Call Now
Are you ready to make a difference? This year, we will distribute 5,000 kits to feed 20,000 people — and we need your help! Are you ready to LIVE UNITED to feed Central Florida families?
There are nearly 1,000 volunteer shifts available, and they are open to all ages (with adult supervision) ranging from packing kits to making cards and helping distribute meal kits at one of three distribution locations.
This year’s volunteer shifts for Thanksgiving Project are available from November 19 to November 23, 2024! We are distributing the most kits ever, so we need the most volunteers ever!
Click here to review all available volunteer roles.
We have a variety of volunteer roles to suit your interests and availability:
Table & Chair Set-Up
Volunteers will help set up chairs, dress tables with tablecloths, and affix directional signage indoors/outdoors.
Decoration Squad
Volunteers will help blow up balloons and decorate the balloon arch, tower, and photo booths. Set up the welcome station: check-in table, t-shirt station and card-making station. All ages are welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Packing Station Set-Up
Volunteers will help de-palletize, transfer, and arrange food items according to their zone. Set up and label different stations.
Card Making Kick Start
Working together, volunteers will help start or finish making fun and upbeat encouragement cards to include in 5,000 meal kits for clients. All ages are welcome but must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Box Preparation & Palletization
Working in groups, volunteers will count and sort boxes onto pallets, wrap pallets for transport, and arrange boxes into smaller groups for bulk pick-ups. All ages are welcome (with adult supervision for all volunteers under 18).
Station Reset
Volunteers will help reset each station with supplies, clean and organize areas and perform other miscellaneous tasks.
Friends & Family Night, hosted by Women United – Meal Packing Party
POPULAR SHIFT REGISTER NOW!
Working in groups, volunteers will decorate cards, assemble boxes, pack food items, and ensure the quality of all kits. Invite your family and friends! All ages welcome (with adult supervision for all volunteers under the age of 18).
Alternative Happy Hour for Professionals – Meal Packing Party
POPULAR SHIFT REGISTER NOW!
Replace your end of week happy hour with this opportunity to volunteer with friends and colleagues and to help decorate cards, assemble boxes, and pack food items. While this evening will focus on our professional network, it is still open to all ages with adult supervision.
Car Loader
Working in groups, volunteers will assist with loading vehicles for those nonprofit partners assisting with deliveries to clients with transportation or accessibility concerns.
Lead Volunteers on Distribution Day:
You will be assigned a zone to guide teams of volunteers as they distribute boxes with Thanksgiving food items, resource packets, and roasting pans to our neighbors in need.
Distribution Day Volunteers:
POPULAR SHIFT – REGISTER NOW!
Working in groups, volunteers will help with translation, directional guides/concierge, distributors – meal kits and resource envelopes, set up, and breakdown.
Looking to make a greater impact as a Leader Volunteer? Register as a Lead and work alongside the HFUW team to provide guidance and support for general volunteers. You may serve as a zone captain, registration lead, or similar. This role is great for students looking to gain leadership experience, professionals exercising their management skills, or for those individual volunteers looking to have a more significant contribution to the success of the event. There are five shifts available:
If you or someone you know could use a “hand up” this holiday season, pre-registration is available for the distribution locations here:
- Orange – Valencia College West Campus
- Osceola – Valencia College Osceola Campus
- Seminole – Seminole State College, Sanford Campus
Distribution Day, November 23. This registration does NOT reserve a meal kit but will allow for clients to “skip the line” upon their arrival between 10AM – 11AM. The line will open to the public and unregistered clients from 11AM – 12PM.
Looking for more ways to help?
Donate $50 to support 1 family
Become a corporate partner. You can view sponsorship information (including team volunteer benefits) here.
Are you a member of Emerging Leaders or Women United? Check out their Fundraising Challenge pages and join the fun!
Are you an agency looking to provide resources to the community? Request your resource station at one of the distribution sites here.
Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our neighbors. By volunteering with HFUW, you’re helping to ensure that everyone in Central Florida has a warm and nourishing Thanksgiving meal.
