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A number of local nonprofits and agencies are seeking volunteers to help those in need for the holiday season.
Agencies are seeking volunteers to assist with collecting and sorting food and gift donations as well as oversee resale shops and other operations.
This list is not comprehensive.
Animal Services - City of Pearland
Animal services with the city of Pearland protects animals and promote pet adoptions.
Sample activities: walk dogs, assist with off-site adoptions, help residents search for lost pets, take photos of animals in need of a home and clean adoption center facilities
Donations accepted: clean blankets and towels, crates, carriers, leashes, collars, unopened dog and cat food, treats, large containers of peanut butter, sturdy toys, money
8311 Freedom Drive, Pearland
www.pearlandtx.gov/departments/police/divisions/animal-services/volunteer
Assistance League of Montgomery County
Assistance League’s all-volunteer nonprofit organization has been transforming the lives of children and adults in Montgomery County since 1985 through its seven community programs.
Sample activities: work in the thrift shop, assist with various community programs and services, administrative work, information technology, accounting/bookkeeping, marketing and social media aid
Donations accepted: gently used clothing and household items can be made at 126 N. San Jacinto St., Conroe. Monetary donations can be made on the website, in person or by mail to the thrift shop location.
126 N. San Jacinto St., Conroe
BARC Houston
The animal shelter is dedicated to helping animals in Houston and provides sheltering and veterinary care for pets as well as adoption, fostering programs and live release initiatives.
Sample activities: animal care, administrative help, facility beautification and construction, working at special events, fostering, assisting with adoptions at BARC or off site
Donations accepted: money, personal checks, dog and cat food, toys, treats, leashes and collars, flea shampoo, towels, detergent, litter, unopened rubbing alcohol, dish soap
3300 Carr St., Houston (BARC Adoption Center)
Charlotte Davis Burns Science Resource Center
The resource center supports the science program in Cy-Fair ISD in helping students achieve scientific literacy.
Sample activities: providing science demonstrations, gardening, field trip assistance, deliveries
Donations accepted: animal food and supplies, baby food, hay, cleaning supplies, art supplies, heating pads, bedding
11206 Telge Road, Cypress
Clothed By Faith
The organization addresses clothing insecurity by providing a week’s worth of gently used clothing to people in need, free of charge.
Sample activities: sort and organize clothing, make clothing bags for babies, children, teens, and adults.
Donations accepted: clothing (used or new), new socks and undergarments, purses, accessories, and shoes. Used textiles to be recycled (bedding, towels, curtains) and monetary donations.
802 Dominion Drive, Ste. 100, Katy
Cypress Assistance Ministries
The faith-based nonprofit offers assistance to families facing eviction, seniors needing food delivery, job seekers, financial assistance, adult education and job training.
Sample activities: donation center, food pantry, grocery deliveries, resale stores, administrative, office assistance
Donations accepted: monetary donations, cars, non-perishable foods, household and personal care items, clothing
12930 Cypress North Houston Road, Cypress
East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry
The ministry has a mission of helping families meet their basic needs and addressing food insecurity. The organization runs a resale shop and uses its proceeds to fund a food pantry and financial assistance.
Sample activities: Work at the resale shop, host a food drive, drive a box truck, translate Spanish, or help in the pantry or warehouse
Donations: Items to the resale shop, food and monetary donations
435 Stafford Run Road, Stafford
Houston Area Women’s Center
This organization works to end domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking. Services include crisis intervention, support programs and violence
prevention initiatives.
Sample activities: joining a committed volunteer fundraising committee; helping at events; offering holiday gift items to survivors and their families; assembling essential supply kits to aid women and children in the HAWC shelter.
Donations accepted: monetary contributions; food items; brand new clothing for women, infants and toddlers; toys; diapers; hygiene products; beauty products; first aid items; luggage; detergent; smaller appliances
Houston Food Bank
The nonprofit collects, inspects, sorts, stores and distributes food to community partners, such as pantries, soup kitchens, schools and multi-service centers.
Sample activities: sorting food; building home delivery kits; assisting with hot meals; distributing food and school supplies
Donations accepted: money, food, vehicles, stocks
East branch: 535 Portwall St., Houston; North branch: 146 Knobcrest Drive, Houston
Houston Ground Angels
Houston Ground Angels is a volunteer driven group providing transportation of medical patients to and from their homes to medical facilities for critical care, mostly transplant and cancer care. Volunteers must be willing to give their time and expense to help the patients. Operating since 2000, Houston Ground Angels completes around 500 rides a month across the Houston area. Patients need to get treatment in the Woodlands, Tomball and Willowbrook area with some needing to go to the Texas Medical Center. The group is on track to complete more than 5,500 rides in 2026 an all time record, but the group needs more volunteers.
Sample activities: Provide transportation of medical patients to and from their homes to medical facilities.
Donations: Financial support. Each dollar donated helps coordinate patients with volunteers so they can get to the treatments they need.
8206 Forest Breeze Lane, Spring
Interfaith of The Woodlands
The nonprofit social service organization has volunteer opportunities for programs focused on meeting basic human needs, including a food pantry, resale shop and services for seniors.
Sample activities: food pantry, Hand me Up Shop or the Veggie Village; senior activities, holiday toy drive
Donations accepted: food, books, clothing, housewares and furniture
4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands
Lunches of Love
This nonprofit is dedicated to ending childhood hunger in Fort Bend County. It provides packed lunches during school holidays and weekends.
Sample activities: making, packing and delivering lunches; decorating bags
Donations accepted: money; gift cards; decorated bags; non-perishable food items and food items on wish list
1416 Radio Lane, Rosenberg
Paw Pact Rescue
Founding Director and Chair Rachel Wagner said the Lake Houston area-based animal welfare organization is always in need of volunteers. The nonprofit rescues, rehabilitates and finds forever homes for animals in need.
Sample activities: fostering animals; working cat care shifts at the Summerwood and New Caney PetSmart locations; transporting pets for surgeries; organizing the storage unit; assisting with setup, teardown and pet supervision at adoption events
Donations accepted: monetary donations, items from its Amazon wishlist for supplies such as cat food, dog food and cat litter
12712 W. Lake Houston Parkway, B169, Houston, TX 77044 (mailing address); PetSmart, 14281 E. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston; PetSmart, 21436 Market Place Drive, New Caney
Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship
The nonprofit provides therapeutic horse-assisted interactions for people ages 2 and older with physical and cognitive, social or emotional needs.
Sample activities: walk along riders; groom, lead and prepare horses; clean barn; do office work
Donations accepted: money; usable horse tack; paper towels; toilet paper; bottled water; anything horse or office-related
7126 FM 359 S., Richmond
Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries
The nonprofit serves Tomball-area families in crisis by providing emergency assistance with food, clothing, medical and dental care, and other household bills. The organization also operates a resale shop. Volunteers under age 13 must be accompanied by a parent.
Sample activities: retail service in The Resale Shop; local food delivery and pickup; caseworkers and mentors
Donations accepted: Gently used household items and clothing are accepted Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nonperishable items and toiletries are accepted Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
300 W. Main St., Tomball
United Way Greater Houston
The nonprofit organization creates opportunities for people to prosper through financial stability services coupled with youth development programs, healthcare and disaster recovery.
Sample activities: plant a community garden, pack a meal, assist with a book drive, read to students, pantry distribution, assist with senior programs, building toys for children and more
Donations accepted: money, pledges, check, stocks, cryptocurrency
50 Waugh Drive, Houston
