With the holiday season underway, organizations across Boyle Heights and East LA are seeking volunteers to help distribute food, assemble bicycles, sort toys and sponsor families in need.

If you’re looking to donate, volunteer or find ways to give back, we’ve rounded up a list to help you get started.

Build bicycles and organize donations at a toy giveaway 

The Weingart East LA YMCA is hosting its 19th Annual Toy Giveaway on Dec. 18, and volunteers are needed to help prepare toys and provide support. Before the event, volunteers can help by assembling bicycles and sorting and organizing toys on Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to assist on event day from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.   

Volunteer at local food distributions

The Weingart East LA YMCA hosts a food distribution every Monday and Wednesday to ensure families have access to nutritious meals. Volunteers are needed for each food distribution from 8:45 a.m. to noon.

Mercado al Aire Libre, which started earlier this month, provides families with free, fresh and seasonal produce on the first and second Wednesdays of every month at its farmers-market-style food distribution. The mercado takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday of the month and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday. The next mercado will be on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Address: Salesian Family Youth Center, 2228 E. 4th St., Los Angeles, CA 90033

How to volunteer: Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Celene Rodriguez by phone at (323) 243-5758 or email at celene@visionycompromiso.org.

Drop off toys at 1st Street businesses 

LAFC’s Expo Originals supporters group is collecting new, unwrapped toys and Venmo donations ahead of its annual community toy drive on Dec. 14. Venmo contributions will go toward toy purchases, and the last day to donate is Dec. 6. Toys can be dropped off in person at the locations below until Dec. 13.

Donate a new jacket at a homeless shelter

Proyecto Pastoral is collecting new jackets to keep its participants at the Guadalupe Homeless Shelter warm. 

Where to donate: Jackets can be dropped off at the Proyecto Pastoral office located at 135 N. Mission Road. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Sponsor a family, child or classroom ahead of the holidays 

Proyecto Pastoral has many opportunities for the community to give back during its Holiday Drive this year. Those interested in fulfilling holiday wishes for a family, child or classroom have until Dec. 1 to register. Proyecto Pastoral will pair sponsors with community members in need to fulfill items from their wish list. 

Individual toys can also be dropped off at Proyecto Pastoral’s office. The toys will be distributed to children who participate in Proyecto Pastoral’s youth programs at their end-of-year celebrations. 

Where to register: https://www.proyectopastoral.org/holidays

Have more ideas on how to volunteer or where to donate? Email us at editor@boyleheightsbeat.org