With so many things to be grateful for at each and every Thanksgiving, it’s incredibly important to remember those who are not as fortunate as we are.
Extending a helping hand is an important part of sharing the holiday spirit with your fellow Orange County residents, so we’ve put together a list of 5 food banks in Orange County that always need volunteer help. These incredible organizations do amazing work in our community every day, and so we hope that if you have time or resources to donate, this list inspires you to do just that.
OC Food Bank
The Orange County Food Bank works with almost 400 local charities and organizations in an aim to end hunger and malnutrition in Orange County. Annually, the OC Food Bank distributes nearly 20 million pounds of food and commodities to non-profit agencies in Orange County that serve low-income families and individuals. A few of their programs include the Food for Seniors Program, Farm 2 Family, and an Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
11870 Monarch Street
Garden Grove, CA 92841
(714) 897-6670
https://www.ocfoodbank.org/volunteer/
Second Harvest Food Bank
The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is a member of Feeding America, and works through a network of hundreds of non-profit partner programs to provide wholesome food and fresh produce to millions of hungry children, seniors and families in Orange County each year. Since 1983, their mission has been to end hunger in Orange County by combating the hunger gap and providing food for all who need it.
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-2900
https://www.feedoc.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Friendly Center
The Friendly Center is a family and community resource center dedicated to improving the lives of low-income children and families by providing more than 20 free programs and services through its 6 locations in Orange County. The Friendly Center was established in 1924, and aims to help families overcome the barriers that keep them from making positive change in their lives.
147 W. Rose Ave.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 771-5300
https://www.friendlycenter.org/holidayvolunteer.html
Families Forward
Families Forward is a non-profit organization that is committed to helping Orange County families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Their mission is to help families achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through food, counseling, education, housing, and other support services.
8 Thomas Ave.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 552-2727
https://www.www.families-forward.org/volunteer/
Southwest Community Center
The Southwest Community Center has been serving the low income residents of Orange County for over 35 years. Their mission is to provide the basic needs of clothing, food, shelter, transportation, and health and professional support services to all who need it. The Southwest Community Center also does adopt-a-family holiday programs and toy drives, the success of which was featured in the OC Register in 2012.
1601 W. Second Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(714) 547-4073
https://www.www.swcommunitycenter.org/ways-to-give/be-a-volunteer
