Every other day of the year, local nonprofits providing food and housing are hungry for volunteers. But on Christmas Day, “We get booked up very quickly,” says Mary Schlitt of Food Gatherers, which hosts a Christmas meal at the Delonis Center. An employee at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church says Christmas is one of just two days when its popular free breakfast may turn away volunteers (the other is Thanksgiving). At the Alpha House family shelter, volunteer coordinator Kathy Koehler says that plenty of Temple Beth Emeth and St. Clare’s Episcopal Church members have signed up to distribute gifts and serve meals. Joan Miller of Meals on Wheels says that Jewish Family Services will continue its tradition of providing Christmas day drivers.
There’s still plenty of room to help the other 364 days. “We’re always looking for drivers the rest of the year,” Miller says. “We would welcome help” other days (and nights) of the year, says Koehler of Alpha House. And the week before Christmas, Koehler adds, “We are looking for volunteers. Please get the word out.”