My kids don't understand how lucky they are. I've tried to explain but I think they need some hands on learning. Do you know of any local soup kitchens, shelters that they can serve at?

–Amy

Unfortunately, most shelters and soup kitchens don't allow volunteers under the age of 14. (They typically suspend this rule on Thanksgiving and Christmas when they are flooded with volunteers and the need is particularly great). However, there are many other organizations in NYC that are in need of volunteers. Volunteer NY has a database filled with opportunities for families and DOROT invites families to deliver holiday packages to homebound seniors. Alyssa and her family have volunteered with Dorot several times and the seniors really get a tremendous lift from a visit with children--it's a really moving experience for the entire family.

Quick question regarding volunteer work on certain dates.  I am looking for information on lending a helping hand in a soup kitchen this Saturday, Dec 22nd and am not having much luck finding anything in NYC that will accept help without either an application or some
sort or that they are just "booked".  Do either of you have any ideas?
I feel like I have exhausted just about every contact and website out there.
Thanks!

–Leigh

Did you check all the organizations we recommended in our newsletter, Thanks and Giving?

Here's a list of Food Kitchens and Pantries:

All Souls Soup Kitchen, 1157 Lexington Avenue (212) 535-5530
Bowery Mission, 227 Bowery st. 212-674-3456
Broadway Presbyterian, 601 W 114th st. 212-222-2025
Christian Help In Park Slope, 200 4th Ave. Brooklyn 718-237-2962
Church of the Epiphany, 1393 York Ave 212-737-2720 (*Wednesday Dinner)
Food Bank NYC, Hunts Point Coop Market 355 Food Center Drive, Bronx 212-566-7855 x. 2222
Hour Children, 36-11A 12th street Long Island City, Queens 718-433-4724
Love Gospel Assembly, 2323 Grand Concourse Bronx 718-295-6366
Neighbors Together, 2094 Fulton St. Brownsville, Brooklyn 718-498-7256
St. John's Bread and Life, 75 Lewis Ave. Brooklyn 718-574-0058
Trinity Lutheran Soup Kitchen, 602 East 9th street 212.228.5254
Yorkville Common Pantry, 1429 5th Ave. 212.410.2264
Village Temple Soup Kitchen, 33 East 12th Street 212-674-2340

Hope this helps you to help!

I would like to do some charity work with my children over the holidays. They are sitll young but not too young to learn the importance of giving. Please let me know if you have any ideas? Thanks.

–Allison

First stop: New York Cares' Winter Wishes. Through this program, children, teens, and families write letters to New York Cares requesting a gift for the holidays. You can sign up online to receive a letter and then purchase and send the gift. If you want something a little more "hands on," there are plenty of organizations that need manpower during the holidays. Check out our newsletter called Thanks and Giving for a good place to start.