November is one of the busiest months for nonprofits, food banks and community organizations. This DMV Thanksgiving volunteer guide highlights 11 ways to give back across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia. Whether you want to serve meals, distribute groceries, pack holiday food baskets or support a local charity through a fundraising event, there are plenty of opportunities to help.
Key Takeaways
- The bigger picture: The DMV has 11 holiday volunteer opportunities across DC, Maryland and Virginia, from meal prep and deliveries to food distribution and donation drives.
- More details: Options include Food & Friends’ Thanksgiving meal deliveries, Bread for the City’s Holiday Helpings, race-day support at the Alexandria Turkey Trot and SOME’s Trot for Hunger, and gift card and food drives.
- Why this helps: Most roles require advance registration and Thanksgiving spots fill up quickly, so signing up early can help volunteers secure a shift.
From Thanksgiving meal deliveries to turkey trots and holiday gift drives, here’s where you can volunteer in the DMV this season.
Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities in Washington, DC
Bread for the City Holiday Helpings
For 34 years, Bread for the City’s Holiday Helpings program ensures community members with low income have what they need to celebrate the holidays. Families are provided with a whole turkey or chicken, sides and seasonal fresh produce leading up to Thanksgiving. In-kind donations of canned goods and clothing items from their wishlist are welcomed throughout November.
- Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Address: 1700 Marion Barry Ave. SE, Washington, DC; 1525 7th St. NW, Washington, DC
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor community center
- Crowd level: Busy during the holidays
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
Food & Friends
Throughout November, Food & Friends prepares and delivers over 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to people living with serious illnesses throughout the area. Volunteers help prepare a meal of roasted turkey, dressing, gravy, sides and pie and deliver meals so recipients can enjoy the holiday without hassle. Volunteer opportunities are held from Nov. 9-26. Kitchen shifts begin at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the preparation period. Thanksgiving Day kitchen shifts begin at 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. Kitchen volunteers must be at least 14. Thanksgiving delivery drivers must be at least 18, use their own vehicle, have a valid license and clean driving record, and complete required screening and orientation. Delivery pickups are at Fort Totten Metro.
- Hours: Vary throughout Thanksgiving meal preparation
- Address: 219 Riggs Road NE, Washington, DC
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor building
- Crowd level: Busy during the holiday season
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
SOME’s Trot for Hunger
SOME’s annual Trot for Hunger raises money to provide meals, housing, healthcare and job training for DC residents in need. Volunteers help with race-day setup, registration, course guidance and cleanup to ensure a fun and safe event.
- Hours: 6:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 26
- Address: 1325 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Good to know
- Setting: Outdoor race
- Crowd level: Very busy
- Reservation requirements: Advance registration required for runners and volunteers
Martha’s Table Community Harvest Dinner
Help families in need celebrate Thanksgiving by volunteering with Martha’s Table for their annual Community Harvest Dinner, hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Volunteers help support inventory management, build and hang decorations, setup dining tables and additional general setup tasks. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
- Date: Volunteer shifts vary throughout the month
- Address: 1600 Morris Road SE, Washington, DC
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor church
- Crowd level: Moderate to busy
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
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Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities in Maryland
Colesville Council of Community Congregations (C-4) Thanksgiving Dinner
Help serve Thanksgiving dinner to local families through C-4, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide essential resources to community members in need. Volunteers must be 14 years old or older. Additionally, volunteers can assist with donation restocking every Thursday from 9-11:30 a.m. or donate gently used clothing and linens.
- Hours: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 24
- Address: 1500 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor church
- Crowd level: Moderate to busy
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
Holiday Gift Card Drive for JLG-RICA Students
Help brighten a student’s day at John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA) by donating a gift card for the holiday season. JLG-RICA is a residential, educational, treatment facility for youth and adolescents with severe emotional disabilities. Requested gift cards include Target, Walmart, Giant, Best Buy, Safeway, Wegmans, Barnes & Noble, Kohl’s, Aldi and Visa.
- Address: 15000 Broschart Road, Rockville, MD
Good to know
- Setting: Donation drive
- Crowd level: Low
- Reservation requirements: Sign up to donate
Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project
Support one of 14 Montgomery County organizations who provide assistance to families in low-income households through their Holiday Giving Project. Volunteers help collect and distribute meal baskets, toys and gift cards to referred families. For more ways to get everyone involved, explore these 5 ways to give back as a family.
- Address: Vary based on partner organization
- Hours: Vary based on partner organization
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor building
- Crowd level: Moderate to busy
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities in Virginia
Arlington Turkey Trot
Arlington is celebrating 20 years of Turkey Trots this year with its fabulous 5K fun run through some of the best gardens and parks in the heart of the city. Run and support one of the 10 non profit NGOs the race is helping give back to this year: Arlington Free Clinic, Arlington Neighborhood Village, Aspire Afterschool Learning, The Clothesline for Arlington Kids, Culpepper Garden, Kitchen of Purpose, OAR, PathForward, Project Belong, and the Shirlington Employment and Education Center (SEEC).
- Date: 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026
- Address: Directly in front of Lyon Park Community Center, 414 N Fillmore St, Arlington
Good to know
- Setting: Outdoor
- Crowd level: Moderate
- Reservation requirements: Sign-up required
Alexandria Turkey Trot
Over 6,000 participants join in on this Thanksgiving tradition where racers bring and donate nonperishable goods to ALIVE. You can also volunteer to help with setup, runner registration, t-shirt sales, crowd control, water stop, finish line management and cleanup. If interested, email volunteer@alexandriaturkeytrot.com.
- Hours: Nov. 22-26 (shift times vary by day); race is from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 26
- Address: Alexandria Toyota, 3750 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA; Pacers Running, 1301 King St., Alexandria, VA
Good to know
- Setting: Outdoor race
- Crowd level: Very busy
- Reservation requirements: Advance registration required for runners and volunteers
Food for Others
Food for Others is an important safety net in Northern Virginia that provides food for families who are in need. Volunteers assist with sorting, packing and distributing groceries during shifts. First-time volunteers are recommended to begin in the main warehouse before exploring other opportunities.
- Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Address: 2938 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor warehouse
- Crowd level: Moderate to busy
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
Capital Area Food Bank
Assisting the Capital Area Food Bank can be a great option if you’re limited on time by donating food that is high fiber, low sugar and low in sodium to help get food onto the plates of those who need it. Monetary donations are also welcomed and will be used to provide critical services for families in need throughout the DMV. Volunteers are also needed to deliver food, work markets and more.
- Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Address: 6833 Hill Park Drive, Lorton, VA
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor food bank
- Crowd level: Moderate
- Reservation requirements: None
The 25th Project
Founded by Jay Herriott, The 25th Project helps people experiencing homelessness throughout the DMV. Join them on Thanksgiving to help cook, pack and deliver meals at Burke Community Church. Additionally, help at their propane drive on Nov. 25 to collect, refill and deliver propane tanks to help people stay warm throughout the winter.
- Date: Nov. 25-26, times TBD
- Address: 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Burke, VA
Good to know
- Setting: Indoor church
- Crowd level: Moderate
- Reservation requirements: Volunteer registration required in advance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I volunteer in the DMV this Thanksgiving?
Try Food & Friends, Food for Others, SOME’s Trot for Hunger or the Alexandria Turkey Trot.
Can teenagers volunteer for Thanksgiving?
Food & Friends, Martha’s Table and C-4 list opportunities for ages 14 and older. Confirm requirements for your chosen role.
Do I need to register in advance to volunteer?
Most opportunities require advance registration. Check available shifts early, as Thanksgiving spots can fill quickly.
How can I help if I cannot attend a volunteer shift?
Donate food, clothing or gift cards. Check each organization’s current wishlist before giving.
Cayla Gardner is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and a contributor to Washington Parent who covers local events, attractions and lifestyle topics. With a background in public relations and communications, she is passionate about creating engaging, useful content that helps readers discover the best their communities have to offer.
