Eight Ways to Donate and Volunteer in Denver This Thanksgiving

Part of being thankful for what you have is recognizing how hard life can be for others. As Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season nears, there are plenty of ways to give back through local food banks, turkey drives and free dinners for those in need.

Whether you donate money, food or your time as a volunteer, it all helps these eight Denver pantries and food drives.

Denver Rescue Mission
The Denver Rescue Mission wants to donate 15,000 turkeys to those in need this year, including 3,000 Thanksgiving Banquet-in-a-Box meals and thousands of meals throughout the rest of the holiday season. To help the Mission's goal for  collecting frozen turkeys and canned non-perishable sides, you can attend a turkey drive at Red Rocks Church, 9995 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, or visit two drop-off locations in Denver. On top of frozen turkeys, the Rescue Mission is seeking boxed mashed potatoes and stuffing as well as canned yams, fruit, pumpkin, gravy, cranberry sauce and other vegetables. You can also donate money for the Mission to buy food, or start a turkey drive of your own with its help.

Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way is asking for help in making Thanksgiving baskets for families and households. Each basket of Thanksgiving sides, ingredients and grocery store gift cards costs about $75, according to the organization. Donate funds or food items at United Way's Denver outpost, 711 Park Avenue West.

Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies and the Adams County Sheriff's Office are holding the twentieth annual Operation Freebird for households in need on Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mountain States Toyota, 201 West 70th Avenue.
Each household in attendance receives a Thanksgiving food box and has the option to receive free dental screenings, flu shots, mental health resources, veteran services, assistance with housing and food, and more. Want to help the effort? You can donate money, food and your time and services as a volunteer to the Food Bank of the Rockies, and food industry members can partner with the food bank for larger donations, as well.

Ms. Betty’s Harvest Madsgiving
Chefs Danielle and Tajahi Cooke have served almost 60,000 meals on Thanksgiving over the last five years, and the founders of Ms. Betty's Cooking are stepping up again this season with plans to provide up to 20,000 meals. They can't do it without money and extra hands, though. You can donate to the Cookes' GoFundMe page for Madsgiving, or fill out a volunteer questionnaire to help prep, cook and deliver meals. The Cookes estimate they'll need around $25,000 to reach 20,000 people this year.

African Community Center's Refugee First Thanksgiving
Held at the Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral (4610 East Alameda Avenue) by the African Community Center, the 19th annual Refugee First Thanksgiving will take place on Monday, November 25, with dinner shifts from 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Those who sign up for a ticket will receive a free Thanksgiving dinner — a mix of traditional and globally inspired dishes — as well as free hygiene care bags and toiletries. There will also be live music, dancing, kids' activities and more. You can donate to the ACC's Thanksgiving effort on the event's Eventbrite listing or on the organization's website, or by donating a hygiene care bag. Anyone who wants to volunteer to work the event must sign up first.

Dorinda Levy Thanksgiving Fund
A partnership between Jewish Family Service, the Weinberg Food Pantry and the Dorinda Levy Thanksgiving Fund is providing Thanksgiving boxes for families and households that include a turkey, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie ingredients, milk and eggs. You can donate money to the Thanksgiving Fund ($100 will provide a meal for a family of four) or give non-perishable food and holiday toys and gifts for children to the food bank.

Project Angel Heart's Gobble Gobble Give
A Denver-based organization that delivers medically tailored meals to people suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDs and other debilitating illnesses, Project Angel Heart is getting ready for its largest-ever delivery on Wednesday, November 27. Project Angel Heart is trying to raise $50,000 to reach its goal this year, and you can help by donating at the Gobble Gobble Give page.

Community Ministry Food Bank
A self-shopping food pantry, the Community Ministry Food Bank, at 1755 South Zuni Street, puts together holiday food boxes for those who register in advance, with pickups occurring on the Monday before Thanksgiving and Christmas (you can only receive one box per year). The boxes include canned fruits and vegetables, potatoes, stuffing, pie/cake mixes and meat or a gift card to purchase protein. You can donate to the food bank or learn more about hosting a drive or volunteer at the Community Ministry on the organization's website.

Do you know of other worthy ways to give time or money this holiday season? Send information to [email protected].