Spread Some HOLIDAY Cheer

Various volunteer opportunities are offered locally during December

The holiday season can be one filled with family time, happiness, and excitement. For those less fortunate, however, the holidays can be a time of stress and sadness. Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food pantry and donating gifts or winter coats to establishments in the Cincinnati area can help those in need. These establishments include the Salvation Army, several St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores, and the Inter Parish Ministry Food Pantry. 

Angel Trees

Angel Trees are offered in most cities in America through the Salvation Army. This year, Walmart is hosting trees in its stores. Each Angel Tree tag highlights one person’s Christmas needs and wishes. Most tags are for children, but adults and senior citizens are also shopped for. Gifts can be purchased in-store and taken back to Walmart or the Salvation Army, or they can be purchased online and directly shipped to the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army then distributes all of the gift bags. Last year, over 213,056 individuals were helped. 

St. Francis Seraph Ministries

The St. Francis Seraph Ministries offers several community service opportunities, including serving breakfast or dinner at the Ministries and foot care. On Monday through Friday in December, volunteers can sign up to package and distribute meals, work in the bag check, clean the Dining Room and Lobby, and organize the pantry from 6:45 am to 9:00 am. There are 12 spots per session, and those interested can sign up here. Dinner is also being served at the Ministries from 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday through Friday. Volunteers will complete the same tasks as done during the breakfast opportunity and must adhere to the same rules. Use this link to sign up; there are twenty spots available per session. In addition, the St. Francis Seraph Ministries offers the opportunity to provide foot care, foot massages, and new socks and shoes to the homeless and working poor in the Greater Cincinnati area on Tuesdays during December from 3:45 pm to 6:15 pm. Volunteers must be 18 or older and must go through training before volunteering for the first time. There are only six openings per session. Use this link to sign up.

St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul offers volunteer opportunities at food pantries, thrift stores, and hosts a winter coat drive. They work with the Catino Choice Food Drive, and volunteers stock shelves and sort donations. Participants must be over 14, and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There are three sessions per day between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm on most Mondays through Saturdays in December. Sign up to volunteer here. There are two-hour shifts every day in December to sort donations, create displays, and straighten and stock shelves and racks at various thrift store locations. Those volunteering must be approved by a volunteer coordinator. Email volunteers@svdpcincinnati.org to receive approval. Use this link to sign up once approved. Every winter, St. Vincent de Paul organizes a coat drive to receive winter coats, mittens, and scarves. Winter gear can be taken to any Greater Cincinnati St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Community groups, businesses, and individuals are permitted to host their own coat drive through St. Vincent de Paul. To host a coat drive, use this link. 

Easley Blessed Foundation

Every year, the Easley Blessed Foundation runs the My Santa Claus Event to help children from all backgrounds experience the magic of Christmas. This year, the event takes place on Saturday, December 20, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Volunteers for this event can be Santa, can design and create sets, and can set up on Friday or Saturday. To sign up to volunteer, use this link. Additionally, the Foundation hosts a toy and book donation. Bring any donations to 4507 West 8th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238. 

Inter Parish Ministry Food Pantry

The IPM offers numerous ways to be involved in its food pantry. Some of the opportunities include welcoming and assisting shoppers, organizing and gathering food items, organizing donation shelves, packaging food into meal kits and emergency boxes, and assisting clients with choosing toys. Donations can be brought into the IPM Food Pantry at any time. The volunteer hours are 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesdays, and 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Fridays. To apply, use this link.

Wise Temple Christmas Day Dinner

On December 25, Wise Temple is hosting a Christmas dinner to serve a festive meal to those in need in Northern Kentucky. The dinner runs from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. There are only 20 spots, and volunteers must be registered by December 23. 

Additionally, the Community of Good Shepard, SPCA Cincinnati, Casa de Paz Cincinnati, Serve City, The Salvation Army, and Findlay Market host community service opportunities during the winter and throughout the entire year. 

For those who want to give back to the community this holiday season, there are several foundations, ministries, food pantries, and thrift stores located throughout the greater Cincinnati area to spend some time volunteering.