Five Great Places to Support or Volunteer this Thanksgiving Weekend

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The holidays are officially, officially upon us. Thanksgiving is Thursday, and then we'll have tree lightings, family dinners, and the discount consumerist death duel of Black Friday, Black Thursday, Cyber Monday, and something-else-I-forget Tuesday. If the hustle and bustle of trying to find the perfect turkey -- or the perfect gift -- is making you wonder what the holidays are really about, you might want to consider volunteering. There's nothing like giving back to make you thankful for what you have, and we've found some great places where you can help out.

See also:

Best Good Guys -- St. Anthony Foundation/Glide Memorial Church

Bi-Rite's Got Your Back for the Holidays

5. Glide Memorial

Probably the best known free dinner in San Francisco, last year Glide served 934,000 meals to those in need. Glide goes all out on Thanksgiving weekend and they have volunteer shifts on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. This year they're in particular need of turkeys, so if the shift you wanted is covered, consider donating a bird.

4. San Francisco Food Bank

According to this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, what the SF Food Bank really needs right now is food -- especially turkeys -- but you can still volunteer. Shifts are available to sort and pack food during the holiday season (and year round. People always gotta eat).

3. Project Open Hand

Open Hand has been providing "meals with love," for seniors and the seriously ill since 1985. It serves in San Francisco and Alameda counties, so it's a good volunteer choice for our East Bay readers.

2. Block Friday Community Potluck

An excellent alternative to the shopping madness in Union Square from Swap/Meet SF. There will be a 100+ ft. table for food, and music provided by Street Stage. Sign up for the potluck, to volunteer, or to perform on their Facebook page.

1.SPCA Holiday Windows at Macy's

Seriously cute overload alert! Hailed as "One of the 10 best places to press your nose," by USA TODAY, the pet adoption windows are in need of volunteers for Thanksgiving weekend. Can you say purrr-fect?