There’s still time to donate goods or your time to help give a Thanksgiving meal to one of New York City’s poor and elderly. And there is good reason to do so.
According to the New York Times, the number of people in city shelters reached 58,562 last week, and homelessness appears to be rising. Here’s how to help on Thanksgiving Day and beyond:
The Bowery Mission, which will have its 135th Thanksgiving, plans to serve 1,600 meals tomorrow. Its volunteer slots are full, but food donations are being accepted around the clock at 227 Bowery (near Prince Street; look for the double green doors). Milk, butter and eggs are especially welcome; they’ve got the turkeys and potatoes covered. Pork, beef and chicken are also gladly received, as the charity continues to serve three meals a day.
Or you can donate to the Bowery Mission directly or check out its list of different ways to help.
Le Pain Quotidien declared this “Bowery Mission Week” and is collecting financial donations at the cash registers in its Manhattan locations.
Here are some other places to volunteer this week and beyond:
• FeedingNYC needs helpers to hand-deliver Thanksgiving meals.
• Citymeals on Wheels also needs people to hand-deliver meals, and more.
• God’s Love We Deliver welcomes help delivering meals to people with life-threatening illnesses.
Donate your time at any senior citizens home. My mother was a resident of Jewish Home Lifecare on the Upper West Side in her late 90s and early 100s, and I often volunteer there on holidays to serve meals, move chairs or anything else that is needed.
Mommy Poppins has its guide to Thanksgiving volunteering with children.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.