November ushers in the spirit of thanks as many of us prepare to welcome traveling family and friends into our homes. We look forward to the smell of grandma’s cooking breezing through the house, and sitting around the table passing around our favorite dishes. 

But as we ponder what we’re thankful for, we cannot forget to think of those who will go without this holiday season. If you’re wishing you could help those in need, here are five ways you and your family can volunteer time this month to bring holiday cheer to those who need it most:

1. Sponsor, Donate to, or Volunteer at The Alliance’s Thanksgiving for Refugees

The Alliance serves to provide as well as create opportunities for refugees, immigrants, and underserved residents that call Houston home. The organization will host their annual Thanksgiving for Refugees fall event November 12 at 10 a.m. For this festival-like event, the organization is seeking volunteers to help produce care boxes and prep/serve food. You can also donate needed supplies such as cooking oil, rice, beans, winter clothing items, and hygiene products to be given to the attending families.

2. Prep or Serve at City Wide Club’s Thanksgiving Super Feast

Big Thanksgiving events are to be expected each year by the City Wide Club as they serve the community through acts of service each and every day. This year, the club is seeking volunteers to help with the preparation and serving of their Thanksgiving Super Feast dinner. Sign up for kitchen shifts on the prep day as well as the day of the feast. Don’t forget you can also donate non-perishable foods, toys, and household items. 

3. Volunteer for Turkey Tailgate or Operation Turkey

National organization Operation Turkey comes to Houston each year with two opportunities to volunteer. First is their Turkey Tailgate, where volunteers gather to smoke hundreds of the Thanksgiving turkies and accept care package donations. On Thanksgiving Day, meals will be prepped, packaged, and delivered to the houseless and the less fortunate. There are four locations across Houston; sign up today.

4. Make a Few Phone Calls For Meals on Wheels

Interfaith Ministries hosts the annual Thanksgiving project, Meals on Wheels, to deliver hot meals to elderly seniors that are not able to leave their homes, properly cook for themselves, or will not have company on this holiday. This year, they are accepting volunteers to be a part of their Thanksgiving day “call bank” to call about 5,200 seniors in the Houston and Galveston area. You will only be required to place 10 phone calls, but if you’re really in the spirit you can place as many calls as you would like. 

5. Volunteer in the Warehouse, Kitchen, or Offsite For the Houston Food Bank

With 40 years of service, the Houston Food Bank is offering plenty of volunteer shifts through the month of November to assist with various tasks. Volunteers can sign up to help prepare and package meals, inspect food items received from supermarkets, fill backpacks with food for at-risk children, and assist with custom curbside orders. The food bank will be closed the day of Thanksgiving but will resume shifts the next day.