1. Feed My Starving Children – Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving Mobile Pack

This Thanksgiving, kids over the age of 5 with an adult are invited to volunteer and help pack Thanksgiving meals for local families. The Thanksgiving mobile pack will take place on November 18-19th in Oak Brook as well as December 1-3 in Arlington Heights. Invite your friends and family to participate in this great cause. Groups of 10 will be placed together at a packing station. 

In addition to the Thanksgiving event, there are also year-round permanent facilities in need of packing help for weekly meals for families. Children over the age of 5 are welcome to attend with an adult volunteer. The meals you pack will be shipped and delivered to families most in need. 

2. Greater Chicago Food Depository - Kids Days

The Greater Chicago Food Depository (4100 W Ann Lurie Place) in Chicago is looking for volunteers to repack meals for those in need. Because much of the food they receive is in bulk, children over the age of 11 are invited to help separate and sort items. One adult must be present with children volunteers. Kids over the age of 16 are welcome without an adult. On their calendar page, you’ll also note holiday-themed re-pack dates, kid re-pack days, and special kids’ events for groups with younger kids. The next Kids Day will be December 10, 2022. 

 
Volunteering in Chicago at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Photo courtesy of the Greater Chicago Food Depository

3. Collect Toys for Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center

The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center gives thousands of gifts to kids in need every holiday season. This year, consider hosting a toy drive with your family, friends, or school. The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center offers a Toy Drive Flyer you can download and share to host a drive of your own. 

At your Thanksgiving and holiday party this year, get the kids involved by having everyone bring new, unwrapped toys to your home. Toys off their Amazon and Target wish lists are also provided for direct donation. Any toys your kids and their friends collect can be dropped off in person at the center (1240 S. Damen Avenue) in Chicago. 

4. Common Pantry - Holiday Drive

The Common Pantry invites kids to spread a little holiday cheer this year by helping with their annual holiday drive. At the Common Food Pantry (3744 N. Damen) in Chicago you can donate Target or Walmart gift cards or collect new board and picture books for kids. Donations can be dropped off at the pantry Monday-Thursday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, or  Wednesday, 6-8pm. Please give them to a Pantry staff member only! Now through December 7th.

Their Common Kids program also gives kids the chance to raise money for Common Pantry through lemonade sales in the summer months and their back-to-school drive in the fall. 

 
Young volunteers at the Common Kids Program, photo courtesy of Common Pantry

5. People’s Resource Center - Grocery Packing

Kids over the age of 13 are invited to volunteer with the People’s Resource Center (201 S. Naperville Road) in Wheaton. You and your family can help pack food boxes for those in need. Families of 4 are welcome to sign up as a group. Larger families may split into multiple groups. You can also sign up to deliver pre-packed boxes. Boxes are placed in your car, and you’ll help deliver food bags and boxes to those who need them most. 

The People’s Resource Center will also be hosting its 2022 Share the Spirit event. 700 local families will be able to drive through the DuPage County Fairgrounds to receive gifts and gift cards. Donations are accepted to collect hats, games, books, and more. 

6. My Block My Hood My City  - Be a Part of the Light

My Block My Hood My City is hosting a series of holiday, Be a Part of the Light events this December. Volunteers are needed to help decorate, distribute hot cocoa, and more. There will be two events taking place on December 3rd and December 10th at 8350 S. King Dr. Chicago, IL 60619. Kids are welcome to volunteer with their parents. 

 
Volunteer in Chicago at a Be a Part of the Light event. Photo courtesy of My Block My Hood My City.

7. Lakeview Food Pantry

The Lakeview Food Pantry has volunteer opportunities for kids as young as 9 with a parent or guardian. Teens over the age of 16 are welcome to come without a parent. Register as a family to help pack food boxes, distribute food, and participate in holiday events. 

For younger volunteers, they have a kids advisory committee for children ages 5-13 who want to make a difference in their community. Parents can attend meetings with their kids and discuss upcoming events and ways to fight hunger in our neighborhoods. 

 
Members of the Kids Advisory Council organize toy donations. Photo courtesy of Nourishing Hope, formerly Lakeview Food Pantry

8. Ronald McDonald House Charities – Meals from the Heart

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Meals from the Heart program offers families staying at the Ronald McDonald House freshly prepared meals. With the stress of caring for their young children often undergoing treatments and hospital care, it is almost impossible for them to enjoy a home-cooked meal together. Through this program, up to 4 volunteers are able to shop for, cook, and prepare a meal for a family in the fully equipped Ronald McDonald House kitchen. This is a great opportunity for families with teens who love to cook. 

 
All volunteers must be over 16 to participate at this Chicago volunteering opportunity - photo courtesy of Meals from the Heart program, at the Ronald McDonald House

9. Northern Illinois Food Bank

The Northern Illinois Food Bank is in need of volunteers to help pack, sort, and distribute food to families in their communities. Kids as young as 8 are welcome to volunteer with a parent or guardian. Groups and families are welcome as long as there is one adult per group of 4 kids ages 8-12 and one adult per group of 10 kids ages 12-15. No adult is needed for teens over 16. There are several pantry locations, pop-up markets, and mobile pantries to choose from across Chicagoland. 

10. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is always looking for teens to volunteer their time. From fundraising to helping with blood drives, there is no shortage of opportunities for teens to help out with the American Red Cross this holiday season. There are also virtual and at-home opportunities for more behind-the-scenes help. To apply for a position or to sign up as a teen volunteer, visit their website for the full list of opportunities.