17 ways to volunteer + give back this holiday season

Reviewed by: Patience Itson

Reading time: 8 minutes

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Meals on Wheels volunteer
Volunteer with Meals on Wheels and help serve seniors across Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

No matter what you celebrate, the holiday season is one of the best times to support local nonprofits, spread joy and make a difference in the Birmingham community. Whether you’re looking for a hands-on volunteer shift, a family-friendly service project or a simple way to donate items to neighbors in need, there are no shortage of opportunities to give back before the new year!

From serving Thanksgiving meals and assembling gift baskets to toy drives and senior outreach programs, here are 14 ways (in chronological order) you can bring some holiday cheer to those who need it most in Birmingham:

1. Birmingham Police Department Holiday Toy Drive

Birmingham Police Department Toy Drive flyer: "Please Give a Little Joy to Our Local Children," October 26 through December 14
(Birmingham Police Department)

Help make a child’s holiday season bright by donating a new, unwrapped toy through the Birmingham Police Department’s annual toy drive.

  • Opportunity type: Donation
  • When: Through Monday, Dec. 14, 2026
  • Where: Various drop off locations at local precincts throughout the Birmingham area
  • How to participate: Purchase a new, unwrapped toy and drop it off at any designated collection site. No registration required.
  • Website | Facebook

2. Northeast YMCA Food Box Distribution

Volunteers, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, RealtySouth
Packing boxes at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Join the YMCA of Greater Birmingham and Community Food Bank partners to help combat food insecurity by preparing and distributing food boxes to area families.

3. ThanksVegan Potluck + Canned Food Drive

This community gathering combines a vegan Thanksgiving potluck with a canned food drive benefiting Greater Birmingham Ministries. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to celebrate while helping feed local families.

4. The Salvation Army’s Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon

Spend Thanksgiving Day serving meals and connecting with community members through The Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

5. Friendsgiving Food + Toy Drive with The Breadbox + All Good Beverage Co

Come out of your turkey coma and end your Black Friday shopping spree with some live music, all while supporting local families through food and toy donations. Plus, donors are entered into prize raffles throughout the event.

6. Thanksgiving Meal Delivery + Holiday Gift Bag Assembly with Jimmie Hale Mission

Jimmie Hale Mission provides shelter, recovery and support services to individuals experiencing hardship. Deliver a Thanksgiving meal, share conversation with residents or help assemble holiday gift bags and Christmas stockings.

7. Community Kitchens Holiday Meal Volunteering

Group of volunteers helping prepare meals with Community Kitchens.
Community Kitchens provides the perfect opportunity to volunteer with the whole family. (Community Kitchens)

Community Kitchens serves free, nutritious meals to people experiencing hunger and homelessness. Holiday volunteer opportunities focus on meal preparation, serving and cleanup.

8. Be a Santa to a Senior with Home Instead

Help ensure local seniors feel remembered during the holidays by donating requested items, such as blankets, slippers, playing cards, and more. The program partners with several local organizations to serve older adults who may be isolated or living with limited resources.

9. Christmas Caroling at Fair Haven Senior Living Center

seniors caroling 1 17 ways to volunteer + give back this holiday season
Giving the gift of song by Christmas Caroling at Fair Haven Senior Living. (First Church Birmingham)

Give the gift of companionship and connection by singing Christmas carols and visiting with residents at Fair Haven Senior Living Center.

10. Oak Tree Ministries’ Christmas in the Village

oak tree 1 17 ways to volunteer + give back this holiday season
oak tree 2 17 ways to volunteer + give back this holiday season

Volunteers can shop for gifts to include in the Christmas in the Village market thanks to generous donations. (Oak Tree Ministries)

This unique program creates a Christmas shopping experience where parents select gifts for their children with dignity and have a say in what their child receives. Volunteers help prepare, organize and decorate the holiday store.

11. Acts of Service for the Community’s 5th Annual Winter & Wellness Drive

Support Birmingham’s unhoused neighbors by donating new or gently-used cold-weather essentials. Requested items include coats, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, shoes and travel-sized hygiene products.

12. Christmas Wrapping Party with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes

Help wrap Christmas gifts for children in foster care and support families connected to Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries.

13. King’s Home + St. Michael’s Iron Horse Foundation Holiday Gift Sponsorship

Wrapped Christmas gifts and gift bags for children sponsored through King's Home holiday program
Your monetary donation helps mothers and children across Birmingham have a happy holiday experience during tough times. (King’s Home)

Sponsor Christmas gifts for children living at King’s Home, which serves women and children overcoming domestic violence, homelessness and other traumatic circumstances.

14. Greater Birmingham Humane Society Sips for Strays

gbhs 17 ways to volunteer + give back this holiday season
The dogs, cats and other adoptable animals of Birmingham need some holiday love, too! (Greater Birmingham Humane Society)

Don’t forget about our furry friends—animal lovers can celebrate the season while supporting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society! Meet adoptable dogs, learn more about GBHS programs and enjoy dog-themed drinks—a portion of sales benefiting GBHS.

15. Donate to Children’s of Alabama’s 2026 Sugar Plum Shop

Sugar Plum Shop
Donate toys to kids spending the holidays in the hospital in Birmingham. (Children’s of Alabama)

Shop Children’s of Alabama’s online toy store, the Sugar Plum Shop, and purchase gifts to be donated to patients and their families spending the holidays in the hospital.

16. Prepare meals for seniors with United Way of Central Alabama’s Meals on Wheels

Group of volunteers prepping meals at Meals on Wheels in Birmingham.
Lend a hand during the holidays by prepping food with Meals on Wheels in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankeship / Bham Now)

Help prepare meals for seniors across Birmingham with United Way of Central Alabama’s Meals on Wheels program. Some volunteer takes include counting out beverages + sides, loading vehicles + assisting with basic kitchen tasks, washing dishes, sweeping floors + cleaning kitchen after meal prep is complete.

17. Volunteer with Ronald McDonald House

Colorful toys and decorated Christmas tree at Ronald's Workshop, a holiday toy store at Ronald McDonald House Alabama
(Ronald McDonald House Alabama)

Ronald McDonald House Alabama provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare, including a comforting, welcoming, free place to stay in downtown Birmingham. Volunteers assist with many things from cleaning common areas, organizing donations, sorting pop tabs + much more. 

Looking for even more ways to give back? Many more Birmingham nonprofit organizations, food banks, and volunteer programs accept donations and volunteers year-round. Whether you can spare an afternoon or support a cause with a donation, every act of generosity helps strengthen our community during the holiday season.

What’s your favorite place to give back in Birmingham? Let us know and tag us in your volunteer experiences @bhamnow.

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Caroline Barr
Caroline Barr
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