7 Ways To Volunteer In Santa Monica This December

SANTA MONICA, CA — Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. What better month to get involved and spread a little holiday cheer?

There are plenty of ways to volunteer in Santa Monica this December — from collecting and sorting toys like an elf, to assembling survival kits and homeless outreach.

The City of Santa Monica has offered up seven ways to get involved this month:

Saint Monica Catholic Community

• When: Now through December 14
• Where: 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403
• What:
  • Holiday Carnival/Party: Volunteer at the holiday party for the families from St. Joseph Center on Dec. 14. They need help with hospitality, parking, running games and craft projects, and serving food. Contact Christine Gerety at (310) 566-1531 for more information.
  • Volunteer to be an Elf: Help collect and sort donated gifts by age, gender, and specific requests. Help assemble gift packages for children in local schools on Sunday, Dec. 15. Contact Christine Gerety at or (310) 566-1531 if you can serve on any of those days.

Connections for Children Holiday Angeles Program

• When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 12
• Where: 5901 West Century Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90045
• What: Every year Connections for Children collects holiday gifts for children whose families are enrolled in their child care subsidy program. To volunteer, contact Charlout at (310) 452-3325 ext. 275.

• When: December 12-15
• Where: Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, 90049
• What: Fill The Giving Spirit’s teams for assembly of survival kits, outreach to homeless neighbors and learning experiences. Register here!

• When: December 19-22
• Where: The Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, 90405
• What: Holiday Food Program provides Christmas food baskets, toys and books to 2,500 families (12,500 people) living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. Click here to volunteer.

St. Joseph Center

• When: December 19-22
• Where: 404 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
• What: Their Holiday Food Program provides Christmas food baskets, toys and books to 2,500 families (12,500 people) living in poverty in the Los Angeles area. This program needs volunteers December 12-22 to help prepare and deliver baskets. For more volunteer opportunities throughout the year, click here.

• When: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Where: 1823-A Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
• What: Help deliver meals. Flexible schedule—you can deliver every day, once a week, or once a month. Call for more information: (310) 394-7558

Westside Food Bank

• Where: 1710 22nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
• What: Food sorting involves coming to the warehouse to organize and box food that they have received during food drives. Call or email Allison Griffith for more information about volunteering: (310) 828-6016. To donate food or other items, click here.