Make A Difference In Anne Arundel: Where To Give Back This November

ANNE ARUNDEL, MD — Giving Tuesday falls on Dec. 1 this year, but you don't have to wait until then to make a difference close to home.

Throughout November, local nonprofits, food pantries, animal rescues, community organizations and other groups are looking for donations, volunteers and other forms of support. Whether you have a few hours to give, items to donate or simply want to support a local cause financially, there are plenty of ways to help.

Patch rounded up organizations and opportunities to give back in and around Anne Arundel. Needs and volunteer opportunities can change, so check directly with each organization for the latest information.

Here are some ways to make a difference in Anne Arundel this November:

Anne Arundel County Food Bank

The Anne Arundel County Food Bank, at 120 Marbury Drive in Crownsville, collects and distributes food to the pantries and soup kitchens across the county.

Shelf-stable food can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Residents can also donate online or host a food drive. Volunteers sort donated food and help with its mobile food pantry. Volunteers must be 18 or older, though children ages 8 to 16 can volunteer with a parent or guardian.

Learn more about ways to help the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

Anne Arundel County Holiday Sharing Program

The county Department of Social Services is seeking donors for its 47th annual Holiday Sharing Program, which provides holiday meals and Christmas gifts to local families and older adults in need.

Donors are matched with a senior age 65 or older or a family with at least one child 17 or younger. Individuals, businesses and community groups can register online, then deliver food and gifts or provide gift cards. Residents who don’t want to be matched can mail a check with “Holiday Sharing Program” in the memo line. Call 410-269-4462 for details or to ask about volunteer roles.

Learn more about becoming a Holiday Sharing donor.

The Light House

The Light House – Homeless Prevention Support Center, at 10 Hudson St. in Annapolis, provides shelter, meals, a food pantry and services to help people avoid or leave homelessness.

The Light House is holding its 2026 “Set the Table” Thanksgiving drive, which collects meal items for neighbors facing homelessness and food insecurity. Groups can volunteer to cook and serve a meal for residents through its Adopt-a-Meal program, and residents can shop its Amazon wish list or organize a donation drive. Call 410-268-7160 or email needs@annapolislighthouse.org before dropping off items. Volunteer questions go to volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org.

Learn more about the Light House’s Thanksgiving drive.

SPCA of Anne Arundel County

The SPCA of Anne Arundel County, at 1815 Bay Ridge Ave. in Annapolis, is the county’s oldest animal welfare organization, founded in 1920. It is a private nonprofit that receives no government funding and runs a pet food bank to help families keep their pets.

Residents can buy supplies from its Amazon wish list, which ships directly to the shelter, or drop items off during business hours. The shelter also needs trained volunteers, who must be 18 or older and commit to six hours a month for six months. It cannot accommodate short-term community service hours.

Learn more about the SPCA of Anne Arundel County wish list.

Arundel Rivers Federation

The Arundel Rivers Federation, based in Edgewater, works to protect and restore the South, West and Rhode rivers.

Volunteers plant native plants, take water samples for bacteria monitoring, build oyster cages, remove litter and invasive plants, and staff information tables at community events. The group sends volunteer alerts during the warmer months, and businesses and large groups can email info@arundelrivers.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online, by mail or through monthly giving.

Learn more about volunteering with Arundel Rivers Federation.

Anne Arundel County CASA

Anne Arundel County CASA, based in Annapolis, trains volunteers as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children from birth to 21 who have been abused or neglected and are in foster care. Each volunteer makes independent recommendations to the judge about what’s best for the child.

Residents can apply to become a CASA volunteer or donate directly through the organization’s website.

Learn more about volunteering with Anne Arundel County CASA.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake ReStore

The Glen Burnie ReStore, at 595 E. Ordnance Road, is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center run by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. Its sales help fund Habitat’s affordable homeownership work in Central Maryland.

Volunteers help accept and process donations, price items and organize the warehouse and sales floor. Volunteers must be at least 14, and those under 16 need a chaperone. Donations of furniture, appliances and building materials are accepted Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and free pickup is available for qualifying items. Contact volunteer@habitatchesapeake.org.

Learn more about the Glen Burnie ReStore.

Happy Helpers for the Homeless

Happy Helpers for the Homeless is an all-volunteer nonprofit that brings food, toiletries and clothing to people experiencing homelessness in the Glen Burnie and Baltimore areas every Saturday and Sunday, including holidays. Its headquarters is at 1550 Caton Center Drive in Halethorpe.

The group’s annual Thanksgiving Day distribution is set for Thursday, Nov. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and it is asking for many volunteers. Residents can sign up to volunteer or donate through its website.

Learn more about volunteering with Happy Helpers for the Homeless.

This isn't an exhaustive list of organizations doing good work in and around Anne Arundel. Donation needs, volunteer opportunities and hours can change, so check directly with an organization for the latest information before donating or volunteering.

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