The holiday season is one of the most meaningful times to give back, and Portland families have a wide range of opportunities to volunteer together. As community needs rise during winter—especially around food access, housing, and social support—local organizations welcome extra hands. Volunteering alongside your children not only helps neighbors in need but also fosters empathy, gratitude, and connection.
Below is a guide to family-friendly volunteer opportunities throughout the Portland area, with options that fit a variety of ages, schedules, and comfort levels.
Oregon Food Bank offers several volunteer roles suitable for families, including sorting and repacking food, assembling meal boxes, and helping with community food distribution. They also coordinate seasonal garden projects for those who prefer outdoor work. Many shifts are designed for adults and children volunteering together, and the work is hands-on and easy for kids to understand.
This can be a great option for families who want to volunteer together, packaging food and/or bundling groceries.
Sunshine Division runs one of Portland’s largest holiday food-box delivery events each year—often requiring hundreds of volunteer drivers to bring meals directly to households across the city. Families with teens can participate in these holiday deliveries or join a warehouse shift to help organize and pack boxes. This is a strong option for families looking for a one-day, holiday-specific service project.
Great if you’re looking for a one-day holiday-themed volunteer activity, especially for families with older children (minimum age 14 for some roles).
Lift UP provides food support for older adults and people with disabilities living in Northwest and Downtown Portland. Families can volunteer by packing boxes, assisting with food pantries, or creating “cheer cards” that accompany deliveries—an activity that is especially family-friendly and accessible for younger children.
They offer group shifts (families, friends, community groups), which makes it easy to volunteer together.
For families who prefer outdoor projects, Portland Parks & Recreation offers year-round volunteer shifts that continue through the winter months. Opportunities include park cleanup, mulching and gardening, invasive-species removal, and habitat care. These activities are typically open to a wide range of ages and are ideal for families who want a hands-on outdoor experience.
Great if you’re looking for a way to volunteer with younger kids (especially those who enjoy being outdoors) or want a more active, hands-on contribution.
Hands On Greater Portland serves as a hub for volunteer opportunities across local organizations and nonprofits. Their holiday-season listings include family-friendly service projects such as assembling gift bags, sorting donations, participating in community drives, or supporting shelter programs. This is an excellent resource for families who want to explore different causes or find opportunities tailored to their children’s ages.
Good for people who want to explore different causes (hunger, homelessness, community clean-ups, drives, etc.) and pick what suits their family, schedule, and interests.
Tips for Volunteering as a Family
- Review age requirements. Some opportunities are fine for younger kids (with adult supervision). Others require older teens or adult volunteers.
- Register early. Holiday volunteer spots (especially for food distribution or delivery) tend to fill up quickly.
- Pick what matches your family’s energy. If kids love being outside, consider park- or garden-based volunteering. If they enjoy helping people directly, food boxes or pantry shifts can be meaningful.
- Be flexible with time commitments. Some opportunities are one-day or a few hours; others may be recurring. Choose what works for your family schedule.
- Talk with your kids beforehand. Explain what they’ll be doing, why it matters. It helps turn volunteering into a meaningful, empathy-building experience rather than just “helping out.”
Final Thoughts
Creating space to volunteer as a family during the holidays can transform the season from simply busy to deeply meaningful. Volunteering during the holidays offers tangible support to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, isolation, or housing challenges. Whether you’re packing food boxes, delivering meals, restoring a neighborhood park, or offering a small act of kindness, each experience teaches children what community truly looks like. These shared experiences can become cherished traditions—rooted not just in celebration, but in compassion.
Emily currently lives in Orange County, California after spending four years in Illinois and half a year teaching in Florence, Italy. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Knox College and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego and has taught English to native speakers and ESL students for over three years. When she’s not working as a School Counselor or writing, she enjoys traveling the world, playing instruments, and blogging about Millennial experiences at Long Live the Twenties.