Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
How to Volunteer in L.A. This Holiday Season (and Beyond)
"I need a home" by K.T. via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr.
()
Don't despair if this holiday season has you saying "Bah! Humbug!" Our great city provides plenty of chances to connect with others and make a difference, especially during a season that has been so difficult for many. These volunteer opportunities are sure keep you busy, warm your heart, and make the day of somebody who truly needs your help.
HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Take advantage of your time off from work to help L.A.'s underprivileged population.
The Send Me A Penny Foundation will host Christmas in Venice on December 25. Angelenos will have the opportunity to cook a holiday dinner for area homeless. The event starts at 8 a.m. with an orientation meeting at 7 a.m. Kids are welcome!
Support for LAist comes from
The Los Angeles Mission has a long and storied history of volunteerism here in LA. Every December, scores of families line up all along Skid Row outside downtown to be fed by the wonderful efforts carried out by the Mission's volunteers. You can get in touch with them here.
The Hollywood Food Pantry at Hollywood Lutheran Church (1733 N. New Hampshire Avenue) is open for donations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday. The pantry is in need of nonperishable food, toiletries and even office supplies and gift cards.
One Voice might as well be considered a full-blown chorus of volunteer activity beginning this Thursday, December 20th. The organization provides holiday food baskets for 12,500 plus people every holiday season. Get acquainted with their holiday volunteer services here!
The Midnight Mission is collecting toys for destitute and homeless children, ages 1 month to 17 years, through December 22. The toys will be presented at the Mission's Santa's Village on Christmas days. If your office or organization is interested in participating, contact the Midnight Mission.
Union Station Homeless Services is no longer accepting volunteers for this year's holiday dinner; however, they are always in need of monetary donations to pay for food and supplies. You can make an easy, tax-deductible $10 donation here, or you can donate $5 via text.
AID FOR VICTIMS OF RECENT TRAGEDIES
Our hearts are broken after the horrible events that have recently happened in Connecticut and New York, but we can still help from the opposite coast.
Support for LAist comes from
The Newtown Parent Connection and Newtown Youth and Family Services are collecting donations for Sandy Hook shooting victims' families. Visit the organizations' websites for information on how to donate.
Our colleagues at Gothamist provided this excellent post for information about donating to the victims of hurricane Sandy.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteering for the holidays is great, but ongoing service is better! Many L.A. charities are in constant need of volunteers. The following organizations are always looking for help:
The St. Joseph Center, who help the homeless population get back on their feet. Learn the steps to register as a volunteer here.
826LA, a literacy and writing program that has ongoing, periodic volunteer recruitment. Check the website's calendar for details. (Background check required.)
The Westside Food Bank, a non-profit dedicated to providing food to social service agencies for distribute L.A.'s underprivileged population. Contact them <="" a=""> for more information on volunteering.
Support for LAist comes from
<="" a=""><="" a="">Big Sunday, a huge community-service organization with programs for all ages. Check their calendar for a date when volunteers are needed.
The Downtown Women's Center, dedicated to ending female homelessness. View their volunteer application process here.
Meals on Wheels, a group that allows volunteers act as drivers who provide meals to elderly and ill folks who can't leave their homes to buy groceries. (A background check, provided by Meals on Wheels, is required to volunteer.)
These groups are just a start: you can browse many more opportunities at L.A. Works or Volunteer Match.
Our list is far from comprehensive. If any philanthropic readers know of other opportunities this holiday season, please e-mail with info, or leave suggestions in the comments.
LAist's Sam Blum contributed to this post.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist