Posted by Dawn Griffin
Holiday Volunteering in St. Louis
A Family-Friendly Guide to Giving Back
The holidays are the perfect time to introduce kids to service—when generosity is already in the air and families are looking for meaningful traditions beyond gifts and sugar cookies. Holiday Volunteering in St. Louis is especially easy. Organizations encouraged involvement, with dozens of family-friendly volunteer opportunities that welcome kids of all ages.
Whether you want to spend a Saturday packing food, adopt a child through Angel Tree, or simply write cards at your kitchen table, this guide walks you through the best places to volunteer in St. Louis during the holidays—plus age-appropriate ideas, logistics, and even a ready-to-use family volunteer weekend plan.
High-Impact, Family-Friendly Volunteer Options in St. Louis
St. Louis Area Foodbank
What kids can do:
Sorting and packing food boxes, helping at large distribution events, labeling items, creating signs, and decorating holiday cards.
Best for:
Elementary age and up for onsite shifts; younger kids can help at home with cards and snack-bag prep.
Why families love it:
Big impact, flexible shifts, and tangible results kids can see.
The Salvation Army (Angel Tree, Red Kettle, Toy Town)
What kids can do:
Choose an Angel Tree tag and shop as a family, run a toy drive, help organize gifts, or (for teens) ring bells at kettle locations.
Best for:
All ages for donating and collecting; teens and adults for bell ringing and distribution.
Why families love it:
Angel Tree is a hands-on way for kids to connect faces to giving, and shopping together makes generosity feel personal.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis
What kids can do:
Make holiday cards, assemble care packages, help with gift shops, or assist with community meal prep (older kids and adults).
Best for:
Families with teens for on-site volunteering; younger kids thrive with crafting and card-making projects at home.
Why families love it:
You’re helping families who are far from home during difficult seasons—kids often connect deeply to the mission.
United Way
Holiday Volunteer Guide Website
This is your one-stop-shop for family-friendly holiday volunteer postings around St. Louis—from food pantries to care-package builds to toy drives.
Why families love it:
Search by age, location, and date to find one-day or short-shift opportunities that fit your schedule.
Community Coat, Toy & Holiday Distribution Events
Events like church coat drives, MAPO Holiday Shoutout, or neighborhood toy distributions pop up across the region each year.
What kids can do:
Sort donations, help hand out items, greet families, or restock tables.
Why families love it:
Short shifts + immediate gratification + meaningful community interaction.
Age-Appropriate Volunteer Ideas by Stage
Ages 3–5:
Decorate cards, stuff envelopes, create treat bags, help sort lightweight items at home or kids’ tables.
Ages 6–10:
Write notes, help assemble kits, check in volunteers, hand out programs or snacks.
Ages 11–13:
Pack food boxes, stock tables, organize toys, help with basic food prep.
Ages 14+:
Serve meals, manage check-in stations, ring kettles, lead small teams (with consent as needed).
Easy Volunteer Projects You Can Organize Quickly
- Adopt an Angel: Each child shops for one gift; wrap together as a family.
- Neighborhood Food-Packing Party: Assemble holiday meal kits or snack bags at home.
- Card & Craft Night: Make holiday cards for seniors, hospital families, or shelter kids.
- Toy or Coat Drive: Put a box at school or work; kids design flyers and track donations.
- One-Day Distribution Event: Serve meals, hand out coats, or pack groceries as a family.
How to Get Signed Up (Without Stress)
- Pick one organization or browse listings on STLVolunteer.org.
- Check age and safety requirements for each site.
- Register early—holiday shifts in St. Louis often fill by November.
- Plan clothing and transportation (layers, closed-toe shoes).
- Pack snacks, water, name tags, and a “quiet kit” for younger kids.
- Review safety and privacy rules—many organizations prohibit photos.
Make Volunteering Meaningful (Not Just a Chore)
- Tell a simple story before you go: who you’re helping and why it matters.
- Give kids real jobs (“You’re in charge of stickers”).
- Reflect afterward: What surprised you? What felt good?
- Celebrate with hot chocolate or a family ritual.
- Rotate roles each year so kids see different sides of service.
At-Home & Low-Contact Volunteer Ideas
- Write holiday cards to seniors.
- Assemble care kits (socks, toiletries, snacks).
- Host a virtual food drive.
- Record a story or message for families through partner organizations.
Final Thought
Holiday volunteering doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Pick one small thing, show your kids how to give with heart, and let the tradition grow from there.
