With the holidays quickly approaching, this is a time of reflection and gratitude. We would like to share some East Bay volunteer opportunities so the whole family can participate.

 

Families can donate excess Halloween candy to support a good cause. Kids may even earn buyback prizes for their generosity, and families will receive a tax-deductible receipt for their donations. Help at any time by making candy bags to send to Soldiers’ Angels, which provides aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.

 

Most candy collection sites host their collections starting on November 1 and run through the first weeks of November. If there are no collection sites near you, please ship your completed baggies of candy to their headquarters in San Antonio:

 

Soldiers’ Angels Candy

 

2895 NE Loop 410, Suite 107

 

San Antonio, Texas 78218

 

Learn more at Soldiers' Angels Website.

 

There are all kinds of projects in which the whole family can participate. Project Peace’s Day of Service connects East Bay faith-based groups and community members with schools and nonprofits.

 

Their next Day of Service is as follows:

 

• Location: Various locations throughout Berkeley and Oakland

• Ages: For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult)

• Time Commitment: Three hours (less is OK, too)

Typical activities include landscaping, book sorting, cleaning, organizing, painting, bringing donated items per social service provider requests and more. Visit the website to register and for more information: Project Peace East Bay Website.

 

Through resource distribution and advocacy, the East Oakland Collective supports residents of East Oakland, prioritizing Black residents, in navigating challenges and barriers to inequities. Volunteer to prepare and distribute groceries (meat, dairy, produce, shelf stable goods), sanitation, hygiene and household supplies.

 

• Date/Time: Tuesday and Thursday 11 am

• Location: East Oakland Collective Office at 7800 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland

• Ages: The event is family-friendly; children of all ages are welcome to attend with their parent(s) or guardian

• First come, first served. Register on site.

Contact them at [email protected]. Visit the website for more information: East Oakland Collective Website.

 

Founded in 1977, the Alameda Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that helps the Alameda community by providing nourishing food to those in need in a compassionate and respectful manner with the support of dedicated volunteers and local partners.

 

• Date/Time: Drop off Tuesdays, 9a.-3pm

• Location: 650 W Ranger Avenue on Alameda Point

• Their preferred ongoing needed items: Cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, coffee, tea, condiments (ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc.), spices, soup, ramen, crackers, international foods and diapers

Click here to learn more about the Alameda Food Bank.

 

Our furry friends need help as well, from dog walking to handing out free food to hungry pets. There are various ways to participate at these animal shelters:

 

• East Bay SPCA Oakland Adoption Center

• Berkeley Humane

• Berkeley Animal Shelter

You can volunteer at your favorite local park in a myriad of ways. Volunteer in trail maintenance, shoreline cleanup, habitat restoration or volunteer as a docent, trail safety member, or an Ambassador. Visit the website to learn more and get involved.

 

While it might be a challenge to coordinate everyone’s schedules, volunteering as a family has many worthwhile benefits. Children watch everything you do, and by giving back to the community, you show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help other people and animals and enact change. It’s also a valuable way to get to know organizations in the community and find resources and activities for your children and family.

 

If you are looking for ways to contribute or volunteer other than listed above, the California Volunteers website is a good place to start.