The holidays are a busy season for local nonprofits, with many organizations working to provide support to families in need. If you want to help, you have options beyond making a financial donation. Here are some local ways to give your time, resources, or skills this holiday season.
Sunshine Division
📍 2121 NW Front Ave, Portland, OR 97209
📅 Thanksgiving box delivery on Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunshine Division delivers a Thanksgiving meal box to the door of about 2,000 households in Portland and Gresham. Each box has a frozen turkey breast, the traditional sides, pantry staples, fresh produce and bread rolls. This is the third year they’ve run the delivery, and their two Free Food Markets stay open through Thanksgiving week.
The biggest need is drivers. They’re looking for more than 400 people to pick up boxes at Portland International Raceway and drop them off at homes, and driver sign-up is opening soon. You can also pack boxes ahead of time or bring non-perishable food, so it works for a one-morning commitment or a family outing.
Blanchet House
📍 310 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
📅 Meals served breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, year-round
Blanchet House serves free meals to anyone who comes in during meal hours, and runs Bethanie’s Room, a women’s shelter that’s open every night of the year. It was founded in 1952 by a group of University of Portland alumni.
Most volunteers serve meals and drinks in the cafe or sort donated clothing, and you pick your own shifts online after creating a profile. If you’d rather drop something off, Bethanie’s Room takes donations from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every night. The morning shelter shift is 18 and up, and there’s a separate sign-up for groups.
Oregon Food Bank
📍 7900 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211
📅 Volunteer shifts almost every day, year-round
Oregon Food Bank sorts and repacks donated food at its Portland warehouse and gets it out to partner pantries and meal sites. It has volunteer openings almost every day of the year, at the Portland site and a second one in Beaverton.
A shift means sorting and repacking food alongside other volunteers, and small groups and families are welcome. Everyone registers ahead of time, which makes it an easy one to plan with friends or coworkers.
Meals 4 Kids Toy Drive
📍 7710 SW 31st Ave, Portland, OR 97219
📅 Usually mid-November to mid-December, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Meals 4 Kids Toy Drive is run by Meals on Wheels People. Last year the toy drive reached more than 300 families and 750 kids.
Drop off new, unwrapped toys, family games or stocking stuffers at the Westside Resource Center. It’s a quick stop you can fit into regular errands, and picking out toys is something kids can help with.
Truckload of Coats
📍 Lloyd Center Safeway, 1100 NE Broadway, Portland, plus a few other drop-off spots listed on their website
📅 Check their website for this season’s dates.
Truckload of Coats is Transition Projects’ yearly drive to get warm gear to neighbors experiencing homelessness before the cold sets in.
They need adult-size winter coats, waterproof boots, gloves, hand warmers, sleeping bags and underwear, new or gently used. Socks aren’t needed. Cleaning out a closet is enough to help, and there’s an Amazon wish list if you’d rather order something new.
Give What Fits Your Capacity
You do not have to commit an entire weekend or spend a lot of money to help. A box of requested food items, a new toy, an hour of volunteer time, or a small donation can all support local holiday programs.
If your schedule is tight, look for a drop-off donation that you can add to your regular errands. If you have more time, consider a volunteer shift or family-friendly service event.
Find Your Way to Give Back
There are plenty of ways to support Portland organizations during the holidays. You can donate something already on your shopping list, spend a few hours volunteering, or choose a program that lets your family or friends participate together.
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