I want to help at Thanksgiving or Christmas....

Everyone thinks of volunteering at the holidays, and as a result, opportunities to prepare and serve meals tend to fill quickly and early (like September!). Listed below are some organizations who serve the homeless and needy who may still need help for the holidays. Call and give it a try--better yet, call and volunteer any other day of the year. They would love your help!

East Valley Senior Services
Mesa Senior Center, 45 W. University Dr.
December 18 - Home Delivered Meals for the Holidays
Volunteers will meet at 11:30 a.m. After enjoying a volunteer appreciation lunch, volunteers will deliver meals to four or five homebound seniors. Contact Monique at 480-964-9014, ext. 106.

"For Our City" Christmas Dinner, Saturday, December 20, 2008
El Penasco Mexican Kitchen, 19 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe
Volunteers are needed to roast turkeys in their home, serve meals at the restaurant and deliver meals to shut-ins. Please contact John McHatton at 480-332-9139.

Annual Turkey Giveaway, Monday, December 22
CEDA, 930 W. Broadway Rd., Su. 2, Tempe
Volunteer to help at the annual turkey giveaway. Call 480-921-1990.

Tempe Community Action Agency
2150 E. Orange St., Tempe
Needs donations of toys for their annual "Toy Chest" program which allows low-income families to come "shop" for toys for their children. Also has a small food bank and a "meals on wheels" program.
480-350-5883.

Tempe Salvation Army
714 S. Myrtle, Tempe
Be an angel and purchase a toy for a needy child for the Tempe Salvation Army Christmas Angel Program. The Salvation Army is also looking for donations of new back packs, blankets, sleeping bags socks, underwear, Chapstick, belts, shoes, toiletries items, fresh produce and non-perishable food items for the homeless. Call 480-967-8649 or visit www.salvationarmytempecorps.org.

Tumbleweed Youth Resource Center
Help support homeless youth; the center could use backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene items, movie tickets, socks, shoes, coats, etc. Call 480-966-2036, ask for Jana or visit www.tumbleweed.org/TempeYouthResourceCenter.html.

Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP)
Five Tempe churches open their doors to the homeless one day each week. Volunteer your time and help provide shelter, food and services to the homeless. Visit www.az-ihelp.org.

Shoebox Ministries Sock Drive
This organization hopes to collect 40,000 pairs of new socks to be distributed to 53 Valley homeless and domestic-violence shelters. Donations will be accepted until December 15. For drop-off locations, go to shoeboxministry.org or call 480-905-1610.

Project C.U.R.E.
Put a project together for your work group. Help sort donated medical supplies that will then be shipped to third-world countries. Projects available year-round.
480-237-0970.

Project Homeless Connect
Volunteer for this quarterly event that connects needy individuals with services in the community. Call 480-350-8950 for dates and times.

Paz de Cristo (Mesa)
Looking for donations of food, disposable razors, diapers, deodorant, men's and women's socks and underwear, men's coats in sizes large-XXL, as well as cash donations. Meal service opportunities will not be available until January 12.
480-464-2370 (Frances).

Save the Family
Give the gift of a safe home, employment and self-sufficiency through the Save the Family Holiday Sponsorship. Call 480-898-0228 or visit www.savethefamily.org.

Central Arizona Shelter Services (Phoenix)
602-256-6945, X2404 (Tina)

United Methodist Outreach Ministries (Phoenix)
Angel tree program--purchase a gift for a person or family; Christmas donations cards, as well as meal preparation. Or, purchase your Christmas cards from UMOM and help provide safe shelter for families. Call 602-275-7852 (Jessica) or visit www.umom.org.

St. Vincent de Paul Charity Dining Room (Phoenix)
602-261-6886 (Ann)

Salvation Army--Main
Needs include drivers to deliver Thanksgiving meals to the homebound (no dining room opportunities remain); volunteers to work at an Angel-Tree booth in a local malls; volunteers are still needed to help prepare and serve Christmas dinner.
602-267-4117

Open Horizons Preschool
By volunteering to help provide quality child care, you can enable a teen parent to continue in school and earn their diploma. Call 480-858-2300 or visit www.tempe.gov/tcc/openhorizons.

Tempe Community Foundation
Give a year-end bequest or planned gift. your gift will help support local community needs while meeting your own financial and philanthropic goals. Call 480-858-2322 or visit www.tempecommunityfoundation.org.

Tempe's Help to Others H2O Program
Add a dollar or more to your water bill each month and help support those most in need throughout the year. Call 480-350-8361 or visit www.tempe.gov/tcc/h2o.