Ways to Give Back on Thanksgiving in Orange County

The holiday season brings many opportunities to make a difference. One of the easiest holidays to make a difference on is Thanksgiving. There are so many different ways to give back on Thanksgiving in Orange County. You could find a shelter to volunteer at or donate food to a local food bank; the possibilities are, unfortunately, endless. However, the power of community is also endless and if we all work together we can really make a difference right here in our hometowns. It is no secret that Orange County has a few things to work out as far as helping those in need. But you can be the start of something better for your town or city and our community. 

Ways to Give Back on Thanksgiving | Donations

There are so many ways to give back on Thanksgiving in Orange County and you and your family can be part of the difference. There are more than a few charitable organizations in Orange County. Many of these organizations are asking for help with food donations specifically for Thanksgiving. This may be one of the easiest ways to give back on Thanksgiving in Orange County because it doesn’t require you to spend hours in a location. Instead, you just need to pick up some food and drop it off to a specific location. The rest of the work is done by charitable organizations or other volunteers. 

Friendly Center | Orange, California

Friendly Center is an organization based in Orange, California. They are asking for “Turkey Basket” donations. A turkey basket is a basket or box that contains a $20 gift card to Stater Bros. or Food 4 Less. You could also donate food items that will fill the basket such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, turkey gravy, candied yams, canned veggies, and dinner rolls.

Illumination Foundation | Orange, California

The Illumination Foundation offers a very unique opportunity. You can become a host for a Thanksgiving Meal Kit Drive. The goal is to collect at least 300 meal kits. A meal kit is a box of non-perishable foods, canned foods, and grocery store gift cards. You could also donate food items to the foundation by using the Amazon IF Thanksgiving Meal Kit Wish List. 

Project Hope Alliance | Costa Mesa, California

Project Hope Alliance is taking a straight-forward approach and may be one of the most classic ways to give back on Thanksgiving in Orange County. Simply bring non-perishable foods to the Project Hope Alliance office no later than November 5th. These food items should be non-perishable, unopened, and an expiration date no sooner than January 1st, 2020. 

There are also a few food banks you can donate food to specifically for Thanksgiving. The list of places can be found below.

South County Outreach | Irvine

OC Food Bank | Garden Grove

Share Our Selves | Costa Mesa

Ways to Give Back on Thanksgiving | Volunteer

Donating food is a great way to make a difference on Thanksgiving. But there is another way, a more hands-on way as well. Volunteering opportunities spring up more so during the holiday season. These opportunities could entail serving food to those in need or putting gift baskets together. Every bit helps, no matter what the job is. 

We Give Thanks | Honda Center, Anaheim

We Give Thanks is a charitable organization that aims to enhance the well being of those in need in Southern California. This year, they will be hosting a special Thanksgiving meal complete with entertainment. The organization is looking for volunteers 14 years old or older to help at the Anaheim Convention center on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. There is also another volunteer opportunity on the same day at the Hilton Anaheim and Anaheim Marriott for people 18 years old or older. 

Operation Warm Wishes | Peppertree Park, Tustin, California

Operation Warm Wishes is also hosting a Thanksgiving event on Thanksgiving. This event will not only include dinner. There will also be game trucks, game booths, clothing giveaways, shoe giveaways, haircuts, a petting zoo, crafts and so much more. They are currently looking for donations and volunteers to help with the event. There are no age restrictions listed at this time. 

Someone Cares Kitchen | Costa Mesa

There are also more old fashioned ways to give back on Thanksgiving in Orange County. Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is a classic soup kitchen that will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner. They are currently looking for volunteers to help cook and serve the holiday meal to the homeless, unemployed, and working families that simply can’t afford a full holiday meal. There is an age requirement, you must be 15 years old or older to volunteer.

Village of Hope Campus | Tustin

You can really make a difference at the Village of Hope Campus. The organization is currently looking for volunteers to help with food box assembly, hygiene kit assembly, prepping and cooking food, serving food, and even helping out around the campus. This opportunity opens up every month on the third Saturday of the month. You must RSVP before the third Friday of the month in order to volunteer.