BY Ethan Young
With additional reporting by Erinda Sheno and Navya Nair
Nov. 25, 2024
And just like that: Thanksgiving is here. No matter how thankful (or otherwise) you’re feeling lately, you’ll certainly feel even better by sharing what you can with community members in need. This Thanksgiving, do a mitzvah: Take advantage of opportunities to do more good.
Whatever your age, budget, time frame, or mind frame, here are some ways to create Philly traditions that support our neighbors.
Figure: A CityTeam volunteer with a box full of turkey.
While U.S. inflation is very steadily slowing down, food prices are still at above historical average rates. So when you pick up your turkey, consider picking up an extra to donate and drop off at the Kimmel Center on November 26 from 7 to 11am, during the big, fun 102.9 WMGK and CityTeam’s 23rd annual Turkey Drop. The Kimmel collects donations. Can’t make it to Center City? Drop a bird at one of 12 ACME markets instead from 7 to 11am — or donate online.
Figure: Setting up a refrigerator. Photo via Germantown Community Fridge
Donating to a community fridge is a helpful thing to do year-round — and can be especially impactful during the holidays.
Jane Ellis, founder of the Germantown Community Fridge and teacher at Greene Street Friends School, requests that leading up to Thanksgiving, community members donate perishable and non-perishable items similar to what you might see at your dinner table. Think stuffing, mashed potatoes, (frozen) turkeys, and more. Traditional donations of canned foods and produce are always helpful, too.
Find your local community fridge here. In addition to dropping off food, consider volunteering to help clean a fridge. And remember to check a fridge’s website or Instagram page for information on what can and can not be donated.
Thanksgiving Day — November 28 — turkey trots take place all over the place. But they’re more than just a way to burn some calories before you stuff your face — more, even, a good way to commune with fellow runners / walkers on a crisp fall morning.
These events also raise money for good, local causes. The Wissahickon hosts its PHLY Turkey Trot, a chill 5K / 1-mile walk at 9am to benefit Face to Face Germantown, which offers a variety of programs for people experiencing homelessness. (Registration costs $28-$44.) The Navy Yard’s brand-new Gobble Wobble at 8:30am (like those in Abington and Havertown) benefits a local YMCA — in Philly’s case, the Christian Street Y — ($30 for kids; $45 for adults; with group discounts).
Figure: Volunteers at Rock Ministries on Thanksgiving Day.
There are many wonderful organizations doing their best to make sure as many Philadelphians as possible are able to enjoy a hot meal this Thanksgiving — and they need some helping hands.
MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance) is looking for help getting more than 1,800 traditional turkey dinners ready to deliver to clients in time for the holiday. Volunteers can sign up to cut veggies, pack stuffing, etc., at their Franklintown HQ this week through November 27 between 9am and 4pm. Go to MANNA’s volunteer page for more information.
Kensington’s Rock Ministries hosts their annual Thanksgiving community meal, November 28 from noon to 4pm, with volunteer shifts from 10:45am to 5pm. (Register here.) You can also contribute to the meal by donating desserts, bottled water, serving trays and to-go containers.
Figure: Photo by Clem Onojeghuo / Unsplash
Unable to volunteer in person, but still want to do your part for the big meal? Philly House — formerly known as Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, the longest running shelter for men in the city — is asking for monetary donations during their annual Prepare a Plate drive, which raises funds to feed hundreds on Thanksgiving Day.
And consider contacting a food bank near you to see if they’re in need of volunteers. This guide from Philabundance is a great resource for finding local organizations you can support.
Got unused, unopened food after the big meal? Schedule a food pickup with Philly Food Rescue of Share Food Program, which fights food insecurity and waste by distributing food through its expansive network of local nonprofits, after-school centers, and food pantries. Learn more about becoming a food donor, what you can donate, and scheduling a pickup with Philly Food Rescue by downloading their app.
Figure: Photo by Russell Watkins via Department for International Development Flickr
If recent news has you feeling like you’d like to do something for folks and families who are new to the U.S., check out how you can pitch in at the Nationalities Service Center, which provides all manner of services and support to immigrants and refugees. One way you can welcome these new neighbors? Order items from the Center’s Amazon wishlist, including these hygiene items.
Holidays can be an especially isolating time for those in assisted living facilities. Find a nearby facility (this state-run directory is a great start; here are facilities in Philadelphia), address your letters to ‘any resident,’ then get started writing cards or having kids make colorful artwork.
Your in-laws may drive you nuts; your siblings may be a lot to handle; let’s not even get started on your aunt and uncle, but spending time with friends and family can mean more to them than you’ll ever know, especially over the holidays.
On the other hand, no two families are alike, and it’s completely, 100 percent fine — mentally healthy and entirely mature, even — to restrict yourself to spending little to no time with folks who bring you down, no matter how close your DNA match. Alleviate the natural guilt that sometimes comes with preserving your own sanity by sending cards, making calls or even texting someone whom you care about, no matter what.
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