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Holiday Volunteering
Get involved this holiday season!
As the clouds roll in and the skies darken earlier, nonprofits across the Greater Portland area are looking for volunteers like you to brighten the day by lending a hand!
► Have a few hours?
Check out our Project Calendar to find a variety of volunteer opportunities, including some that can be done from home.
► Deepen your impact...
Search all of our volunteer opportunities to find longer-term or skills-based opportunities with our 300+ non-profit partners. You can hone your search by keyword, zipcode, availability and more! In the search results, look for opportunities with the time listed as "Open" to find opportunities that could use your help for more than a single shift.
► Seeking assistance?
If you are seeking food or gift assistance during the holidays, please visit 211info to get connected with programs that can help. We also have a page of community food resources here: https://www.unitedway-pdx.org/resources.
► Have items to donate?
Here at Hands On, we have many amazing nonprofit partners with holiday programs that couldn’t happen without in-kind donations from generous individuals like you. From unwrapped gifts to books to hygiene kits to hats, take a look at the list below to find something you could give!
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► Organizations to Support with In-Kind Donations:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington
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Items Needed: We are looking for new and unwrapped toys for the following age groups: infants + toddlers, kids aged 5 - 12, teenagers, and parents + adults. We also accept gift cards!
View our wishlists here: https://ronaldmcdonaldhouseoregon.org/wishlists/
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon + SW Washington provdes a home away from home and a community support for seriously ill or injured children and their families. Every family that stays with us has had to travel more than 30 miles to receive medical care for their seriously ill or injured child under 21 here in Portland.
For the thousands of children that stay with us every year, a new toy can go a long way in making them feel at home while traveling for medical care or during stressful situations. Help us make Roanld McDonald House Charities a home away from home by donating a new and unwrapped toy this holiday season. We set up a 10-day holiday store for our guest families to do their holiday shopping for free for one another and use the rest of the toys and gifts all year long to stock our Toy Store which provides every kid that stays with us a brand new toy upon arriving to one of our four Houses.
How to Donate: You can drop-off at any Ronald McDonald House between 8am and 10pm Monday through Sunday. We will ask you to fill out an in-kind donation form.
Clackamas Service Center
Items Needed: We are happy to accept gently used casual clothing, shoes, commonly used household items (mugs, pots and pans, utensils. etc.), cleaning supplies (paper towels, dish soap, etc.), pet items (food, leashes, etc.) and hygiene items (bath towels, diapers, tampons, toilet paper, etc.).
Shop our registry to support us with our most needed items: https://www.myregistry.com/organization/clackamas-service-center-portland-or/2599469/giftlist
About Clackamas Service Center: Our mission: Clackamas Service Center (CSC) is an inclusive "one-stop" community center for individuals and families seeking food relief and resources for improved health, dignity, and stability.
These items would help greatly in clothing our housless clients during the winter months. Providing folks who access services and take showers at our facilities a clean, warm and dry change of clothes. Visit https://www.cscoregon.org/in-kind-donations for more information.
How to Donate: We prefer appointments for drop offs. We are located at 8800 SE 80th Ave in Portland, Oregon. Call Michael Bowman to schedule an appointment 503.984.1224
Neighborhood House
Items Needed: For more than 40 years, Neighborhood House has been providing nutritious, free food to our SW Portland neighbors. Currently located in the heart of Multnomah Village, the Free Food Market serves over 850 households per month and has distributed nearly a million pounds of food in the last year to more than 16,000 people
View our most needed food items here: https://nhpdx.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Free-Food-Market-most-needed-items-list-.pdf
About Neighborhood House: Human Service Agency geared at assisting the community where it is needed. Founded over 100 years ago, its mission started as primarily helping refugees and newly immigrated immigrants. Not only is that still a part of our mission, but we also cater to the needs of the SW Portland community. We offer five programs including a Food Pantry, Low-Income Housing Facility, Senior Center, an Early Head Start Program, and a Youth Services Program.
How to Donate: Any food donated items can be dropped off at our Food Pantry (3445 SW Moss St, Portland 97219) during the following hours: Donations can be made from 9am-4pm Monday and Wednesday, 9am-12pm Tuesday, and 9am-5pm Thursday.
If you are donating to the Food Pantry, you are welcome to stop by during our open business hours stated above. A volunteer or Food Pantry employee can help weigh the food in order to record the amount that was donated and to provide a receipt for tax purposes. To learn more about the program: https://nhpdx.org/food-security/
Thank you!
The Children's Book Bank at SMART Reading
Items Needed:
We are currently accepting donations of:
Board Books
Picture Books (especially books for younger readers)
Alphabet Books
Spanish Language Books
Multicultural Books
Books About Numbers, Colors, Animals, Shapes, And Words
Story Books
Rhyming Books
Chapter books for students up to 8th grade
About The Children's Book Bank at SMART Reading: Our mission is to advance child literacy, encourage family bonding, and ignite curiosity through the power of books.
Our vision is a community where all children have equal opportunity to succeed as future readers and learners. We serve a large Spanish speaking and Latinx population and are always in need of these books to distribute through our programs and community partners.
How to Donate: The Children’s Book Bank at SMART Reading accepts donations of new and gently used children’s books Mondays through Friday 9 am – 5 pm at our location in NE Portland (480 NE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97212). If you’d like to drop off books outside of those days and hours, please email bookbank@smartreading.org or call us at 503-616-3981.
Want to purchase new books to donate? Check out our Amazon Wishlist for titles we need. Visit https://smartreading.org/bookbank/donate-books/ for more information.
Rose Haven
Items Needed: Our most needed items are personal hygiene items, comfortable clothing & shoes, socks, underwear, outdoor gear, backpacks, and luggage. We need practical, in-season clothing, as our guests are often wearing the clothing they receive that very day!
About Rose Haven: Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children and gender non-conforming folks experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges.
We break the cycle of homelessness by providing meals, clothing, first aid, mailing addresses, hygiene, restrooms, showers as well as educational programs and guidance through medical and social services. By meeting basic needs and building trust, we empower our guests to explore long-term change.
How to Donate: We will be accepting drop-in donations Thursday afternoons from 1-4 pm, or by appointment only. We ask that you limit your used clothing donation to 2 bags. To schedule a drop-off outside these hours, please click here. Please do not show up outside of donation hours without scheduling an appointment.
We ALWAYS need full size hygiene, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, blankets & new underwear. We are located at 1740 Northwest Glisan Street Portland, OR 97209. You can pull up in front of the loading dock on Glisan St. Ring the doorbell at the metal donation door, next to the red and orange rose mural. Please do not leave donations at the door unattended.
Visit https://rosehaven.org/helping/donate-supplies/ for more information and to find Amazon wishlists for our guests and our clinic.
SnowCap Community Charities
Items Most Needed:
Hearty Soups, Chili, Stews*
Canned fruits & vegetables*
Dessert mixes (Jello/cake/brownie, etc)
Quart size sip top bags
Socks for all ages!
Cooking oil, Butter, Sugar, Ground coffee
Pet food - especially cat!
Paper & plastic bags
Returnable cans & bottles - rinsed please!
*Cans with pop tops appreciated!
Care Packages: Toothpaste / toothbrushes, Deodorant, Shaving cream / razors, Body soap / body wash, Shampoo / conditioner, Baby wipes, Lotion, Laundry detergent, Hats / gloves, Hand warmers
Donate Stocking Stuffers for Kids and Teens (Especially Teens!)
Ideas include (new items please):
- Card & board games / Toys / Craft Kits (boys & girls)
- Journals / Pens / Coloring Pencils / Art Supplies /
- Notepads
- Activity Books - Especially for ages 10-adult
- Teen Hygiene / Grooming / Bath Kits - Especially
- for young men
- Hot Chocolate packets / Wrapped Candy
- $10-$20 gift cards for coffee or fast food
We also have an Amazon wish list you donate items to.
About SnowCap: SnowCap Community Charities is a philanthropic organization created to provide food, clothing, advocacy and other services to our neighbors in need.
Created in the 1960's by pastors, who thought that this area was not well served by social service agencies, SnowCap is now a broad base community service organization.
SnowCap helps with food, clothing and other basic human needs. We serve people who live east of 82nd avenue and within Multnomah County:
How to Donate: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 17788 SE Pine St Portland, OR 97233
We are open to receive donations at the Pine Street entrance from Monday through Friday. Visit https://www.snowcap.org/donate.html for more information.
Blanchet House of Hospitality
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Items Needed:
NEW Socks. Adult sizes. (Add to a care kit.)
NEW Men’s underwear.
Beanies, warm hats, and gloves. Adult sizes.
Coats, sweatshirts and hoodies. Adult sizes. No smalls.
Work pants and jeans. Men’s sizes 30 and up.
Long and short-sleeve T-shirts. L-3XL
Lightweight jackets. No smalls.
Sweatpants. M-3XL
Sleeping bags. No linens or pillows.
Blankets. No large linens.
Backpacks and duffle bags.
Men’s new or gently used shoes. No dress shoes.
Lite-weight ponchos. (Add to a care kit.)
Tarps
Work shoes and boots. Men’s sizes 9 and up.
About Blanchet House: Blanchet House's mission is to offer food, shelter and aid to all those in need of a safe place to be nourished and restored. Donating care kits, clothing, or sack lunches is a great way to help bring relief to someone experiencing homelessness and trying to survive in tough conditions. These basic survival items meet some of the practical needs of the unhoused. They are also an act of kindness and generosity that can make someone’s day.
How to Donate: Only donate clean and usable items. We are unable to wash or repair clothing. Being offered dirty, stained, or damaged clothing can feel humiliating. Consider the dignity of the receiver. We DO NOT accept children’s clothing, business attire/suits, housewares, linens/pillows/towels, or books.
Clothing can be dropped off Mon-Sat, at 310 NW Glisan St. from 8 – 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 4 p.m. Please avoid dropping off during meal services. Pull up to our entrance, knock on the door to get our attention, and a staff member will retrieve your donation from the car. If you’d like a donation receipt, we can provide one. You can also call us at 503-241-4340 or email info@blanchethouse.org.
Visit https://blanchethouse.org/donate-clothing/ for more information, and to find our Amazon wish list.
Christmas Family Adoption Foundation
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Items Needed: Wrapped gifts, clearly labeling each package.
You can view family wishlists here: https://christmasfamilyadoption.com/family-wishlists/, as well as suggestions like gift cards, clothing, toys, and household items.
About Christmas Family Adoption Foundation: Christmas Family Adoption Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization serving the greater Portland Metro area. Our Adopting Angels help us provide toys, clothing, household essentials and more to families in need. We work with recognized agencies and caseworkers to connect with families in the area. Join us in making this Christmas a time of real celebration for families.
How to Donate: Read about available families.
Contact them with any questions.
Decide how involved you want to be with that family.
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Do you want contact with the family or stay anonymous?
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Would you like to deliver the gifts yourself or have the foundation do it?
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