Meals on Wheels, Prov. Rescue Taking Volunteers This Thanksgiving

Are you looking for a place to volunteer this Thanksgiving? Here are a few spots where you can donate your time:

Meals on Wheels, Northern RI

Meals on Wheels, which delivers prepared dinners to elderly shut-ins throughout the state, will deliver double meals the day before Thanksgiving, and organizers would appreciate a little extra help.

Charles Ryan, executive director for the program, said they've got enough volunteers to get them through the holiday, but extra help might help some of their regulars lighten their load during a busy Thanksgiving week. 

Interested samaritans can call the program at 401-766-2300 and ask for Debbie, or e-mail RSVP_RSVA@hotmail.com to sign up to help out between 9 a.m. and noon.

Volunteers are also welcome after Thanksgiving, Ryan said. "There's an ongoing need for volunteers," and they're constantly recruiting, he said, for both drivers (using their own vehicles) and helpers.

Meals on Wheels serves most of Northern RI, including Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, North Smithfield and Burrillville. During the year ending June 2013, Meals on Wheels served 20,508 meals to Woonsocket seniors, and a little more than 30,000 in Northern RI in total.

Providence Rescue Mission, Providence 

The Providence Rescue Mission at 627 Cranston St. in Providence is in regular need of volunteers, including for their Thanksgiving meals for the needy Saturday, Nov. 23 and on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, Nov. 28, both days from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. 

"Sure, we always do," said David Horowitz, director at the mission, when asked if they need volunteers. He said volunteers are needed for setup before and after the mealtimes, as well as during the meals themselves. The mission also works a Meals on Wheels delivery of Thanksgiving meals to people in the Providence area. 

To volunteer, Horowitz said people should fill out Providence Rescue Mission.org's online volunteer application. For more information, call 401-274-8861. 

Do you know a place that needs volunteers? Tell everyone in the comment section below.