Where to Volunteer Over the Holidays
By Hector Morales
Staff Writer
Volunteer opportunities are available for students who are interested in volunteering their time to help people in Chicago who do not have a place to sleep or food to eat.
Thanksgiving is on November 24 this year, and while some students will spend this holiday with family and friends, there are people in the city who will not.
Civic Engagement Director Elvis Guzman of the City Colleges of Chicago identified the community organizations listed below that work with CCC to promote their services and recruit volunteers.
One such community-based organization is Brave Space Alliance, the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center on the South Side of Chicago dedicated to creating and providing affirming and culturally competent services for the LGBTQ+ community, according to their website’s mission.
Volunteers help the organization provide meaningful services and programs to the community and is currently seeking volunteers to maintain the only LGBTQ-run food pantry in the Midwest.
Any students, faculty, or staff interested in volunteering can contact Brave Space Alliance at volunteers@bravespacealliance.org.
Another CCC partner organization is the Greater Chicago Food Depository. According to their website, “[t]he Food Depository is part of a united community effort working to bring food, dignity and hope to our Cook County neighbors. We act as the hub for a network of more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs. These programs provide food where it’s most needed. We also address the root causes of hunger. Public benefits outreach and job training programs offer support for our neighbors to overcome poverty.”
According to Food Depository Volunteer Coordinator Victoria Tejada-Gervais, there are currently no volunteer opportunities for the Thanksgiving break at the Food Depository, but Tejada-Gervais encouraged students to volunteer after the November holiday at local food agencies by utilizing the Food Depository’s “Find Food” portal.
Another community-based organization is the Howard Area Community Center located in Rogers Park. There are currently volunteer opportunities in its kitchen in order to provide food for vulnerable people during the Thanksgiving holiday season.
The HACC food pantry was established in 1967 to address food insecurity for the Rogers Park community, however everyone is welcome to utilize the food pantry, subject to availability.
If any HWC student is interested in volunteering they can access the volunteer portal.
Thanksgiving week opportunities are at the kitchen on Monday, November 11, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., on Wednesday, November 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Friday, November 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The HACC food pantry volunteer duties include working with HACC staff to receive and sort food donations, as well as preparing food packages for distribution to food party participants.
For information on year-round volunteer opportunities, students can contact Elvis Guzman at eguzman67@ccc.edu.
