The holidays are a time where we can reflect on what we are thankful for and give back to our community and the people we love. Whether it’s giving gifts, volunteering your time or helping your neighbor, Thanksgiving is a great way to help your community.

1. Donations at West High: Iowa City West High has been collecting donations for the winter season including clothing, snacks and school supplies. If you have any donations please give them to the front office. 

2. Community Food Pantry in Coralville and Iowa City option Volunteer: Iowa City and Coralville both provide volunteering opportunities at their food pantries. As we get closer to the holiday season, it is very important to give back to your community. Some volunteering options include making food deliveries to homes and working inside the food pantry. If you are interested in signing up, here are the Iowa City and Coralville forms.  

3. Donate winter clothing: Shelter House in Iowa City have many opportunities to give back to the community. Right now, they are looking for donations of winter clothing including jackets, gloves, hats and hand warmers. If you are interested in donating, they are accepting donations every day from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Volunteer Links

4. Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels of Johnson County helps elderly people by giving them warm meals to their front door. You can sign up to help deliver meals to the elderly. This is a great opportunity to help those who are the most vulnerable in our community. If you are interested in signing up and helping here the volunteer links.

5. Houses into Homes: Houses into Homes is an organization in Iowa City that focuses on giving furniture to people in need. There are many volunteering opportunities including delivering furniture to homes and working in the warehouse. If you don’t have time to volunteer, House into Homes is taking donations including beds, bedding, kitchen items, books and toys. Volunteer Links

6. Filling the community fridge at the Coralville library: There are many volunteering options that the Coralville Food Pantry provides all year round, but one of the volunteering options is filling the Coralville community fridge. The Coralville community fridge is located in the Coralville library. To volunteer, all you have to do is sign up here on the Coralville Food Pantry website. 

7. Ronald McDonald House: The Ronald McDonald House is based in Iowa City and focuses on providing homes and help for people in need. There are many volunteer options including doing laundry, sorting donations, preparing rooms and helping with events. Also, other volunteer opportunities include providing meals, sponsoring meals and group service projects. If you are interested in volunteering at the Ronald Mcdonald House, here are the volunteer links.

8. Animal shelters: Giving back by volunteering at an animal shelter is a great option. Many shelters have information on their website about how to volunteer. Just type into your browser, “(your city) animal shelter volunteering” and you will find it. Iowa City’s animal shelter requires you to watch an orientation video and then complete a quiz which can be found here. Additionally, this Thanksgiving if your family is looking for a new furry member of the family shelters are a great place to go. They have a wide variety of animals available that are ready for a home!

9. Donate blood: The U.S. is currently in a blood shortage. All blood donations are extremely helpful and donors receive a $15 gift card for a seasonal reward. The next donation date isn’t until Dec. 13 in the West High Dance Room, but you can sign up now and make sure you meet their requirements. In Iowa, you must be 16 or older to qualify and be in good health. The requirements vary depending on the donation type. You can find the full list of requirements for each type here.

10. Giving back to your community: Giving back can be as simple as helping a neighbor out. Making a meal for a neighbor in need, helping with yard work keeping people company are some examples that you could do to give back for the holidays. There are few free pantries around the city that operate on taking what you need and leaving what you can. Keeping those stocked can help everyone have a meal this Thanksgiving.