UPPER WEST SIDE — Many New Yorkers have a lot to be grateful for and some free time on their hands to give back as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. DNAinfo has found ways for locals and their families to help in the days leading up to the holiday and on Thanksgiving Day.
RACE TO DELIVER MEALS
Central Park
Sunday, Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m.
Those who won't be in the city on Thanksgiving or will be too wrapped up preparing a feast but still want to give back can join this 4-mile run/walk in Central Park to raise money for God's Love We Deliver. The organization uses any funds raised to deliver meals to people with life-altering illnesses throughout the city. Participants pay an entry fee between $10 and $40 depending on their age and then set up a fundraising page.
For more information, contact 212-294-8119 or raceinfo@glwd.org.
DELIVER MEALS TO HOMEBOUND LOCALS
Goddard Riverside
593 Columbus Ave.
From 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, both drivers and non-drivers are needed who can deliver meals to homebound people in the area. For those who can help the day before, on Nov. 25, volunteers are also needed to pick up food and make deliveries. Email holidaymeals@goddard.org or call 212-873-6600 ext. 301 for more info.
HELP GIVE AWAY TURKEYS
Wargburg Realty
451 Columbus Ave.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 2 to 7 p.m.
Join real estate broker Jason Haber and his family to help give away 100 turkeys to needy families. No need to sign up ahead of time, just show up to help. Volunteers can reach out to @jasonhaber on Twitter for more.
SERVE A THANKSGIVING MEAL TO THOSE IN NEED
Goddard Riverside
593 Columbus Ave.
Volunteers are welcome to serve a meal at the soup kitchen at Goddard Riverside from 12 to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. They are also needed to help with clean-up between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Goddard Riverside welcomes the donation of homemade pies, cookies and cakes, or packaged versions.
JOIN THE THOUSAND TURKEY CHALLENGE
West Side Campaign Against Hunger
263 W. 86th St.
The Thousand Turkey Challenge is the product of an interfaith coalition of churches and synagogues from the neighborhood that band together to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to low-income families.
The West Side Campaign Against Hunger is one of the main drop-off points for the turkeys. WSCAH is a supermarket-style food bank that allows recipients to shop for what they need at its pantry.
Donate a turkey at WSCAH on Sunday, Nov. 22, from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; or Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Note: The turkey must be frozen.
The Campaign can also use volunteers on those days to help with turkey intake, said executive director Stewart Desmond.
For those who can't drop a turkey off but want to participate, text TURKEY to 77948 (the birds cost $18 each) or donate that amount online at www.wscah.org.
For more information, email turkeys@wscah.org or call (212) 362-3662 x 127.
