The holidays are a time for giving, and what better way to spread joy than by volunteering with your kids?
Beyond the gifts and celebrations, it's the perfect season to teach your children the true spirit of kindness and community.
From serving meals to helping animals, there’s a way for every family to get involved.
1. Help Combat Food Insecurity
From hosting a food drive, organizing inventory at food banks and shelters, to distributing foods, there are plenty of ways to get kids of all ages involved in making sure farmilies are fed.
Collecting Items
Bellevue Community Center Thanksgiving Food Drive
Items: Essential holiday items.
- Drop-off: 510 Duncan Rd., Wilmington, DE 19809
🦃New Castle County Public Service Departments Turkeython
- Monday, November 25 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Items: Frozen turkeys; fresh and canned veggies, yams, dry mix stuffing, and “all the fixings” for a Thanksgiving dinner, along with dessert items.
- Drop-off: ShopRite of Brandywine Commons, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19803
Pike Creek Dental
- Until Monday, November 25.
- Items: Non-perishable foods
- Drop-off: 4901 Limestone Rd Wilmington, DE 19808
YMCA of Delaware
- November 4 - 22.
- Items: Non-perishable food items and winter clothing
- Drop-off: All YMCA of Delaware branches
Distributing Food
Bellevue Community Center Thanksgiving Basket Distribution
- Sunday, November 24 from 2 - 5 p.m.
Big Ive's Turkey Drive and Giveaway
- November 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Delivering turkeys and food to 13 Wilmington apartment complexes and Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club.
Food Bank of Delaware
- Thursday, November 21 at 11 a.m. Turkey and Food distribution from Kingswood Community Center's parking lot, 2300 Bowers Street, Wilmington, DE 19802.
- Volunteer Opportunity: Help distribute turkeys and Thanksgiving fixins' to members of our community!
- November 26 from 8:30 a.m. to noon: Drive-Thru Food Bank of Delaware Distribution at Delaware Park
- Monday, December 2 at Noon. Bellevue Community Center Mobile Pantry
- Thursday, December 19 at 11 a.m. Kingswood Community Center
2. Send Letters or Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers
Writing cards and letters to active-duty military personnel is a simple way for kids to share holiday cheer and show gratitude, and it's something you can do from home. Operation Gratitude is one organization that collects letters, care packages, and homemade items for soldiers.
Operation Gratitude at Delaware Park Casino
- November 9 - 24
- Items: Sport Drink Packets, Beef Jerky, Coffee Packets, Gum, Slim Jims, Playing Cards, Puzzle Books, Hacky Sacks, Crazy Socks, Pens/Pencils
- Drop-off: Collection bins will be located at the Main Entrance, Kirkwood Entrance, and Player's Club. 777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19804
 Antoni Shkraba | Canva via Pexels |
3. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
The holidays are also a time when animal shelters need extra help. Whether it’s reading to dogs, playing with cats, or donating items on the shelter wish list, your family can make a difference for animals in need of love and care.
- Brandywine Valley SPCA Mega Adopt Event
- Homemade Cat Toy Makers Brandywine Valley SPCA New Castle Campus
- Faithful Friends
- Forgotten Cats
- Humane Animal Partners
4. Lasagna Love
Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families, but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty and stress.
5. Participate in a Community Trash Pickup
The spirit of giving extends to caring for your community and the environment. Join a local litter cleanup event or organize your own! You can also make it a family habit to bring a trash bag along on your walks or hikes. Not only will you beautify your surroundings, but you’ll also spend meaningful time together outside as a family during the holiday season.
6. Visit Elderly Residents at Nursing Homes
Many seniors feel lonely during the holiday season. Brighten their days by visiting a local senior center or nursing home. Whether it’s reading holiday stories, singing carols, or simply chatting, your visit will bring joy and warmth.
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7. Donate Books or Toys
The holiday season is the perfect time to teach children about giving by going through toy boxes to find gently used items they no longer need. Encourage kids to select toys they’ve outgrown to donate to local shelters, Little Free Libraries, community centers, or organizations that support children in need.
Collecting Items
Toys for Tots
- Delaware Natural Resources:
- Items: New, unwrapped toy
- Dates: December 8
- Drop-off: All Delaware State Park offices statewide, including the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington and the First State National Historical Park in New Castle County, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hockessin United Methodist Church Children's Book Drive
Items: New books for young readers (baby to 8 years old) as gifts, as well as gently used books for the office/waiting room of the Tiny Steps Program at Saint Francis Hospital (see flyer for more details). Bi-lingual books are welcome!
- Dates: November 3-24
- Drop-off: Lobby, or Church Office. Monday - Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm. 7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707.
Mayor's 2024 Toy Drive to Brighten the Holidays
- Items: A new, unopened and unwrapped toy (no electronics)
- Dates: November 4 - December 6
- Drop-off: City of Wilmington, Louis L. Redding City County Building, 800 N. French St.
- More Info: Eligible families wishing to receive toys this year must send an email with the necessary information to holidaytoydrive@wilmingtonde.gov. The deadline for registration is Friday, December 6.
- MSK's Community Center Holiday Extravanganza
- Date: December 19
- Drop-off: MSK Community Center, 1009 Sycamore Street, Wilmington, DE 19805 between 11 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday.
- Items: A new, unopened and unwrapped toy for ages 18 and under
Distributing Items
- December 13 & 14: The WRK Group Toy and Coat Drive
- December 20: 🎄 MSK Community Center Holiday Extravaganza
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8. Spread Warmth and Comfort
As the weather gets colder, many organizations — including hospitals, shelters, and community centers — welcome donations of handmade blankets to provide comfort and warmth to those in need.
Creating no-sew fleece blankets is an easy, hands-on project that your family can do from home. Programs like Project Linus distribute these blankets and offer a simple yet heartfelt way to give back during the holiday season.
Winter Gear and Blanket Drive
Operation Warm at New Castle Public Libraries
Several New Castle County Libraries will distribute free coats for children - sizes vary, while supplies last. A list of participating libraries and giveaway dates are below. Contact the library for additional details.
- November 16: North Wilmington Branch Library at 11 am
- November 23 – 25 9:30 am to 5:45 pm and November 28 from 9 am - 4:45 pm: Wilmington Library
- November 30: Delaware City
Make Giving Back a Holiday Tradition
Volunteering with your family is one of the best ways to embrace the true spirit of the holidays.
Whether you’re helping at a local event or taking on a project at home, you’ll be making a meaningful impact on your community. So this holiday season, don’t just give gifts — give back.
We will continue to update Wilmington-New Castle Macaroni KID's Holiday Events Guide with events as they are posted so check back often.
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Do you know of a kid-friendly holiday event in Wilmington and New Castle, DE that isn't listed here? Please submit your event here or email leslieh@macaronikid.com and we will add it to our list!
