The holidays are a busy season for local nonprofits, with many organizations working to provide support to families in need. If you want to help, you have options beyond making a financial donation. Here are some local ways to give your time, resources, or skills this holiday season.

St. Monica Thanksgiving Feast

📍 St. Monica Catholic Community, 725 California Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403

📅 Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteer sign-up opens Friday, Oct. 30.

The St. Monica Thanksgiving Feast is a free sit-down Thanksgiving meal for anyone who needs one, and guests also go home with new clothing and toiletries. Last year it served 1,019 meals, including 126 delivered to people who can’t leave home, and gave out 425 sleeping bags. It has been running for more than 45 years.

Volunteering is a one-day commitment that fits around the holiday itself. If you’d rather give, this year they’re asking for money to buy fresh food instead of canned goods, and you can drop a check at the parish office.

Spark of Love Toy Drive

📍 Any Culver City fire station: 9600 Culver Blvd, 11252 Washington Blvd or 6030 Bristol Pkwy

📅 Usually mid-November through Christmas Eve

Spark of Love is the holiday toy drive the Culver City Fire Department runs for kids and teens in need. Last season was its 33rd year.

Drop off a new, unwrapped toy or piece of sports equipment at any of the three stations. Gifts for babies and teens are the biggest need, like headphones, skateboards, basketballs or makeup brushes, and they can’t take toy weapons, anything glass or toiletries like perfume. It’s a quick errand stop, and picking out a gift is easy to do with kids.

West Valley Food Pantry

📍 Prince of Peace Church north parking lot, 5700 Rudnick Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

📅 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Closed Nov. 26 and 27 and Dec. 24 and 25.

West Valley Food Pantry runs a drive-through pantry for San Fernando Valley neighbors, from working families to seniors and people without housing. It started in 1985, picks up about 15,000 pounds of food from grocery partners every week, and its home delivery program for seniors now reaches about 600 people.

Volunteers hand out boxes of shelf-stable food like milk, beans, grains and canned fruit and vegetables to people coming through the line. You need to be 18 or older and able to lift 30 pounds, training is provided, and it’s a good fit for anyone with a flexible weekday schedule.

Meals on Wheels West

📍 1823-A Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

📅 Delivery routes and office shifts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Meals on Wheels West has delivered meals to homebound neighbors in Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades and Malibu since 1974. More than 850 people volunteered with them last year, and 93 people are on the waitlist for meals right now.

A delivery volunteer picks up meals in Santa Monica and brings them to about 10 people in one neighborhood, with a few minutes of conversation at each door. Office volunteers sort meals and clean returned meal bags. After a short background check you can go once a week or once a year, and students can earn service hours.

Westside Food Bank

📍 1710 22nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90404

📅 Check their website for this season’s dates.

Westside Food Bank is the warehouse that supplies more than 70 food pantries and social service agencies across the Westside. It has been doing that since 1981 and moves about 4.5 million pounds of food a year.

A volunteer shift means sorting food in the warehouse, and you can sign up on your own or with a group of up to five. Bigger groups can book their own event, which works well for coworkers or a service club.

Give What Fits Your Capacity

You do not have to commit an entire weekend or spend a lot of money to help. A box of requested food items, a new toy, an hour of volunteer time, or a small donation can all support local holiday programs.

If your schedule is tight, look for a drop-off donation that you can add to your regular errands. If you have more time, consider a volunteer shift or family-friendly service event.

Find Your Way to Give Back

There are plenty of ways to support Los Angeles organizations during the holidays. You can donate something already on your shopping list, spend a few hours volunteering, or choose a program that lets your family or friends participate together.

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