As the holiday season approaches, dozens of Greater Houston nonprofits are looking for volunteers to support families, seniors, animals, and patients in need. Whether you can spare a few hours a week or want to take on a larger commitment, there are opportunities ranging from sorting food donations to transporting medical patients.

Animal Services – City of Pearland

Protecting animals and promoting pet adoptions, the Pearland Animal Services program welcomes volunteers to walk dogs, assist with off‑site adoptions, help residents locate lost pets, photograph animals awaiting homes, and clean adoption‑center facilities. Accepted donations include clean blankets, crates, carriers, leashes, collars, unopened pet food, treats, large containers of peanut butter, sturdy toys, and money.

Assistance League of Montgomery County

Since 1985, this all‑volunteer nonprofit has transformed lives through seven community programs. Volunteers can work in the thrift shop, support various community services, provide administrative help, assist with IT, bookkeeping, marketing, and social‑media tasks. Gently used clothing and household items are accepted at 126 N. San Jacinto St., Conroe, and monetary gifts can be made online, in person, or by mail.

BARC Houston

BARC offers sheltering, veterinary care, adoption, fostering, and live‑release programs for pets. Volunteers are needed for animal care, administrative assistance, facility beautification, event staffing, fostering, and helping with adoptions both on‑site and off‑site. Donations of money, checks, pet food, toys, treats, leashes, collars, flea shampoo, towels, detergent, litter, unopened rubbing alcohol, and dish soap are welcomed.

Charlotte Davis Burns Science Resource Center

Supporting science education in Cy‑Fair ISD, the center seeks volunteers to give science demonstrations, assist with gardening projects, help on field trips, and handle deliveries. Accepted donations include animal food, baby food, hay, cleaning supplies, art supplies, heating pads, and bedding.

Clothed By Faith

This organization combats clothing insecurity by providing a week’s worth of gently used garments to those in need, free of charge. Volunteers sort and organize clothing, assemble bags for babies, children, teens, and adults. Donations of new or used clothing, socks, undergarments, purses, accessories, shoes, and recyclable textiles such as bedding, towels, and curtains are appreciated, along with monetary contributions.

Cypress Assistance Ministries

A faith‑based nonprofit serving families facing eviction, seniors needing food delivery, job seekers, and those requiring financial assistance or adult education. Volunteer roles include staffing the donation center, food pantry, grocery deliveries, resale stores, and providing office assistance. Monetary gifts, cars, non‑perishable foods, household items, and clothing are accepted.

East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry

Focused on meeting basic needs and addressing food insecurity, this ministry runs a resale shop whose proceeds fund a food pantry and financial assistance. Volunteers can work in the shop, host food drives, drive a box truck, translate Spanish, or help in the pantry or warehouse. Donations of items for the shop, food, and money are needed.

Houston Area Women’s Center

Dedicated to ending domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking, HAWC offers crisis intervention, support programs, and prevention initiatives. Volunteers may join a fundraising committee, help at events, assemble holiday gift kits for survivors, and build essential supply kits for women and children in the shelter. Accepted donations include money, food, brand‑new clothing for women, infants, and toddlers, toys, diapers, hygiene products, beauty items, first‑aid supplies, luggage, detergent, and small appliances.

Houston Food Bank

The Food Bank collects, inspects, sorts, stores, and distributes food to pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and multi‑service centers. Volunteers sort food, build home‑delivery kits, assist with hot‑meal service, and distribute food and school supplies. Donations of money, food, vehicles, and stocks are welcomed.

Houston Ground Angels

Since 2000, this volunteer‑driven group has provided transportation for medical patients needing critical care, especially transplant and cancer treatments. Volunteers give their time and cover expenses to drive patients to facilities in The Woodlands, Tomball, Willowbrook, and the Texas Medical Center. The organization completes about 500 rides a month and aims to exceed 5,500 rides in 2026. Financial contributions help coordinate rides and cover costs.

Interfaith of The Woodlands

This nonprofit offers volunteer roles in a food pantry, resale shop (Hand me Up Shop or Veggie Village), senior activities, and a holiday toy drive. Donations of food, books, clothing, housewares, and furniture are needed.

Lunches of Love

Focused on ending childhood hunger in Fort Bend County, this group provides packed lunches during school holidays and weekends. Volunteers make, pack, and deliver lunches, as well as decorate the bags. Donations of money, gift cards, decorated bags, non‑perishable food items, and items on the wish list are accepted.

Paw Pact Rescue

Based in the Lake Houston area, this animal‑welfare organization rescues, rehabilitates, and finds forever homes for animals. Volunteers can foster animals, work cat‑care shifts at PetSmart locations, transport pets for surgeries, organize the storage unit, and help with adoption‑event setup and teardown. Monetary gifts and items from their Amazon wishlist, such as cat food, dog food, and cat litter, are appreciated.

Reining Strength Therapeutic Horsemanship

Providing horse‑assisted therapy for individuals ages 2 and older with physical, cognitive, social, or emotional needs, volunteers help walk alongside riders, groom and lead horses, clean the barn, and perform office tasks. Donations of money, usable horse tack, paper towels, toilet paper, bottled water, and any horse‑ or office‑related supplies are welcomed.

Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries

Serving families in crisis, this nonprofit offers emergency help with food, clothing, medical and dental care, and other household bills, and operates a resale shop. Volunteers under age 13 must be accompanied by a parent. Activities include staffing the resale shop, delivering food locally, and mentoring. Gently used household items and clothing are accepted on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

These organizations rely on community members to keep their programs running during the busiest time of year. If you have a few hours to give, consider signing up with one of the groups above and help bring hope to neighbors across Greater Houston.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.