For those looking to help out in the Bellaire, Meyerland and West U communities, check out these local nonprofit groups offering volunteer opportunities and accepting donations.
This list is not comprehensive.
Second Servings of Houston
The nonprofit rescues surplus perishable food from retailers, distributors and manufacturers, and delivers it to local nonprofits.
- Sample activities: assisting drivers with food rescues, helping with PopUp Grocery Stores
- Donations accepted: surplus food, monetary contributions
- 8825 Knight Road, Houston
- www.secondservingshouston.org
Houston Food Bank
The nonprofit collects, inspects, sorts, stores and distributes food to the community via a network of partner agencies such as pantries, soup kitchens, schools and multiservice centers.
- Sample activities: sorting food, packing Backpack Buddy sacks, building Senior Boxes and disaster boxes, assisting with preparation and packaging of hot meals, distributing food and school supplies
- Donations accepted: monetary donations, food, vehicles, stocks and volunteer hours
- 535 Portwall St., Houston
- www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteernow
Plant It Forward
The Houston-based nonprofit works with growers across Houston to cultivate not just food, but a flourishing future—transforming underutilized land into thriving farms, training and empowering the next generation of diverse farmers and ensuring that every food dollar strengthens communities.
- Sample activities: various volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year, purchase produce at Houston farmers markets, attend events
- Donations accepted: click the donate button on the website; for other donor options, reach out to [email protected]
- 4030 Willowbend Blvd., Houston
- www.plantitforward.farm
Animals and wildlife
Coastal Prairie Conservancy
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving and restoring the coastal prairie and wetlands of Southeast Texas, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Founded in 1992, CPC protects more than 33,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, farms and ranches throughout the Greater Houston region.
- Sample activities: volunteers can help with habitat restoration, seed collection, native plant propagation, stewardship activities throughout the year
- Donations accepted: an online donation form can be found online; check or cash donations can be mailed to 5615 Kirby Drive, Ste. 867, Houston
- 5615 Kirby Drive, Ste. 867, Houston
- www.coastalprairieconservancy.org
Special Pals Rescue Resource Center
The organization is the oldest no-kill shelter in Houston. The nonprofit animal welfare organization facilitates adoptions, fostering, low-cost vaccinations and rescue boarding.
- Sample activities: take care of animals, complete administrative duties
- Donations accepted: monetary contributions, dog and cat food, trash bags, laundry detergent, bleach
- 3830 Greenhouse Road, Houston
- www.specialpals.org
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: monetary contributions, 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
- www.houstontx.gov/barc
Youth and families
Girls Empowerment Network
The organization advances self-efficacy—or the belief in oneself to succeed—in girls in grades third through 12th through programs that foster confidence, coping skills, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity and change making.
- Sample activities: writing role model letters, creating bookmarks, signing up to volunteer at Radiant G Conferences or in-school Radiant G Circle programs
- Donations accepted: monetary donations, merchandise sales, car donations, stock donations
- 4660 Beechnut St., Ste. 102, Houston
- www.girlsempowermentnetwork.org
Workshop Houston
The nonprofit’s mission is to provide creative, technical and educational resources to young people who are involved in the arts.
- Sample activities: working with students during after-school programs once a week during the semester
- Donations accepted: checks, in-kind materials can be mailed to P.O. Box 88365, Houston
- 3615 Sauer St., Houston
- www.workshophouston.org
Be a Resource
The nonprofit works to provide resources to children in Child Protective Services in Houston, as well as children who are referred to the organization.
- Sample activities: helping with community events, creating hygiene packs and school bags, hosting drives, participating in virtual volunteer opportunities, hosting donation drives
- Donations accepted: monetary contributions, hygiene products for babies and children, toys, books, diapers, clothing in all sizes, blankets, stuffed animals
- 3572 E. T C Jester Blvd., Houston
- www.bearesourcehouston.org
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 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
- 3077 El Camino St., Houston
- www.hawc.org
