For many families, Thanksgiving is about gathering around the table. For others, it’s about setting that table for neighbors who might otherwise go without a meal.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back this Thanksgiving, there are plenty of opportunities across Anne Arundel County to help prepare, serve, or deliver food. Whether you’ve got a few hours in the morning or want to make volunteering part of your family tradition, these local groups will welcome your helping hands.
Anne Arundel County Food Bank (Crownsville)
120 Marbury Drive, Crownsville | aafoodbank.org/volunteer
Behind every holiday food basket are volunteers sorting donations, packing boxes, and coordinating distribution. The Food Bank’s warehouse team works throughout November to meet the increased demand.
What to expect: Indoor warehouse shifts include organizing canned goods, assembling meal kits, and loading vehicles for deliveries to local pantries.
When: Weekdays in November, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (No volunteer shifts on Thanksgiving Day).
Great for: Workplace teams, student groups, or anyone who wants to lend a hand before the holiday rush.
Anne Arundel County Holiday Sharing Program
Countywide | aacounty.org/holiday-sharing
Run by the Department of Social Services, this long-running county program pairs donors with families and seniors in need. Volunteers can shop for and deliver Thanksgiving food baskets directly to recipients.
What to expect: You’ll be matched with a local family, receive their preferred items list, and deliver groceries to their home before Thanksgiving.
When: Mid-November through Thanksgiving week.
Best for: Families or small groups who want to give together in a personal way.
Happy Helpers for the Homeless (Glen Burnie & Pasadena)
Various locations | happyhelpersforthehomeless.com
For more than 30 years, Happy Helpers has hosted one of the region’s most heartwarming Thanksgiving events—serving hundreds of people who might otherwise go hungry.
What to expect: Volunteers help pack and distribute hot meals, groceries, and essentials on Thanksgiving morning. It’s fast-paced, kid-friendly, and deeply rewarding.
When: Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Sign up: happyhelpersforthehomeless.com/volunteer
Union Church – Glen Burnie Campus
681 Hollins Ferry Road, Glen Burnie | theunionchurch.com/outreach
Union Church’s outreach team runs a Thanksgiving Food Distribution event the weekend before the holiday—packing meal boxes and delivering them to families in need.
What to expect: Sort donations, fill boxes, and help families pick up their Thanksgiving meals.
When: The Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Sign up: Register through their website’s Outreach page.
Find a Local Pantry Near You Through Feeding America
Not sure where to start? The Feeding America Volunteer Portal lets you search by ZIP code for local food banks and pantries still seeking Thanksgiving volunteers in Anne Arundel County and surrounding areas.
You can filter by time, activity, and age requirements. Making it easy to find a way to serve that fits your family’s schedule.
Volunteering on Thanksgiving is more than charity, it’s connection. It’s a way to remind ourselves (and our children) that gratitude grows when it’s shared. However you give back this season, you’ll be part of what makes Anne Arundel County such a generous community.
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