Give back for Thanksgiving: Where to volunteer/donate


Find out where to volunteer throughout the year with our volunteer guide.

More in-depth coverage of Dayton's volunteer centers and opportunities can be found here.

For most of us, Thanksgiving is a time for being with family, watching the football game or punting the ball amid crunching leaves ourselves, and of course, putting ourselves into a food coma with turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

But many of Dayton's families don't have the resources to have a warm, plentiful holiday, and a variety of local organizations have stepped up to fill the gaps of hunger during the Thanksgiving week. Many local organizations already have the number of volunteers they need, which is wonderful. But if you and/or your family is looking for something very meaningful and helpful to do throughout the week, these organizations are still looking for help or food to benefit the families and residents they serve.

  • Boys and Girls Club of Dayton will be hosting their third annual Early Turkey Day on Nov. 24 at 5:30 p.m., and are still looking for volunteers to help set up the event and serve food. If you're interested, call the Club at (937) 262-8377, or reach out via Facebook. If you can't make it that day, the Club is also seeking non-perishable food donations for baskets to hand out at the event as well. They can be dropped off at the Boys and Girls Club, 1828 W. Stewart St.
  • The YMCA of Greater Dayton is currently collecting canned good at all of its branches, which will benefit families in each local area. If you bring in five canned goods to donate at your branch, the joiners fee (usually $25) will be waived.
  • FoodBank Dayton is partnering up with Tomfoolery Outdoors for the second annual Gobbler Gives Bike Tour Nov. 21, and seeking volunteers to help out during the 17-mile bike ride from Adventures on the Great Miami in Tipp City to FoodBank Dayton and during the After Party that ensues. FoodBank Dayton is also accepting canned goods for the holidays. Those interested in volunteering can email Volunteer Coordinator Lizz Mahar at lkelly@thefoodbankdayton.com. Get more info via Facebook.
  • St. Vincent de Paul Dayton accepts donations year-round for non-perishable food, toiletries, clothing and more. But as the weather turns cold, they are especially seeking blankets, warm coats, boots and other winter essentials. You can drop off donations 24/7 at the Gateway Shelter for Women and Families, 120 W. Apple St., or at the Community Thrift Store at 945 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd. Check out their highest priority needs on their regularly updated wish list, see what exactly you can donate to the shelter's kitchen, and get involved in volunteer opportunities year-round.St. Vincent de Paul is also seeking volunteers to help with laundry, manning the front desk, and more on Thanksgiving Day. Call (937) 222-7349 ext. 103 for more information.

Let us know about more volunteer opportunities during the Thanksgiving holidays via Facebook.

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