Volunteer opportunities in LA: Food charities that need your help (Time Out)

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Check out our list of holiday volunteer opportunities in Los Angeles.

 

‘Tis the season to be jolly and thankful, and well-fed and warm. ‘Tis also the season to give to those who may be less fortunate—and more hungry—by taking advantage of the city’s many volunteer opportunities. Start your volunteer work with our list of some of the best places in Los Angeles to feed the needy—and hopefully your altruism will linger well past the holidays. RECOMMENDED: See full coverage of Thanksgiving in Los Angeles

Midnight Mission

Midnight Mission

Downtown LA’s Midnight Mission is one of the best-run organizations of its kind, offering counseling, education, training and job placement to the city’s homeless population, as well as food, shelter, personal hygiene and medical care. Along with regular meal services and food donation drives, the Mission holds special Thanksgiving and Christmas events. If you’d like to help during a special event, start with a regular dining hall service shift first. Note: Because it’s an all-male facility, Midnight Mission asks that female volunteers come with a companion (male or female).

 

Union Station Homeless Services

Union Station Homeless Services

USHS, San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency, has hosted “Dinner in the Park” for over four decades. Deemed the biggest potluck in the nation by the LA Times, the volunteer-run dinner helps provide warm holiday meals to more than 7,000 low income, homeless and senior citizens. For details and volunteer information, apply online; and if you’re interested in donating goods, take a look at USHS’ most-wanted list (green beans are in high demand). The agency also offers year-round community meal programs and other services for the area’s homeless population, including emergency shelter, community shower programs, children’s education and recreational activity and adult classes in parenting, money management and nutrition.

 

One Voice

One Voice

Santa Monica–based One Voice puts on an annual Holiday Food Program to distribute Christmas food baskets, toys and books to more than 2,500 families living in poverty in the LA area. On the Thursday and Friday before Christmas, more than 2,000 volunteers come together to prep, sort and package food—it’s a festive atmosphere with holiday music and lots of socializing. Saturday, volunteers deliver the food and toys to seven distribution centers, and on Sunday, families arrive to receive the goods and celebrate with volunteers. To be part of the celebration, check One Voice’svolunteer info page and fill out a registration form.

 

SOVA Community Food and Resource Program

SOVA Community Food and Resource Program

At each of SOVA’s three service centers (West LA, West Hollywood and Van Nuys), Food Pantries are stocked with nutritious canned and packaged foods, breads and fresh produce. Pantries provide a free five-day supply of groceries and hygiene products for each family member in need. Volunteers are needed for everything from packaging and inventory to registering clients and entering data. SOVA offers opportunities for both “occasional” and “core” volunteers—check their site to learn more about both.

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Fred Jordan Mission

Fred Jordan Mission

The Fred Jordan Mission has provided food, clothing, blankets and other services to the homeless population of inner city Los Angeles for more than 50 years. Its Street Banquet on Skid Row offers a traditional turkey dinner to hundreds of the area’s homeless. FJM also hosts a Christmas Celebration during which volunteers hand out food bags, toys and blankets—as well as sing carols—to more than 12,000 of downtown’s neediest. Volunteer opportunities are also available during Easter, Mother’s Day and Back-to-Shool. Check the Mission’s website and fill out a volunteer form to get involved. Note: The FJM is a religious organization and tends to hand out “food for the soul” (a.k.a. bibles) along with its “food for the body”—in case that sort of thing makes you uncomfy.

Food on Foot

Food on Foot

This organization distributes food (chicken, fresh fruits and veggies, granola bars, milk etc.) and gently used clothing, shoes and blankets every week in Hollywood. You can sign up to volunteer anytime, and though it usually costs $25 (providing the funds to feed about five people for a day), for FOF’s bigThanksgiving Day celebration, volunteer cost is $100. Note: Neil Patrick Harris is a benefactor—he won $100,000 for FOF on Jeopardy in 2010—so don’t be surprised if while volunteering you see him don a hairnet and take to the streets.

 

Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission

Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission

Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission offers a host of services, including hot meals, health services and housing to the needy population in San Fernando Valley. Though its annual Thanksgiving Banquet volunteer sign-ups often fill up, you can still help to hand out hot meals, clothing, medicine and hygiene kits on weekdays, as well as volunteering for its breakfast on Saturdays and BBQs every other Sunday. Check the website for a calendar of events.

 

 

One Incredible Family

One Incredible Family

This organization comes together to prepare meals, which volunteers bring to different shelters in West LA to be handed out by shelter volunteers. If you’re interested in the prep and cooking, but maybe not ready for the interaction side of things, this could be the group for you. Each November, OIF hosts its annual Homeless Feeding, an all-day event including meal prep, assembly and packing, delivery and serving at different shelters, and post-event cleanup. You can either donate your time or drop off key necessities like pre-cooked turkeys, pies, juice boxes, water or delivery vans (you know, if you have one handy).

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LA Regional Food Bank

LA Regional Food Bank

Help distribute food to LA’s hungry at the LA Regional Food Bank. Volunteers are needed for food sorting, special events and food drives, including the organization’s upcoming Operation Gobble, where volunteers will help to sort, inspect and repackage food for delivery during the holidays. Check the Food Bank website for a list of upcoming Gobble dates and to register.

 

 

 

http://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/volunteer-opportunities-in-la-food-charities-that-need-your-help

Super King Markets and Union Station Homeless Services  Team Up to Feed People in Need this Holiday Season

Super King Markets and Union Station Homeless Services Team Up to Feed People in Need this Holiday Season

Contact: Dana Bean, 626-240-4558, dbean@unionstatonhs.org

Los Angeles, CA – Super King Markets are hungry to help this holiday season.  The Southern California grocery store chain has teamed up with Union Station Homeless Services to collect food for those in need. The market will be hosting food drives in all six of its stores from November 18 until the end of the year.

“I am excited about this opportunity to help our communities,” said Daniel Barth, General Manager of Super King Markets. “Super King is in the food business. The opportunity to support a great organization like Union Station Homeless Services that focuses on feeding people is a natural partnership for us.

“On the very first day,” continued Barth, “one of our customers donated $80 worth of food. I feel proud that we are engaging our shoppers to help others in such an impactful and intentional way.”

The food collected will be used to prepare holiday meals at Union Station’s “Dinners-in-the-Park,” a holiday feast which feeds more than 7,000 people. In addition to donating food collected, Super King is also a sponsor of the annual event, which is held on Thanksgiving and Christmas in Pasadena’s Central Park each year.

“This amazing community event would not be possible without the support of sponsors like Super King, as well hundreds of volunteers who help us serve food on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Dana Bean, Director of Development for Union Station.

For Super King shoppers and other friends of the community that want to support Union Station Homeless Services and the Dinners-in-the-Park holiday food drive, here is a list of the most needed items:

Item Needed Exact Size Needed
Canned Green Beans 6 lbs. 5 oz. (#10 Can)
Mushroom Soup 26 oz. or larger
Cranberry Sauce 6 lbs. 5 oz. (#10 can)
Canned Corn 6 lbs. 5 oz. (#10 can)
Instant Mashed Potatoes 26 oz. or larger
Italian Salad Dressing 16 oz.
Pumpkin Pie Any Size
Full Size Deep Aluminum Steam Pans with Lids 20.75” x 12.8” x 3.2”
Ground Coffee Any Size

Items can be dropped of Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4.30pm at 412 S. Raymond Ave. The community is also invited to make a donation at www.unionstationhs.org.

ABOUT UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES

Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services

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Community Unites to Feed Thousands in needs at Union Station Homeless Services’  Annual Dinners-in-the-Park

Community Unites to Feed Thousands in needs at Union Station Homeless Services’ Annual Dinners-in-the-Park

Contact: Dana Bean, 626-240-4558, dbean@unionstationhs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2014

 

PASADENA– It’s a deeply beloved tradition in Pasadena: each Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 850 volunteers of all ages – adorned with hair nets, aprons and plastic gloves – lovingly serve turkey with stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and pie to those less fortunate in Pasadena’s Central Park. The tradition known as Dinner-in-the-Park began in 1972 when a group of local volunteers organized a free holiday meal to feed homeless and poor people in the community.More than four decades later, Union Station Homeless Service continues to organize the annual meal as an expression of compassion and care for those who otherwise might not see such holiday fare.

This year, the tradition continues. Union Station Homeless Services expects to serve more than 4,000 plates of food, along with the help of volunteers, and key community partners, including Goldstar, Home Street Bank, Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Charitable Foundation, Super King, Longo Toyoto-Scion-Lexus, Sprouts Famers Market, Centerplate, and the Pasadena Convention Center. This wonderful community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays.

“We are so grateful to the caring volunteers who bring warmth and the true spirit of community to Central Park each year, said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services. “Their efforts to help us feed thousands of people is truly inspirational!”

Volunteer registration for Thanksgiving is now closed, but the agency is still in need of non-perishable food donations. A Wish List of much needed items can be found at https://unionstationhs.org/?p=3570.The community is invited to drop off these supplies (in the indicated sizes) at 412 S. Raymond.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Health Department regulations, Union Station Homeless Services is no longer able to accept turkey or prepared food donations at the event.

 

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Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.

 

 

 

 

Union Station Homeless Services receives donation from Henry DeNero of HomeSpace

Union Station Homeless Services receives donation from Henry DeNero of HomeSpace

Pasadena, CA – Union Station Homeless Services has received a $100,000 donation from Henry DeNero of Home Space.

DeNero served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Homespace, a provider of Internet real estate and home services, from January 1999 until many of its assets were acquired by LendingTree, Inc. in August 2000. The gift to Union Station Homeless Services results from the sale of the company’s remaining assets.

This very generous gift will help Union Station Homeless Services continue to provide housing, employment and life skills programs to people experiencing homelessness in the San Gabriel Valley.

“Giving this gift is an easy choice,” says Denero. “Union Station has a long history of success, and I know this gift will be used effectively.”

Committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives, Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community.

“This is just amazing! We are very grateful,” said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services. “This gift comes at an exciting time of growth as we expand our efforts to serve more people than ever before.”

Union Station Homeless Services is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest homeless services agency. Since 1973, Union Station has helped rebuild the lives of thousands of people who were once homeless and without hope. The agency provides a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations, and services include street outreach, meals, shelter, care coordination, housing, and employment development.

For more information, the public may call (626) 240-4550 or visit www.unionstationhs.org.

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Union Station Homeless Services Brings Meals and Cheer to Homeless at Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park (Pasadena Journal)

For 41 years, Union Station Homeless Services has hosted Dinners-in-the-Park, an incredible community-driven holiday event. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, volunteers serve holiday meals to all who are hungry, including homeless and low-income adults and families, senior citizens, and those who are alone at the holidays or unable to afford a holiday meal.

Union Station will be holding its Christmas Dinner-in-the-Park celebration on December 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Central Park, in Pasadena, CA.

This event would not be possible without donors and volunteers. We invite the public to contribute in the following ways:

Donate Non-Perishable Food: Visit http://bit.ly/1iQ3a5q to see our Christmas Wish List, and help us gather everything we need to make a great meal. NOTE: Due to Health Department regulations, we may no longer accept home-cooked turkeys, side dishes, or desserts.

Donate Funds: Union Station serves more than 166,000 meals each year, and provides a full array of services to help people rebuild lives. Invest in transforming a life today:https://unionstationhs.org/help/donate/?program=dip/.

Donate a Pie: You can help two nonprofits at once! Purchase a pie through the Village Cookie Shoppe and you will also be providing valuable work experience to individuals living with mental illness! Visit http://bit.ly/1bxuI9X.

Become a Corporate Sponsor: Invest in our community and receive signage in the park by sponsoring Dinners-in-the-Park. Call (626) 240-4567 today. Current sponsors include Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Southern California Edison, Goldstar, Unified Grocers, Smart & Final, Sir Michael’s, Laborers’ Local 777, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Paul Hastings, Pasadena Now, Valley Food Bank, Home Street Bank, Gonzalez Goodale Architects and Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Charitable Foundation.

Volunteer Slots Are Full for this Event: Please check our website back after Jan. 1, 2014, for general volunteering opportunities in the coming year.

[Union Station Homeless Services is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Our mission is help men, women and children rebuild their lives and end homelessness. Union Station provides comprehensive services to help homeless individuals achieve self-sufficiency, including intake and assessment, emergency shelter, case management, career counseling, transitional housing, medical and mental health services, women’s and family services, and housing resources.]

 

http://www.pasadenajournal.com/african-american-business-and-community-news/article-archives/6051-union-station-homeless-services-brings-meals-and-cheer-to-homeless-at-christmas-dinner-in-the-park