There are numerous volunteer opportunities downtown

The holiday season is fast approaching, and many New Yorkers look for volunteering opportunities during this festive time of year. Well, look no further. We have compiled a list of downtown volunteering activities, along with some websites that specialize in finding even more opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

New York City Rescue Mission
90 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10013

The New York City Rescue Mission (NYCRM) will host its annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet on Monday, November 20^th. This event reaches out to the city's homeless population by providing them with gospel entertainment and a banquet-style turkey dinner. NYCRM generally serves about 1,000 Thanksgiving meals to guests, including women with children living in city shelters, individuals living on the streets and in parks, homeless veterans, and others with special needs.

The objective of the NYCRM, the nation's first rescue mission, has remained the same since its founding in 1872: to provide spiritual hope, food, clothing, and shelter to people in crisis in New York City.

If you're interested in volunteering, call (212) 226-6214.

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New York City Coalition Against Hunger
16 Beaver Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10004

The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) will connect volunteers with the more than 1,200 emergency food programs (like food pantries and soup kitchens) in New York City. NYCCAH is particularly interested in individuals willing to volunteer their professional services, such as accounting, technology, marketing, grant writing, or financial management.

If you're interested, contact Ryan C. Zerfas at (212) 825-0028 x220 or rzerfas@nyccah.org.

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Wall Street Rising
55 Exchange Place (between Broad and William Streets)
Suite 401
New York, NY 10005

The holiday season is also known as the season of giving, which means it's time for Wall Street Rising's fourth annual holiday toy drive at the Downtown Information Center. Wall Street Rising will collect new, unwrapped toys for the United States Marine Corps, who will distribute them to needy children in the New York City community. 

The Toys for Tots drive will run from Monday, November 27^th, until Friday, December 15^th, at the Downtown Information Center, located at 55 Exchange Place. Drop off hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information, visit www.downtowninfocenter.org or call (212) 425-INFO.

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Grand Street Settlement
80 Pitt Street
New York, NY 10002

Grand Street Settlement is looking for young professionals who love technology and art and are interested in working with and empowering youth to be technology mentors. Grand Street Settlement's Computer Clubhouse combines art, creativity, and technology while allowing children and youth the opportunity to express themselves in a safe space. Volunteers are needed for afterschool programs to work on a variety of projects -- from graphic design using Photoshop to mixing CDs in a music lab.

Shifts are available on weeknights between 4 and 8 p.m.

If you're interested, contact Jennifer Walker at jwalker@grandstreet.org.

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NYU Downtown Hospital
170 William Street
New York, New York 10038

NYU Downtown Hospital seeks general volunteers for duties in a variety of departments. Since 60 percent of the hospital's patients are Chinese, there is particular need for volunteers with Chinese-language ability. Qualified individuals will serve as translators for medical personnel and will work closely with doctors and nurses interpreting to patients and their families.

Anyone who can give any time at all from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. is needed immediately.

If you're interested, contact William Wang, director of volunteers, at (212) 312-5109.

Volunteer Websites

NY Cares
http://www.nycares.org/

Mayor's Volunteer Center
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mvc/html/home/home.shtml

NY Charities
https://www.nycharities.org/volunteer/volunteermatch.asp?gclid=CM-G_qenx4gCFQ48GgodqmhWzg

Volunteer NYC
http://www.volunteernyc.org/volunteer/

Volunteer Match
http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Idealist
http://www.idealist.org/