SAN DIEGO — It's the season of giving, and it's not too late to volunteer or donate this Thanksgiving, or start thinking ahead for the rest of the holidays.
Organizations across San Diego County are providing volunteer opportunities this holiday season for those looking to give back. One of those places is the San Diego Food Bank, which is passing out 14,000 turkeys this year.
"They're seeing those lines increase, and when we see those lines increase, it also means we need more volunteers," CEO Casey Castillo said. "Putting those bags and boxes together to get to hungry families."
You can check availability and sign up to volunteer at the food bank here.
San Diego Food Bank is also hosting its holiday food drive now through the end of December.
"You can visit any Albertsons, Vons or Pavilions throughout San Diego County," Castillo said. "You can buy items and place it in our famous red barrels at the front of the store or you can make a monetary donation at the cash register."
Giving Tuesday is next week and SD Food Bank will be matching donations.
"We'll have matching funds, 100,000 or potentially more, that you can give and have your donation, whether it's $1 or $5 have it matched," Castillo said.
If you want to be active, and proactive this Thanksgiving, you can still join Father Joe's Villages 5k for a limited time.
"I like to say that they can, they can burn off the calories even before they consume them," CEO and President Deacon Jim Vargas said.
Runners, walkers and supporters gather every year for this fun and charitable event.
"We hope Thanksgiving morning to raise about half a million dollars," Vargas said. "It's a lot of meals that we serve, so it helps to defray those costs, and it's a way of getting people involved."
You can always volunteer to serve meals at Father Joe's any day of the year. They need 75 volunteers per day to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at two dining rooms.
"It's just that this time of year, it can be a lonely time for the population we serve," Vargas said. "People feel isolated, they feel abandoned sometimes, and so it's an opportunity that we have in order to welcome them, because they're just our neighbors."
Sign up to volunteer at Father Joe's Villages here.
Up in Oceanside, there may be a few spots left to volunteer at the Salvation Army's Thanksgiving meal.
"They're packing all those things together, and then they're either greeting people once they come in, or they're helping people go and sit down," Director of Volunteers Adriana Thiele said.
Donate to Salvation Army's Thanksgiving here.
You can also join them in December to help sort toys or bell ring. There's about 92 locations throughout the County where volunteers can help collect money and spread holiday cheer.
"It's really fun, you get to be out there greeting people, wishing them Merry Christmas at the same time helping the Salvation Army," Thiele said.
Sign up to ring here.
Here's a few other organizations accepting volunteers or donations for the holidays: