7 ways to give back in Brooklyn this Thanksgiving

November 25, 2019 Meaghan McGoldrick

Image via Pexels

Volunteer at a local Thanksgiving dinner

There are lots of ways to give back locally this Turkey Week. After all, this is Brooklyn we’re talking about. Here are just a few:

Bay Ridge

A grassroots volunteer group is looking for a bunch of volunteers for their annual Thanksgiving effort. On Thursday, Nov. 28, Bay Ridge Cares will be serving meals to local seniors at delivering some to those who are unable to celebrate with family or friends. Last year, the group served over 250 dinners — and they’re anticipating even more this year. From dessert drop-off to set-up and serving, you can sign up for one of the group’s five volunteer opportunities here.

Flatbush

Another Thanksgiving Day feast will take place in the courtyard of the historic Kings Theatre at 1027 Flatbush Ave. The free community feast will serve up to 300 people from 12-2 p.m., or while supplies last. And they’re looking for volunteers, too! This will be the third annual luncheon, held in partnership with the Flatbush Avenue and Church Avenue Business Improvement Districts, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus, Stop & Shop, the National Development Council and the 70th Precinct.

Brooklyn Heights

There’s another annual community Thanksgiving dinner, co-sponsored by Heights and Hills, Grace Church and the Cobble Hill Health Center with help from the 84th Police Precinct. The annual give-back is a much-beloved neighborhood tradition hosted at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights. More on that here.

If you can’t find something like this in your community, you can always go and volunteer at the nearest food bank or soup kitchen!

Donate online

Time has a habit of getting away from us — especially when the holidays are approaching. Thankfully, some local volunteer efforts have shifted to an online platform, like the Brooklyn Bank. Thanks to GoFundMe, you can donate directly to the group’s Second Annual Turkey Giveaway, sponsored by Fresh Direct. Last year, the group was able to raise $6,500 and distribute 200 bags of groceries to local families. Already this year, the group has raised over $20,000 for its turkey giveaway and a new holiday toy collection drive. On Sunday, Nov. 24, the team will distribute food to families fo their Thanksgiving meals.

That said, you can donate to any online charity of your choosing if you’re in the giving spirit this week.

Pay a visit to your local community board

More often than not, your local community board will know exactly where you can get giving this holiday season. Whether you have non-perishable food items you want to donate, old shoes or coats you’re looking to get rid of, or you simply know you want to help someone but don’t know where to start — your board should know what you can do to get into the giving spirit. Find yours here.

Support the annual Turkey Trot

The 2019 Turkey Trot at Prospect Park is completely sold out, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go support! This year, 100 runners paid for premium charity bibs benefitting CHiPS, the neighborhood soup kitchen. If you want to go the extra mile (pun absolutely intended), you can make a donation of your own to CHiPS. The race starts at 9 a.m. sharp.

Sponsor a family

Through groups like Family-to-Family, you can sponsor a monthly box of groceries for someone in need. That way, you can keep the giving going well beyond Turkey Day.