Photo credit: StockCake
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate gratitude and the spirit of giving, and North Carolina offers countless ways to make a meaningful impact in your community. From volunteering at local events to supporting food drives, there’s something for everyone to participate in this Thanksgiving season. Here’s your guide to some incredible opportunities across the state — join your neighbors and make a difference!
Food Drives & Volunteer Opportunities for Thanksgiving in North Carolina
1. Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Volunteer at this event on November 27, 2024, and bring the holiday spirit to life for the Charlotte community! Volunteers, aged 16 and up, will complete training before the event. This is a fantastic way to engage with the community while enjoying the joy and spectacle of the season. Roles Available: Balloon handlers, costume walkers, float escorts, and push cart handlers.
2. Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
This organization is a crucial resource, providing food to over 560,000 individuals facing hunger in the region. Supporting over half a million North Carolinians. They welcome both non-perishable donations and volunteers to help with food sorting and packing during the holiday season. They are actively seeking donations of non-perishable food items, especially during the holiday season. You can donate online or drop off food at their various locations. More information can be found here.
3. Durham Rescue Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner
This event provides free meals and grocery bags for those in need on Thanksgiving Day in Durham. Volunteers help make this event possible, ensuring everyone has a place to gather and celebrate the season in the Triangle area. They are looking for volunteers to help serve meals and distribute bags of groceries on Thanksgiving Day. This community effort also includes fun activities for children. More details can be found here.
4. Operation Turkey
This initiative focuses on delivering warm meals to those in need across various locations in North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers are needed to help prepare, package, and deliver meals. You can sign up to volunteer through their website here. Across North Carolina, Operation Turkey mobilizes volunteers to deliver warm meals to those who might otherwise go without on Thanksgiving Day.
5. Raleigh is Growing Real Estate Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
This annual food drive collects non-perishable items for local families in need. Donations can be dropped off at designated locations leading up to Thanksgiving. Check local listings on platforms like Eventbrite for specific drop-off details.
6. TABLE (Carrboro, NC)
TABLE provides food assistance specifically to children in need within the community. They welcome food donations and volunteers to help pack and distribute meals during the holiday season. More information is available on their website here. TABLE focuses on providing food assistance to children in need. Consider donating or volunteering to support their mission this Thanksgiving.
7. Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA)
CORA serves residents of Chatham County by providing food assistance and is currently accepting food donations for Thanksgiving. They also have volunteer opportunities available during this busy season. Visit their site for more details here.
Sponsoring A Family in Need
Some organizations offer programs where you can sponsor a family for Thanksgiving by providing them with groceries or a full holiday meal.Engage in community beautification projects leading up to Thanksgiving, which can foster a sense of community spirit.
1. Note in the Pocket
Note in the Pocket provides clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families. While they don’t explicitly mention a family sponsorship program, they offer various ways to get involved, including financial donations, clothing donations, and starting clothing drives.
2. Wake County Holiday Cheer Program
This program matches children and seniors with sponsors from the community who provide meals, gifts, and other support during the holidays. As a sponsor, you can:
- Apply to be matched with a family based on your giving preferences
- Choose an event to meet and deliver gifts to your matched family
- Spend an average of $75 per person on gifts
- Sponsor families ranging from one adult to families with up to 10 children
3. Carolina Cares NC
Carolina Cares hosts a sponsorship program during Thanksgiving and Christmas. They match private sponsors with families who need assistance with holiday meals and gifts. As a sponsor, you can:
- Provide food for a family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas meals
- Choose specific children to “adopt” and sponsor for holiday gifts
- Select children based on various criteria, such as location, age, or shared interests
4. Safe Families for Children
While not specifically a holiday sponsorship program, Safe Families for Children offers opportunities to support families in crisis throughout the year. They have a network of volunteers who provide temporary homes for children and support for parents facing various challenges.
Use Social Media to Spread the Word
Use social media platforms to raise awareness about local needs and encourage others to volunteer or donate. If you’re passionate about supporting local causes, use social media to raise awareness! Share volunteering events, encourage donations, and highlight the importance of giving back. Try using hashtags like #NCGivesBack and #ThanksgivingService to connect with others making a difference.
Engage in Community Clean-Up Events
Join neighbors in beautifying your community ahead of the holiday season. Community clean-ups foster a sense of pride and togetherness while making your neighborhood an even better place to live. The Great Raleigh Cleanup has a list of events where you can get involved to clean up the Triangle area!
Ways to Give Back Beyond Volunteering
If volunteering in person isn’t possible, there are still many impactful ways to give back this Thanksgiving:
As you embrace the season of giving, remember that your efforts — big or small — contribute to a stronger, more connected North Carolina community. The Givefinity App is a valuable tool for recording and sharing your volunteer experiences, whether for personal reflection or to inspire others to get involved. Download Givefinity today to easily track your hours, stay organized, and make every act of kindness count this Thanksgiving and beyond.
