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12 Ways to Give Back During the Holidays in Philly

  • November 18, 2022
  • | 9:38 AM

Give back and spread love all season long!

There’s no better time than the holidays to give back. Philly, aka the city of brotherly love, is our home and we want to spread love as much as possible. We have no doubt you’re on the same page, so we’ve created a list of ways to give back during the holidays. Check it out!

Donate a turkey or meal

Year after year, families across the country struggle to afford a turkey for Thanksgiving. Turkeys are even more expensive this year, making this a bigger struggle. If you want to help provide a meal to a family in need, here’s how:

  1. On November 22, you can drop off a turkey during  102.9 WMGK Radio & CityTeam’s 20th annual Turkey Drop at either the Kimmel Center or 12 participating ACME locations.
  2. If you’d rather give back by donating $20 to cover the cost of a turkey for a family in need, you can do that right now through Mighty Writers. This organization plans to give away 1,000 turkeys this year! 
  3. You can also donate money to Philabundance and the Share Food Program. They distribute food to hundreds of food sites across Philadelphia to provide for those in need.

Volunteer at a local food bank

Here are two food banks looking for volunteers:

  1. Philly House, formerly Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, will be hosting its annual Thanksgiving event! They will provide meals and an outdoor hearing lounge for people to enjoy. They will need over 80 volunteers to make it happen. You can sign up for various positions, or donate/buy items from their Amazon wishlist here. It’s not too late!
  2. Everybody Eats is also hosting a Thanksgiving day event! Their third annual Thanksgiving Give Back event at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Camden will provide food and clothing to those in need. Click here for more info! What better day than Thanksgiving to spread and give back?

For a list of more local organizations and food banks in need of volunteers, check out Philabundance’s website. They are a wonderful resource to use when searching for places to support in Philly.

Volunteer at homeless shelters

While providing quality housing to those experiencing homelessness is something we value year-round, its importance is heightened during the colder months. Here are some homeless shelters looking for donations or volunteers: 

  1. Project Home provides affordable and subsidized housing for those who had been homeless. This housing is permanent and helps people get back on their feet. Whether you choose to donate, buy a gift from their store, or volunteer, you will be supporting an awesome non-profit!
  2. Broad Street Ministry provides people experiencing homelessness with their basic needs. They offer temporary housing, meals, clothes, and other services that help keep people off the streets. This ministry is another great place to give back through volunteering, but donating on their website goes a long way too! 
  3. Dignity Housing was founded in 1988, making it the first housing and supportive services program in the country! They primarily serve single black women and their children by providing quality affordable housing and supportive services. Dignity is always looking for volunteers! 

Donate to animal shelters

To make sure our furry friends have decent shelter, especially during the holiday season, you can give back to local animal shelters. Here are a few that could use your help: 

  1. Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is determined to provide every healthy, treatable pet with a home. Their mission is to make Philly a “no-kill city.” They keep their mission alive through rescue, foster care, and adoption services. And you can easily donate today!
  2. Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) Philly acctphilly.org/volunteer is the city’s main animal control and sheltering provider. They have nearly reached capacity on dogs and will not accept non-emergency dog intake. If you’re looking to foster, please consider ACCT! Click here for more info!
  3. Morris Animal Refuge is a local animal clinic, shelter, and adoption center that provides the best care for the animals. They are dedicated to helping abandoned pets in Philadelphia. We’re dedicated to supporting their mission. You can give back to them by volunteering, donating, or fostering an animal! 

Run for a cause

If you’re the type of person who likes to kill two birds with one stone, a benefit race is the best idea! Exercise + giving back = good for the soul.

The PHLY Turkey Trot will take place on November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) at 9am. There is a 1-mile Fun Run/Walk for those who want a quicker trail. The registration fee will be $25 until November 22. The other option is the 5-mile Run which will be $35 until November 22. This race will benefit Face to Face, an amazing non-profit human services organization in Philly. They are dedicated to the health, well-being, and overall empowerment of our community.  

 

 

Let us know how you'll be giving back this season!

Whether you’re donating or volunteering, running in a race, or fostering a puppy, there are plenty of ways to give back this holiday season! We’ve listed 12 ideas that we hope you’ll consider! If you do, be sure to let us know on social media. Find us @StuffToDoinPhilly on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok!

 

Curated by

Alyssa Thompson

Alyssa Thompson

Philly City Girl ?| Lifestyle | Foodie | Health & Wellness | Fashion | Sports

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