Generosity and gratitude are linked to being happier. One of the best ways to cultivate those things in your life is to spend time volunteering. Here are 3 volunteer opportunities in the Los Angeles area.
1. One Incredible Family
One Incredible Family is just that–incredible. At this organization, people come together to prepare meals for local shelters. Volunteers are needed to help with cooking and transporting those meals. You can either help with preparing and cooking meals if you would like to limit interactions, or choose to help distribute the meals if you want to be interacting with the community. They have annual events in November that include all-day needs for volunteers. they need help with prep, cooking, assembly, delivery, serving and cleaning up. You can also choose to donate food items or necessities if you would like to instead. They are always in need of Thanksgiving food items such as turkeys, pies, canned goods, juices, and water. They also need things such as delivery vans. There are many ways you can help One Incredible Family.
2. Midnight Mission
Midnight Mission is located in downtown Los Angeles. It’s credited to be one of the best-run charity organizations in the city. They offer a plethora of services such as counseling, training, education, help with job placement, medical care, personal hygiene, food, and shelter. They work diligently to serve the city’s homeless population however they can. They hold special holiday events on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Around these times there is a particular need for volunteers. You can sign-up and apply to become a volunteer on their website. They also advise female volunteers to bring a friend with them to volunteer, due to the Midnight Mission being an all-male facility.
3. One Voice
One Voice provides a unique social service to a group of individuals who may be forgotten in their struggles. They provide emergency resources to families who are experiencing a crisis and to programs for low-income students. They have yearly holiday events where they distribute toys, books and food baskets to over 2,500 families who live in poverty in the Los Angeles area. In the week before the event, over 2,000 volunteers gather in order to prepare the food baskets and holiday gifts. They keep the atmosphere festive by playing holiday music and socializing.
Matthew Gorelik 