The holidays are a perfect time of year to get involved in your local community. San Diego County presents many opportunities for people to volunteer their time and services to the homeless or those less fortunate. Don't have the time to volunteer? Donate gently used clothing, blankets, or money to a local charity. We bring our children to serve the homeless in different areas of San Diego County including Ocean Beach and Downtown. The true value of giving back can only be realized by showing up in-person to experience the joy of giving. The homeless count for November 2022 totaled over 1,700 in Downtown San Diego alone.
Alexander and Amy Pfleger volunteered at Ladle Fellowship in downtown San Diego on December 18th, 2022. The weather has been dipping into the 40's at night. This makes for a cold night for people living on the streets. Over 140 homeless men and women piled into First Presbyterian Ladle Fellowship on Date St. to enjoy Sunday service and a meal.
We arrived at 1:00 p.m., checked in, and were directed to the kitchen to dish up soup. Starting at 2:30 p.m. people were let in to grab a meal, which included soup, salad, fruit, and a cookie. The smiles and thank you's were plentiful. There was enough food for seconds and it truly warmed our hearts to see people getting much needed food and supplies. The cost of living, gas prices, and inflation have forced many out of their homes and vehicles.
It can be difficult to carve out time to volunteer, but Hands On San Diego has made it easy. Simply visit the website, enter a keyword and your zip code, then hit search. Find volunteer opportunities based on age, location, or impact area. The signup process is easy. Membership options are available for individuals, families, and groups to access the calendar, manage a team, and track service hours.
According to a University of San Diego study, the main questions people have about volunteering are, “Does it fit my schedule? Is it something I care about? How long do I have to volunteer? and Is it convenient for me?” Ready to get involved?
Ten Volunteer Opportunities in San Diego (Sign up on HandsOnSanDiego.org)
- Distribute Clothing and Hygiene Items - Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) | http://www.tacosd.org. - Serve as a personal shopper so 50-70 individuals can receive fresh clothing each week. While you're distributing clothing items, Third Avenue Charitable Organization (T.A.C.O) will also be serving breakfast and distributing snack bags to their clients.
- Mobile Showers for Homeless Folks in Downtown Think Dignity | http://www.thinkdignity.org/
- The Fresh Start Showers program--the largest program in Think Dignity's line of Mobile Operations of Dignity (MOD) Squad services--travels throughout San Diego County to provide access to basic hygiene services for those experiencing homelessness. - Dinner Service at PATH Connections Housing PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) | http://www.epath.org
- Join PATH San Diego and Urban Angels to help serve healthy and delicious meals to their 134 residents. - Serve Lunch at Golden Hall Father Joe's Villages | https://my.neighbor.org/
- Ensure that all eligible clients and residents have the opportunity to eat sufficient and nutritious meals by assisting in the meal service at Father Joe's Villages' Golden Hall. - Food Pantry Volunteer in Downtown The Salvation Army | https://sandiego.salvationarmy.org/san_diego2/
- Help The Salvation Army distribute as much food as possible to clients in need. This is a great opportunity to do good in your community. - Tutor Students in a Variety of Subjects and Grades Barrio Logan College Institute | https://blci.org/
- Help the students that Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) serves be academically successful! - Lucky Duck Meal Distribution Lucky Duck Foundation | https://www.luckyduckfoundation.org/
- Help distribute food and water to about 75 unsheltered homeless individuals in downtown San Diego. - Meal Delivery for Seniors in Hillcrest Meals on Wheels San Diego County | https://www.meals-on-wheels.org/
- Volunteers delivering meals allows Meals on Wheels San Diego County's seniors to remain independent by providing nutritious meals and critical safety checks. - Phone/Office Support for Mama's Kitchen Mama's Kitchen | https://www.mamaskitchen.org/
- Mama’s Kitchen strives to provide nutritional support to San Diego residents at risk of malnutrition due to critical illnesses such as HIV, cancer, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. - Sort & Organize Donations for Refugees Christ Ministry Center | http://cummc.org
- Christ Ministry Center provides long-term support and housing in their 6 apartment buildings for refugees from 27 countries including Haiti, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.