November is a season of gratitude, and here in Santa Cruz County, we show our thanks by showing up for each other. With rent high, groceries costing more, and a wet El Niño winter on the way, many of our neighbors could use a hand this year.
The good news: there are so many ways to help. This month, the Volunteer Center’s Adopt a Family program launched its annual giving drive to support more than 2,000 local children, teens, families, and seniors; food pantries from Davenport to Pajaro need extra hands, and special program like Elderday and Hopes Closet would love your talents and time to support their work.
Whether you have five minutes or five days a week, you are invited to make service part of your holiday celebrations. Explore our Top 10 featured opportunities below, or search the full Holiday Volunteer Guide, brought to you by West Coast Community Bank.
1. Adopt a Family for the Holidays
Choose a local family, child, or senior and shop their wish list, or donate and let our volunteer Elves shop for you. Please adopt or give by December 14.
2. Adopt a Family Hotline and Office Volunteer
Match donors with families, share wish lists, and answer hotline calls. Morning and afternoon shifts are available weekdays through December 15, with training on your first shift.
3. Make Holiday Stars at Home
Pick up a kit at the Volunteer Center and decorate wishing-star ornaments that help children on our waitlist get their holiday wishes. It’s a great project for families, classrooms, and offices, and students earn one service hour for every six stars.
4. Saturday Food Sort with Second Harvest
Pack fresh produce and groceries for families at the Watsonville warehouse. Bring friends and family; volunteers 13 and up are welcome.
5. Davenport Food Distribution
The Davenport Resource Service Center is short-staffed as more neighbors come for help. Help with setup, restocking, and the clothing table on Tuesday afternoons. Even one week makes a difference.
6. Live Oak Friday Food Distribution
Help Santa Cruz Community Health hand out fresh produce and groceries, and carry bags to neighbors’ cars, every Friday afternoon.
7. Homeless Garden Project Holiday Store
Staff the downtown Santa Cruz shop selling wreaths, ornaments, and gifts handmade by trainees in the transitional employment program. Every sale supports unhoused neighbors.
8. Bundles of Hope with Hopes Closet
Sort and package children’s clothing, toys, and books for local families. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed.
9. Thinking of You Cards for Isolated Seniors
Write a cheerful card, or donate puzzle books and lap blankets, for seniors in care facilities. It’s a perfect project for kids, classrooms, and workplaces.
10. Musical Performances for Seniors at Elderday
Share your voice or instrument with seniors at Watsonville’s adult day health center. Performances can be scheduled weekdays.
Give the Gift of Connection
When you give to the Volunteer Center, your gift goes to work all year: matching volunteers with more than 300 local nonprofits, bringing holiday joy to 2,000+ neighbors through Adopt a Family, and mobilizing volunteers when disaster strikes. Join West Coast Community Bank and neighbors across the county in giving back this season. Please donate today.
You can also give through stock, a donor-advised fund, or an IRA qualified charitable distribution. Learn about tax-wise giving.
About the Volunteer Center
At the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, we connect people for good because meaningful service is the heart of a strong, vibrant community and a healthy, happy life.
For 60 years, Santa Cruz County has trusted the Volunteer Center to help people connect for good, turning compassion into belonging and lasting impact. Our vision is a community where giving is the way of life, where everyone’s gifts matter, kindness is celebrated, and together we build a stronger, healthier, more connected community where everyone thrives.
Learn more at scvolunteercenter.org
More from Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
