15 places to volunteer this holiday season

By Metro Times Staff

Sometimes the best way to get into a festive spirit is to spread joy by giving back to your community. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get involved in local efforts to feed the hungry, help the homeless, and find animals a loving home. Don't have time to volunteer? You can always consider donating food or money to these organizations.

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Alternatives for Girls

903 W. Grand Blvd.,Detroit; 313-361-4000
Alternatives for Girls helps homeless and high risk young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation. There are many ways to help volunteer at Alternatives for Girls — volunteers are able to help out with fundraising events, the crisis resource center, and street outreach that provides help in the form of warm clothes, food, and harm-reduction kits.
Photo via Instagram user@drwcommunity

The Baldwin Center

212 Baldwin Ave., Pontiac; 248-332-6101
The Baldwin Center is a nonprofit that has been feeding, clothing, and educating disadvantaged men, women, and children since 1981 — no charge and no questions. Breakfast for the Homeless is Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7:30 a.m., lunch is Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. and the Clothes Closet is open Monday 8 a.m.-11 a.m., plus Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m.-noon. Prospective volunteers can contact Lori White via [email protected]
Photo via Instagram user@stephenjamesmc

Blessed Hope Church

3804 Hazel Ave., Lincoln Park; 313-388-1499
The Blessed Hope Church is dedicated to serving the community seven days a week. Their food pantry is open three days a week to those who need food assistance and also serves hot meals Monday through Friday and Sunday. The Blessed Hope Church also accepts all kinds of donations.
Photo via Instagram user@broadwayboy81

Capuchin Soup Kitchen

1820 Mount Elliot St., Detroit; 313-579-2100
Feeding bodies, nourishing spirits, and strengthening communities is what the Capuchin Soup Kitchen is all about and they serve full-course meals to those in need. A portion of the food is donated, but most of the meal is purchased directly from Michigan producers.
Photo via Instagram user@supvinnie

COTS Detroit

26 Peterboro., Detroit; 313-831-3777
COTS, Coalition On Temporary Shelter, is committed to sheltering the most vulnerable in the community. Volunteers are needed to assist the kitchen staff and maintaining the clothing closet. Volunteers are the backbone of COTS Detroit and are welcome to volunteer at any given time.
Photo via Instagram user@marionotluigi

Crossroads of Michigan

2424 W Grand Blvd, Detroit; 313-831-2787
Crossroads is a social service outreach agency that provides emergency assistance, advocacy and counseling. Founded in 1971, they work with the people seeking help to assess their situation, address needs, and come up with ways to prevent the likelihood of more problems in the future. 113 volunteers made a huge impact at Crossroads in 2016 and they’re ready to see more this year.
Photo via Instagram user@crossroadsofmi

Detroit Dog Rescue

St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014
Detroit Dog Rescue is aiming to create a state-of-the-art animal center in Detroit. With limited funding for humane animal rescue operations, Detroit Dog Rescue is a dedicated group looking to make a difference. If you’re looking to help man’s best friend, this is the perfect place to volunteer.
Photo via the Detroit Dog Rescue Facebook page

Fish & Loaves

25670 Northline Rd., Taylor; 736-442-0031
Whether you are seeking assistance or looking to help others in need, Fish and Loaves welcomes all. Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry works together with the community to provide food assistance to local families in need. Their volunteer training sessions are every Monday and Thursday mornings at the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, 11:30 am.
Photo via Instagram user@fishandloaves

Focus: Hope

1200 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit; 313-494-5500
As a result of the 1967 uprising, Focus: Hope was put into place to make sure that all people lived in a community where freedom, harmony, trust and affection flourished. With various youth outreach and neighborhood programs, volunteers can join the company in their endeavor to revitalize communities.
Photo via Focus: Hope’sFacebook page

Forgotten Harvest

21800 Greenfield Road, Oak Park; 248-967-1500
The Forgotten Harvest’s mission is to relieve hunger and prevent food waste in metro Detroit. Formed in 1990, the company has service areas across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties. Shifts for the warehouse volunteer crew are; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Photo via Forgotten Harvest’sFacebook page