Ways to Give Back in Charlotte

Where to volunteer as a family

Charlotte is home to so many local nonprofits that serve neighbors in need. Here are 10 ways your family can get into the spirit of giving this holiday season—and throughout the year.

Thompson Child & Family Focus acts as a Secret Santa to nearly 800 children each year. See their wish lists to help provide for these deserving kids. Thompson also needs volunteers to help collect, label, and sort gifts; unload cars; write Christmas cards; and much more. Sign up for one of their December shifts.

The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte has multiple holiday volunteer opportunities including Thanksgiving lunch and dinner preparation and service and Christmas Center set up, shopping, Angel bag sorting, and distribution.

Host a stuffed animal drive for Hugaroo, which provides new stuffed animals to children who have experienced a life-threatening illness, traumatic event, or are at risk.

Help sort and bundle baby clothes for Baby Bundles. The group relies on volunteers for this huge organizational undertaking.

Crisis Assistance Ministry has many volunteer opportunities for anyone age 11 and older to support individuals and families experiencing a financial crisis. All on-site volunteers are required to show proof of vaccination.

A Roof Above has many volunteer opportunities for families like serving meals, making bag lunches, and collection drives. You can also contribute needed items to their holiday meals.

The Harvest Center of Charlotte invites families (with kids 10 and older) to assist with meal preparation and serving, and encourage volunteers to sit down and eat with the families they serve. They also welcome volunteer families to help with move-in preparations and campus beautification.

Have a social media savvy teen who won’t look up from their phone? Put that infuriating skill to good use for a nonprofit and for them! Nonprofits are in desperate need of social media support and driving social media strategy for a charitable organization is a great addition to a resume or college application. Nonprofits actively seeking social media support include RunningWorks, CareRing, Family ManKind, Evolving to Independence, and 1, 2, 3, JUMP.

Help your children put together a hot cocoa stand, holiday cookie shop, or gift-wrapping service with sale proceeds going to charity.