6 Places Atlanta Families Can Volunteer Year-Round
by Angelica Kajiwara
Looking to give back this season? Sign up for one of these family-friendly volunteer opportunities in Atlanta
For many Atlanta families, the holiday season is about giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of those who need help the most. And not only is that great for our community, it’s great for kids too. That’s why we rounded up five local organizations that need your support more than ever. Whether you want to rescue a cat, make a craft, or deliver a meal, your family can sign up for volunteer opportunities around Atlanta with local nonprofit organizations and significantly impact the lives of those in need now.
Check out these kid-friendly volunteer opportunities Atlanta families can participate in year-round
Meals By Grace
When it comes to volunteer opportunities Atlanta families should know about, this one tops our list. This group meets weekly to create, prepare, and deliver hot, nutritious meals and additional food items to local families in need with limited or unreliable transportation. However, the first Sunday of the month is called "Kids in the Kitchen," an opportunity for children younger than 13 to participate in meal prep in the kitchen. Your crew can choose to participate in various service teams, from making laundry detergent to working in the kitchen. Be sure to bring $10 per volunteer to cover food costs.
Good to Know: Families can sign up to volunteer on the first Sunday of every month from 1-3 p.m.
Midway United Methodist Church 5025 Atlanta Hwy. Alpharetta, GA Online:mealsbygrace.org
Get involved with one of the only animal shelters in Georgia that welcomes children of all ages to volunteer in many capacities. The Cat Shelter and Headquarters in Cumming, GA, has about 200 cats living in a large, cage-free environment that feels more like a daycare center than an animal shelter. Your family can volunteer to help clean up and play with the cats. Or, you can get some excellent reading practice with their Read to Cats program. All ages are welcome to pick their favorite feline-friendly story to read to their new furry friends.
In the wake of the pandemic, nonprofit organizations in Atlanta need more volunteers than ever. With Hands On Atlanta, your family can volunteer to help beautify local parks or paint rundown buildings. But, it can be tough to coordinate schedules during the busy holiday season. Thankfully, this organization makes it easy to find the right fit for your family. The need is great right now, and there's an option for every family that wants to get involved.
From gardening to trail maintenance to virtual notes of encouragement, this organization has lots of volunteer opportunities Atlanta families can participate in. Pebble Tossers creates pathways for youth to engage in volunteerism to effect real change in our communities and to develop lifelong leadership skills. Their nonprofit partners are top in their areas of need and offer age-appropriate service projects for local families. Visit the online opportunities calendar and look for the options labeled "Family Friendly" or "Family fun" to get started volunteering today.
Families with new little ones trust this organization to help. Helping Mamas partners with more than 150 agencies in the Atlanta area to serve the immediate needs of parents in need. Their volunteer opportunities are open to anyone age 5 and older and include office tasks, shopping assignments, sorting donations, and making art and crafts for needy families.
