Thanksgiving at The Food Banks - Bringing Comfort to Those in Need

This spirit of giving has been at the heart of our work at Grandparent Merit Badges as we’ve partnered with our local community food banks throughout the year, and where we have seen firsthand how volunteering strengthens families and communities alike.

Volunteering is a wonderful gift that grandparents can share with their grandchildren and family members. It is a perfect opportunity for families to teach kids about giving.

Volunteering inspired Author Dave Grunenwald to write the award-winning children’s book Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure. The process of creating and publishing the book reflected the same spirit of giving back—donating time, helping others, and sharing meaningful conversations with his grandchildren that grew from those volunteer experiences.

These real-life family volunteering adventures mirror the message at the heart of Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure—showing children compassion in action.

At Thanksgiving, food banks and community kitchens are in great need of volunteers to serve the many who come to receive a meal. Around the country, they have excellent giving programs with real community impact. We caught up with the Cleveland Food Bank and they shared wonderful pictures of the Cleveland Browns football players giving back!

At the Cleveland Food Bank, their Thanksgiving programs are a way for the community to band together, do something wonderful, and maybe even squeeze in a photo opportunity.

Their many supportive community partners include the Cleveland Browns, and this holiday is a perfect time for the Browns to show their community pride. They play as a team and they show up as a team, donning “Browns Give Back” T-shirts.

We asked Cleveland Food Bank to share a little about their Thanksgiving Program and what volunteer activities they will expect during the holiday time.

This is what they shared:

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is looking forward to distributing healthy foods and holiday fixings to help complete a holiday meal throughout the month of November.

Last November, the Food Bank distributed nearly 5 million pounds of food to our 1000+ partnerprograms and served more than 145,000 neighbors across our service area. This year, we are planning to distribute 6 million pounds of food in the month of November to help meet the anticipated need.

Of note: The need is especially great during the holiday season, but food insecurity doesn’t end with the holidays. It continues year-round.

Here’s a look at what the Greater Cleveland Food Bank does all year round:

• Served 53,580 unique individuals at the Community Resource Center’s Market through the end of FY25.
• Need food assistance or know someone who does? Click here for resources or call our Help Center at 216-738-2067 and a Food Bank staff person will be happy to assist you.
• Volunteers for the holiday season AND throughout the rest of the year are needed. Hunger doesn’t take a break. Sign up at www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org/volunteer.
• Consider making a donation to the Food Bank. Your generosity makes all the difference!

Thank you to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and their tremendous partners. Thank you to all volunteers who make the holidays better because of your time and effort. It is so greatly appreciated!

Volunteers are special people.

Volunteering is a special kind of self-fulfilling work. It is commonly said that it is better to give than to receive, especially during the holiday season. This can be measured by reminding us of the things that are most important in our lives. We are reminded of how much we have and how special our families are.

If you are searching for your local food bank for Thanksgiving meals or food, you can check out Feeding America®. They have a search area of their website to put in your local zip code and see the organizations near you. This can be helpful for both those in need of services and for those who would like to volunteer in some way for the holiday.

Are you volunteering at your local soup kitchen or food pantry this holiday season?

Food Banks around the country need help through the holidays and year-round. You can find local food banks through Feeding America’s website here.

Tips for First-Time Volunteers

Here are a few helpful tips for volunteers:

• Wear neat and tidy clothing with close-toed shoes
  
• Keep your hair back and out of the way, in a ponytail. The organization may have a protective head cover to provide to you.
  
• Be prepared for any necessary food prep taking place in the morning hours.
  
• If you are serving on the line, remember to be courteous to those you are serving.
  
• Cleanliness and dish washing may also be needed on this very busy day.

A Beautiful Children’s Story that Inspires Giving

This Thanksgiving, we are so thankful to share more of the message of giving in our new award-winning book Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure.

In this heartwarming, educational story, Grandpa takes Lucas to the food bank to gain a better understanding of what they do. They spend time helping out. Grandpa also shows Lucas another amazing local, volunteer-led group, The Sandwich People. The Sandwich People Ministries prepares delicious lunches and delivers them to food insecure individuals. Through the story, Lucas gains a very special understanding of the things that go on when volunteers and organizers care about their community and use small ways to make a big impact.

You can purchase your copy of our heartwarming story here to share with your family this holiday season.As we celebrate this season of gratitude, we invite you to share the spirit of giving with your own family. Lucas and Emily’s Food Bank Adventure is a heartwarming way to spark conversations about kindness, community, and helping neighbors in need. Consider reading it together, gifting a copy to a child or grandchild, or exploring volunteer opportunities as a family. Small acts of service create lifelong memories — and together, we can make a meaningful difference this holiday season.

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Grandparent Merit Badges®

Photo Credits:‍

Cleveland Browns - “Browns Give Back.” Courtesy of Cleveland Food Bank