
Parent Tip: Baking a batch of pumpkin muffins with your kids for families at the House is a sweet way to bring Thanksgiving warmth to people far from home.
442 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Ages: 18 and older on-site; kids can make kits at home
Drop-Offs: By appointment, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon
Downtown Women's Center supports women experiencing homelessness in LA, and its most needed items include new underwear, bras, leggings, seasonal clothing, sleeping bags and toiletries.
Volunteers under 18 can't work on-site, but kids are welcome to assemble snack packs, toiletry kits and clean home kits off-site or run a donation drive.
Parent Tip: Grocery and pharmacy gift cards are always helpful, and they're easy for kids to tuck into a handmade card.
204 Hampton Dr.
Venice, CA 90291
Ages: 12 and older through the student volunteer track; adults 18 and older year-round
When: Share the Season holiday program; 2026 details to be announced
St. Joseph Center in Venice helps Westside families and individuals with food, housing and other support. Its Share the Season program provides Thanksgiving meals and holiday gift cards to families in need.
Check the website for 2026 Share the Season details, or email the volunteer team about seasonal openings.
Parent Tip: Ask about sponsoring a family's Thanksgiving meal together. Kids love knowing a real family will sit down to dinner because of them.
1851 Tyburn St.
Glendale, CA 91204
Ages: Youth ages 14 to 18 with a signed minor release form
Donations: In-kind drop-offs by appointment
Ascencia helps people experiencing homelessness in Glendale and nearby communities. Families can sign up for its Guest Chef program to prepare a meal, shop its Amazon wishlist or schedule an in-kind donation.
Email the donations team before dropping anything off so your items match current needs.
Parent Tip: Guest Chef is a wonderful family cooking project. Let the kids pick the dessert.
444 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Food Donations: Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages: Kids and teens welcome to volunteer with their parents when openings are available
Friends In Deed runs a busy food pantry in Pasadena. Its most needed items include canned tuna or chicken, hearty soups, chili, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, cereal, rice, diapers and toiletries.
It has also partnered with the Pasadena Jaycees on a Thanksgiving drive called Operation Gobbler, so check the website for 2026 details.
Parent Tip: Print the most-needed list and let the kids cross off items as they shop. It keeps the donation useful and the kids engaged.
Run (or Waddle) for a Cause on Thanksgiving Morning
A charity turkey trot is a fun way to burn off a little energy before the big meal, and every registration supports local neighbors in need. Costumes are encouraged, and kids' races make it easy for the littlest gobblers to join in.
Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Races: 5K, 10K, a 1-mile dog jog and a kids' race
Benefits: The Midnight Mission
Thousands of runners and walkers in turkey hats and pie costumes loop through downtown LA past Grand Park, Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad, all to raise money for The Midnight Mission.
Start times, prices and packet pickup details are posted on the race website, so check there before you register.
Parent Tip: Downtown streets close for the race, so take Metro to Civic Center/Grand Park Station and skip the parking hunt.
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NoHo Arts District
North Hollywood, CA 91601
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Races: 10K, 5K, a 1K Lil Gobbler Kids Run and a virtual option
Benefits: Hope the Mission
Now in its 11th year, Drumstick Dash LA raises money for Hope the Mission, which runs shelters for people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County. The 1K Lil Gobbler Kids Run is just right for little legs.
Hope the Mission also invites families to sponsor a Thanksgiving meal through its Hopesgiving campaign, so check its website for 2026 details.
Parent Tip: Can't make it to NoHo? The virtual race lets your family run anywhere and still support the cause.
Where: Tustin
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Benefits: Orange County Rescue Mission
The 13th annual Turkey Trot OC raises money for Orange County Rescue Mission, which serves Thanksgiving dinner at noon the same day.
Fees and kids' options are posted on the race website.
Parent Tip: Run in the morning, then sign up for the Mission's evening leftovers dinner shift for a full day of giving.
Easy Ways Kids Can Give Back From Home
Some of the most meaningful Thanksgiving giving happens at the kitchen table. These projects work for toddlers through teens and fit around holiday travel, cooking and naps.
Ages: All ages
Time Needed: One to two weeks
Ask neighbors, classmates or your sports team to drop off canned goods, then deliver everything together to a mission or food pantry. Union Rescue Mission specifically suggests donation drives as a way for kids too young to volunteer on-site to help.
Call ahead to ask what's most needed. Canned protein, peanut butter and hearty soups are almost always on the list.
Parent Tip: Decorate a collection box together and set a goal number of cans. Kids love tracking progress on a chart taped to the fridge.
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Ages: 3 and up with help
What to Include: Socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, granola bars, water and a handwritten note
Care kits, sometimes called blessing bags, are zip-top bags filled with everyday essentials. Keep a few in the car to hand out, add them to your Gobble Gobble Give contribution, or donate them to an organization like Downtown Women's Center.
Let little ones decorate a card for each bag. A kind note is often the part people remember most.
Parent Tip: Set up an assembly line at the kitchen table, with each child in charge of one item. It turns into a fun, fast family project.
361 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Ages: 6 and older for kid roles at Pasadena Humane, with a parent who also volunteers
Orientation: Virtual sessions on Tuesday, November 10 and Friday, December 4
Animal lovers can give back too. Pasadena Humane offers kid-friendly roles like Shelter Greeter and Boredom Busters, where kids help keep dogs happy, plus at-home service projects.
If your child is under 18 and loves animals, Best Friends Animal Society Los Angeles also offers at-home DIY projects like dog treats and cat toys.
Parent Tip: Make a batch of no-bake dog treats on Thanksgiving weekend and drop them off with a wish list donation.
Ages: Older kids and teens who knit or crochet
Program: Handmade With Love Holiday Challenge
Operation Gratitude's Handmade With Love Holiday Challenge collects handmade hats and scarves for deployed service members. Its Chatsworth site no longer takes in-kind drop-offs, so follow the instructions on its website to participate.
This is a lovely project for a grandparent and grandchild to work on together over the long weekend.
Parent Tip: Start with a simple hat pattern. A beginner can finish one over Thanksgiving break.
Ages: All ages
How: Find a coat drive near you by ZIP code, or host your own
Nights get chilly in Southern California this time of year. One Warm Coat's online map shows coat drives near your ZIP code, and families can also register to host a drive at school or work.
Coats should be clean and wearable, so go through closets together and check pockets and zippers.
Parent Tip: Have each child choose one coat they've outgrown and one they've barely worn. Giving away something they love is a powerful lesson.
Ages: All ages
Time Needed: About 30 minutes
Gratitude is giving, too. Have kids write thank-you notes to firefighters, mail carriers, sanitation workers, teachers or nurses, and deliver them during Thanksgiving week.
Our free Thanksgiving printables include gratitude pages kids can color and share.
Parent Tip: Bake cookies to go with the notes for your local fire station. Call ahead to find a good time to stop by.
When: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
GivingTuesday falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and many local nonprofits match donations or run special campaigns that day.
Sit down as a family, choose one cause together, and let the kids contribute a little from their own savings.
Parent Tip: Give each child a small "giving budget" and let them research where it should go. It builds confidence and compassion at the same time.
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Takeaway
Giving back this Thanksgiving in Los Angeles can be as big as serving 2,000 meals on Skid Row or as simple as packing care kits at the kitchen table. The key is to sign up early, check each organization's age rules, and pick a project that fits your family's week.
Whatever you choose, let the kids help decide. When they have a say in how your family gives, gratitude stops being a word on a place card and becomes something they actually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I volunteer on Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles?
Popular Thanksgiving Day options include The Midnight Mission's street festival on Skid Row, Fred Jordan Missions' Thanksgiving Feast, the Westside Thanksgiving Community Dinner, Gobble Gobble Give and LA Family Housing's Thanksgiving lunch. Most require advance registration, so sign up as early as possible.
Can kids volunteer on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles?
Yes, but age rules vary. Food on Foot welcomes kids 6 and up, Food Forward harvests start at age 5, Long Beach Rescue Mission starts at 10, and Union Rescue Mission and the LA Regional Food Bank start at 14. Younger kids can help with food drives and care kits.
How old do you have to be to volunteer at the LA Regional Food Bank?
Standard volunteer activities at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank are for ages 14 and up, and everyone must register online in advance with no walk-ins. Families with younger children can support the Food Bank by starting a #WeFeedLA virtual food drive instead.
How can I help feed the homeless on Thanksgiving in LA?
Volunteer at a mission meal like The Midnight Mission, Los Angeles Mission or Fred Jordan Missions, join Gobble Gobble Give, or serve with Food on Foot in Hollywood. You can also donate to Union Rescue Mission or sponsor meals through Orange County Rescue Mission or Hope the Mission.
What can my family donate for Thanksgiving?
Frozen turkeys, cornbread and canned green beans for Union Station's Turkey Drive, meal bags for LA Family Housing, and pantry staples like canned protein, peanut butter, soup and rice for local food pantries. Warm coats, socks and toiletry kits are also needed this time of year.
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