Giving Back in this Time of Thanks

If it wasn’t evident from the name of the holiday, Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks for what we have. In that vein, it’s also the perfect time to give back and spread that special feeling of gratitude.

DOROT, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the challenges of an aging population, will bring hundreds of older adults and volunteers together to share warmth and companionship via their Thanksgiving Meal Delivery. This year, you can sign up to deliver a festive holiday meal and connect with an older neighbor on Sunday, November 19. Once you register, you’ll pick up a meal and deliver it to an older adult you’re matched with, before connecting for a visit or a friendly phone call. Adults ages 18+ and families with children ages 10-17 are welcome to join for this commitment of about 90 minutes. There will be two pickup locations, one on the Upper West Side at DOROT (171 West 85th Street at Amsterdam Avenue) and one on the East Side at Central Synagogue (123 East 55th Street between Lexington and Park Avenue).

Goddard Riverside is organizing two free Thanksgiving dinners on November 23, and there are opportunities to volunteer at both of them. The first one is just steps outside the district at the Lincoln Square Older Adult Center (250 West 65th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and West End Avenue) beginning at 11:30am. Anyone is welcome to join for a meal, or you can learn how to volunteer at the event by calling Julian at 212-874-0860. If you or anyone you know would like a meal but cannot make it to the event, you can call the same number and ask for a social worker who can put in a request for delivery to your home.

Outside our district, the Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center (593 Columbus Avenue at 88th Street) will hold its Thanksgiving Dinner from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on November 23, though the line opens at 11:00am. Everyone who would like a meal is welcome. There is a one meal per person limit, and only indoor dining available. Volunteers are key to the success of this holiday meal, and while the Wednesday shifts are full, you can sign up to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day itself. There are multiple ways to help out in person, including meal and bag assembly, home delivery, dining room service, and clean up. Just fill out this form. If you can’t make it Thanksgiving Day, you can help out by donating food and supplies such as turkeys, wrapped utensils, bagged cookies, holidays, cards, and reusable bags. Read here for more details and drop-off instructions. Monetary donations are also extremely helpful and necessary. Goddard still needs many more donation to reach its $25,000 goal, so please considering donating here if you can.  

A little closer to home, at Project FIND's Hamilton Older Adult Center (141 West 73rd Street between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue), there will be a Thanksgiving Day shindig on November 23, with a special lunch menu and entertainment from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Anyone 60 years and older who lives in one of the five boroughs is welcome to attend but will need to pick up an entrance ticket in advance from Program Director Daniel Young at the Adult Center. If you'd like to call ahead or have any questions, you can reach him at 212-787-7710. Those 18 years and older interested in volunteering to serve the Thanksgiving meal from 12:00pm to 3:00pm can sign up online. There is also an opportunity for those 18 years and older to help deliver meals to elderly neighbors with Project FIND that morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

If you're looking for more ways to give back this holiday season, check out the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and New York Cares websites. 

Let’s make our community feel supported and remind them that we care and are grateful for them, too.

Photo Credit: DOROT