Anytime until December 23, 2025

Adopt-A-Grandparent with the Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) of Albany (Jewish Family Services), 1 Cliff Top Drive, Albany NY 12211 (a volunteer’s porch drop off)
The Albany Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) helps people aged 60 and over age in place. NNORC staff coordinates services and community resources that help seniors maintain their quality of life and independence, access services, and remain connected to their neighborhoods. Contribute items to a holiday basket for a local older neighbor who would otherwise be alone this holiday. All items must be delivered to the volunteer’s porch by 12/23.

New Beginnings Shelter, 1 Kasper Drive, Albany NY 12211 (a volunteer’s porch drop off)
New Beginnings Emergency Shelter provides 24/7 access to temporary shelter and support for youth under the age of 18 who have run away from home or are experiencing homelessness, as well as Street Outreach services for youth up to their 22nd birthday. Contribute items from their wishlist to help support some of the most vulnerable kids in our community.

Any Thursday Ever

Sidewalk Warriors Troy, 35 State Street, Troy, NY, 3pm
Donation of items to neighbors in need. You can also order items from Amazon to ship directly to Sidewalk Warriors.
More volunteering opportunities: Every Thursday at 35 State Street, Troy. Help out at a pop-up distribution where there are 30 tables filled with hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, pantry items, and essentials, along with special distributions such as socks, underwear, and gloves. Set up is at 4:30 and serving starts at 6:00 pm, breakdown at 7:30pm. To schedule a group of more than 5 people, team leader Robin Fontanelli may be reached at 518-265-7026. Email Robin Fontanelli for more information.

Monday - Friday Before December 5, 2025

South End Children’s Cafe, 33 Rensselaer Street Albany, NY 12202, 12pm to 3pm
Sign up to donate mittens and gloves for children in Albany’s South End Neighborhood.

Monday & Tuesday, December 8 & 9, 2025

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, 27 Hackett Blvd., Albany, NY 12208, 10am to 4pm
Sign up to adopt a family, donate holiday baskets to neighbors in need, or donate love kit gift bags for neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Tuesday & Wednesday, December 9 & 10, 2025

St. Catherine’s Center for Children, 40 North Main Ave. Albany NY 12203, 10am to 11:30am
St. Catherine’s serves children, families, and individuals across 36 counties throughout New York State. Donate items from their wishlist to their Hope for the Holidays program help bring warmth, comfort, and joy to those who need it most.

Many of the children and families they support have experienced trauma, loss, or ongoing mental health challenges. Your compassion and generosity bring them hope — a reminder that they are seen, valued, and cared for by their community.

Before Friday, December 12, 2025

Girls, Inc, 962 Albany Street, Schenectady NY 12307
Girls Inc of the Greater Capital Region inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Their Holiday Shop campaign is a heartwarming way for individual and corporate donors to bring joy and support to nearly 200 girls at Girls Inc. in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy by ordering items from their Amazon & Walmart wishlists to be delivered to Girls Inc.
Selects gifts to share from their wishlist

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, 27 Hackett Blvd., Albany, NY 12208, 12:30pm to 3pm & 3pm to 5pm
Join the IPH team as a volunteer at the Each One, Feed One Holiday Harvest event hosted by 8 Count Kitchen. You’ll help create a warm, organized, and joyful experience for families receiving free hot meals, brand-new toys and a party! Volunteer roles include: welcoming guests and guiding them through lines, receiving and organizing donations, supporting the Toys & Gift-Giving area, serving as a runner for the chefs and event team.
Sign Up: Each One, Feed One Holiday Harvest Volunteer Registration

American Cancer Society Hope Club, 1 Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110, 9am - 12pm
The American Cancer Society’s Hope Club, with your help, provides free services to those cancer patients and survivors in the Capital Region who need it most. They help cancer patients and survivors with mental health, socialization, and recovery. Donate items from their wishlist, to help patients, survivors & families impacted by cancer.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Food Pantries for the Capital District, 32 Essex Street, Albany, NY, 10am to noon
In Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties over 89,000 people are food insecure. 27,000 are babies and children. FPFCD is a coalition of more than 65 food pantries in the Capital Region working together to feed the hungry.
Donate items from the wishlist to help some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society - Stuff the Bus! 3 Oakland Ave Menands, NY 12204, 10am to 1pm
This year, in partnership with the Capital District Transportation Authority - CDTA the goal is to Stuff The Bus! Swing by the MHHS on Tuesday, December 24th, between 10am and 1pm to support this donation drive, as well as see Santa Paws & a whole building full of adorable dogs & cats ready for adoption!
Donation of items to help unadopted pets.

Northern Rivers Family of Services, 60 Academy Road, Albany, NY, 12208, 9am - noon
Northern Rivers is a family of human services agencies who work together and are committed to helping children, adults, and families.  They are collecting donations of personal hygiene products for more than 1,000 youth in their care, or send items from their wishlist. They will also have a short craft where volunteers can create a "Happy New Year" card for one of the children in their care."

Ronald McDonald House Charities, 141 South Lake Avenue Albany, NY 12208, 9:00am to 1:00pm
RMHC provides support to families of children with serious illnesses. This year, they're requesting items such as individual snacks & beverages, household items, gift cards & toys, and activities.
Donate an item from their wish list or order from their Amazon List to help support families living in the house while their children receive medical treatment.

Grassroots Givers, 522 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12203, 9:00am to 12:00pm
Grassroot Givers provides books, clothing, and home essentials to individuals and families who are experiencing poverty in the Albany, New York area. Donate items from their wishlist.
Volunteer opportunities are available. Complete the volunteer form to learn more.

Veteran’s Miracle Center, 10 Interstate Ave, Albany NY, 9 to noon
Deliver donation items to help area veterans in need. Specific wishlist: small kitchen appliances, small vacuums, laundry detergent, dish detergent, garbage bags, individual bed pillows, twin & full flannel sheets, hand warmers, Stewart’s Gift Cards
Deliver in person, or order from the Amazon Wish List!