Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

The holiday season has begun. If you’re looking for a way to give back this season, we’ve rounded up some opportunities to volunteer or give items to those in need. 

Houston Food Bank  
535 Portwall St.
Houston, TX 77029
Contact: 713-223-3700 or [email protected]
The Houston Food Bank works to help the 1.1 million people struggling with food insecurity in 18 counties. Just last week, the food bank was forced to throw out about 1.8 million pounds of food due to an ammonia leak that contaminated its refrigerated areas. Help by donating money, food or volunteering. See more details here.  

Operation Turkey
Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Ln, Houston, TX 77042 
Weds., Nov. 27 (Turkey Tailgate), Thurs., Nov. 28 (Turkey Day)
Operation Turkey works to ensure everyone gets a warm meal on Thanksgiving Day. Help prepare, package and deliver food to those less fortunate on Thanksgiving. See details here.

Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving
First Presbyterian Church, North Parking Lot, 5300 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004
Thurs., Nov. 28 beginning at 9 a.m. for volunteers
Contact: 713-533-4954
Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving is an annual community -wide event hosted on Thanksgiving morning to help feed homebound seniors in the Houston area. Help deliver meals to homebound seniors and raise $65,000 to provide 13,000 meals to seniors in need this Thanksgiving and beyond. For every $5 you give or help fundraise, Meals on Wheels can provide one senior with a holiday meal. IM will also be collecting pet food for their Animeals program at the event. See more details about how to help.  

City Wide Club of America Super Feasts  
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010
Thurs., Nov. 28 and Tues., Dec. 24
Contact: 713-752-2582
City Wide Club of America holds a Super Feast annually on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Day at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where thousands are served with not only traditional hot nutritious meals but also clothing, household items, shoes, blankets, coats, jackets, flu shots, medical examinations, food baskets, haircuts, new toys, vehicles, and more. Register to volunteer here and see details about dropping off donations.

School's Out, Help Out!
Houston Food Bank
535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029 
Tues., Nov. 26, 12:30-4 p.m.
School’s Out, Help Out consists of five meaningful volunteer opportunities open for adults and kids. Registration is required and space is limited. School’s Out, Help Out is a partnership between the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and its Act Now and PJ Library initiatives, the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center and you. Sign up here.  

Toy drive at Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular  
Sat., Nov. 30, 5-8 p.m.
Hermann Square
900 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77007 
Contact: 832-393-0868
Ring in the season with the 100th Annual Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular downtown with a tree lighting, Santa and family fun. As part of the event, attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy benefiting Toys for Tots. 

Toy drive at Holiday in the Plaza at CityCentre  
800 Town & Country Blvd., Houston, TX 77024 
Sat., Nov. 30, 12-5 p.m.
Contact: 713-463-4692 or [email protected] 
Visit with Santa at CITYCENTRE during Holiday in the Plaza. Bring new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus in exchange for a complimentary picture with Santa. 

West U Fire Dept Sponsors Toys for Tots Collection  
Collection sites:
West U Fire Department & City Hall: 3800 University Blvd.
West U Senior Services: 6104 Auden
West U Rec Center: 4210 Bellaire Blvd.
Through Dec. 6, 5 p.m. 
Contact 713-668-4441
The City of West University Place has partnered with the United States Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas. Bring new, unwrapped presents to any of the collection sites through Dec. 6, 5 p.m.  

Leah Wright, Cully Bakht, Kim Byrd, Leslie Peacock, Hoyt Byrd, and Mark Byrd at the 2018 Boxes of Blessing event.

Christmas Boxes of Blessing  
Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 
3898 Distribution Blvd.
Contact: Contact: 713-892-5464 or [email protected]
Christ the King Presbyterian Church will host its fifth annual Christmas Boxes of Blessing on Dec. 7 at 3898 Distribution Blvd. Christmas Boxes of Blessing meets the need of families experiencing food insecurity at Christmas – a time when the absence of school-provided meals can present a challenge. There’s no need to pre-register to volunteer, and kids of all ages are welcome to help fill boxes with food; it’s recommended that children are age 3 or older. Or make a donation directly to Boxes of Blessing to help pay for the food in each box. To make a donation by mail, please make checks payable to Boxes of Blessing, include "Houston" on the memo line and mail to: Boxes of Blessing, 4300 Druid Lane, Dallas, TX 75205. 

City of Bellaire’s Stuff the Sleigh Holiday Toy Drive  
Through Dec. 9
Drop-off locations:
Bellaire City Hall: 7008 S Rice Ave.
Bellaire City Library: 5111 Jessamine St.
Bellaire Recreation Center: 7008 5th St.
Bellaire Fire Department: 5101 Jessamine St.
Contact: 713-662-8222
The City of Bellaire’s Holiday Toy Drive helps provide gifts to pediatric and hematology patients this holiday season. Donation guidelines: Please bring new toys only. Donations will be given to patients ages 0-20. Small, choking hazard items, toys with latex and stuffed animals will not be accepted. 

Christian Community Service Center’s Jingle Bell Express will benefit more than 2,500 children ages 0 to 15 and their families. Donate new and nonviolent unwrapped toys and books. All donations must be received by Dec. 11. (Photo courtesy of Christian Community Service Center)

Christian Community Service Center’s Jingle Bell Express 
3501 West Alabama, Suite 101, 77027
Through Dec. 11 
Contact: Cathy Brown, [email protected], 713-961-3993 x 215
Jingle Bell Express will benefit more than 2,500 children ages 0 to 15 and their families. The program addresses play, literacy and hunger by providing each family new toys, books and a grocery package. Donate new and nonviolent unwrapped toys and books. To support a child in need, see the Jingle Bell Express Wish List here. Or ship items directly to CCSC at 3501 West Alabama, Suite 101, 77027. CCSC asks that you consider using this shopping opportunity before Thanksgiving so that gifts will be delivered in time for the Dec. 13-14 Jingle Bell Express event. All donations must be received by Dec. 11; drop-offs are accepted through Dec. 11 as well. 

Houston Fire Department's Operation Stocking Stuffer Toy Drive  
Any Houston Fire Department station 
Through Dec. 17, 2019
Contact: Sheldra Brigham, 832-509-9984, [email protected]
Toys can be dropped off at any HFD Fire station through Dec. 17. The toy giveaway event will be held Dec. 21 at the New Light Christian Center located at 7317 E. Houston Road beginning at 8 a.m.

Salvation Army of Greater Houston - Angel Tree Program
1500 Austin St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Carmen Zermeño, 832-201-8018
Last year, Angel Tree Partners contributed nearly $900,000 in in-kind gifts for children and seniors registered through the Angel Tree program. Adopt an angel for this holiday season by filling out the online registration form. Your donated gifts will go directly to the specific child you select. See more details here. See additional ways you can help The Salvation Army here.  

Star of Hope Christmas Needs
Star of Hope Mission 
4848 Loop Central Dr., Suite 500, Houston, TX 77081 
By Dec. 14
Contact:  713-748-0700
On Christmas Day, Star of Hope Mission will house nearly 1,200 homeless men, women and children. Drop gifts to the Star of Hope by Dec. 14 to help. See a list of items and guidelines here.  

Help provide gifts and necessary items to families by participating in Family Houston's second annual Giving Wreath program. Pictured is Liz Green, VP of Development at Family Houston, with a wreath. (Photo courtesy of Family Houston)

Family Houston, Giving Wreath program 
4625 Lillian St., Houston, TX 77007
Contact: [email protected] or 713-867-7780
Through Dec. 20 (for drives); through Dec. 31 (online) 
Family Houston has served more than 6,500 individuals this year. Help provide gifts and necessary items to families by participating in the second annual Giving Wreath program. Host a drive by hanging a wreath or purchase a gift card. Find more details here.

Ronald McDonald House Houston, holiday cards
1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
Contact: [email protected]
Ronald McDonald House Houston offers a home away from home to families with ill children being treated in Texas Medical Center member institutions. This holiday season, give a special holiday card; the concept was created by a father-daughter team, both cancer survivors. For a minimum donation of $10.00 per card, a House elf will personalize, address, stamp and mail the holiday cards to everyone on your list. The card will let the recipient know that a donation was made in their honor to Ronald McDonald House Houston. All proceeds from the program benefit Ronald McDonald House families.

Editor’s Note: We’ll add to this list as we hear of more opportunities. Comment below or email [email protected] if you know of upcoming opportunities to volunteer or donate this holiday season.