All Of It – Holiday Volunteering in NYC

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Sapreet Saluja, Executive Director of New York Cares
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart explores holiday volunteering opportunities across New York City. She’s joined by Sapreet Saluja of New York Cares, who highlights a diverse range of ways New Yorkers can give back during the holiday season, from coat drives to food pantries, youth programming, and beyond. The show also includes calls and messages from listeners sharing personal volunteering stories and favorite organizations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Giving and Volunteering Opportunities (00:09–01:10)

• Prompted by WNYC’s own holiday blood drive, Alison introduces the episode’s focus: practical, local ways to give back during the holiday season.
• Call-to-action: Listeners are encouraged to call or text in with their own volunteering experiences.

2. The Iconic New York Cares Coat Drive (01:12–02:52)

• How It Works: Donate gently-used coats at public collection sites like fire battalion houses, transit hubs, churches, and schools (01:26).
• What Happens Next: “Our partners at UPS and Piece of Cake, Moving & Storage… get them to our warehouse where volunteers sort the coats. They check them for dignity. We have folks who launder the coats… And then nonprofits across the city come with their shopping list… and distribute them across the five boroughs.” — Sapreet Saluja (01:36)
• Notable Quote: “We would love for you to reach into your closet, find that coat that has another life, that you are ready to share with another New Yorker.” — Sapreet Saluja (01:26)
• How to Participate: Find the nearest collection point via newyorkcares.org.

3. Clothing Distribution with RMM (Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries) (02:56–04:07)

• Volunteers help with winter clothing distribution, assisting clients in finding what they need on-site.
• How to Join: Use New York Cares’ platform to sort opportunities by organization, time, borough, or issue area (03:39).
• Notable Quote: “You choose the cause and you be the effect.” — Sapreet Saluja (03:42)

4. Listener Volunteering Stories

• Fab Scrap (04:15)

• One listener shares their experience sorting recycled textiles, noting “for three hours of helping sort fabric… you get five pounds of fabric for free from their store. It’s an incredible organization.”

5. Fighting Food Insecurity

• Westside Campaign Against Hunger (05:18–06:22)

• Provides healthy food and wrap-around services such as SNAP, housing, and healthcare support.
• Volunteer Roles: Sorting, packing, distributing food; assisting with benefits applications.
• Notable Moment: Saluja calls it “uplifting” to help families put food on the table (05:18).
• Located on the Upper West Side.

• New York Common Pantry (06:22–07:13)

• “They distribute pantry packages and hot meals, but also support their clients in financial and wellness education… to make sure that they’re getting the wraparound support that they need.” — Sapreet Saluja (06:35)

6. Humane Society Volunteering (07:13)

• A listener shares about volunteering at Newark Associated Humane Society: “I pet the adorable cats… you can also walk really sweet dogs. Animals need the human love until they find their forever home.”

7. Secret Snowflake & Gift Drives (07:17–08:19)

• “Secret Snowflake” connects donors directly to holiday wishes of children in need.

8. KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) – Programs for Youth with Disabilities (08:19–09:43)

• One-on-one physical activity and recreation for youth with disabilities.
• Volunteer Experience: “You get to hang out with these fabulous kids and just have a blast… Everyone… is smiling and laughing, having a great time, and ready to come back for more.” — Sapreet Saluja (08:35)
• No prior experience necessary; team leaders provide guidance (09:02).

9. Encouragement for New Volunteers (09:43–10:22)

• Addressing first-time-volunteer nerves: “There is a New York Cares team leader there, warm and welcoming… What I hear from our volunteers is that they’re surprised they get to make a difference and experience so much joy at the same time.” — Sapreet Saluja (09:51)

10. Listener Calls: More Volunteering Stories (10:24–13:51)

• Lifeforce in Later Years (LiLY) (10:29)

• “It helps the elderly stay in their homes… You can just sit with someone that’s lonely. You can walk their dog. It’s amazing.” — Margit from Manhattan (10:29)

• Culture Lab LIC (11:13)

• Free arts programs, volunteers create and help with events; shared by Zoe Morissette, who also noted her historic sculpture for the coat drive (11:47).

• Toy Box NYC, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, student mentoring and more highlighted by listeners via text.

11. Student Success Program (12:31–13:51)

• Volunteers support kids in grades 3-8 with academic and emotional development—lesson plans, coaching, and building resilience.
• Key Point: “For so many kids, just knowing that there is an adult who wants to work with them, who sees them, who values them… it can make a huge difference.” — Sapreet Saluja (13:32)

12. More Listener Recommendations (13:51–14:14)

• Tony’s Kitchen: Volunteering in soup kitchens and thrift stores is valuable—perfect for those who may prefer less social but helpful roles (13:54).
• Island Harvest: A large food pantry on Long Island.

13. Music for Autism (14:14–14:56)

• Offers “fully subsidized, autism-friendly interactive concerts… There are lots of different ways to volunteer with them. It’s a really joyful experience.” — Sapreet Saluja (14:23)

14. St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen (14:56)

• Located on 46th St, serves 125–300 people every Tues/Thurs, plus annual coat drive.

15. New York Cares Financial Aid Assistance (15:30–16:15)

• Volunteers help high schoolers and families fill out FAFSA forms.
• Why It Matters: “It’s really important to be one of those volunteers that really makes a difference in a family’s trajectory.” — Sapreet Saluja (15:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You choose the cause and you be the effect.” — Sapreet Saluja (03:42)
• “There is so much you can do. You should just take the plunge.” — Sapreet Saluja (09:32)
• “What I hear from our volunteers over and over is that they’re surprised they actually get to make a difference and experience so much joy at the same time.” — Sapreet Saluja (09:54)
• “For so many kids, just knowing that … there is an adult who wants to work with them, who sees them, who values them… it can make a huge difference.” — Sapreet Saluja (13:32)
• “It helps the elderly stay in their homes … seniors waiting for volunteers right now, so Google it, please.” — Margit about LiLY (10:29)
• “I am actually the sculptor who made the homeless Statue of Liberty for the New York Harris Coat drive back in 1991.” — Zoe Morissette (11:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|------------------------------------------| | 00:09 | Introduction to holiday giving | | 01:12 | New York Cares Coat Drive | | 02:56 | RMM winter clothing volunteering | | 04:15 | Listener on Fab Scrap | | 05:18 | Westside Campaign Against Hunger | | 06:22 | New York Common Pantry | | 07:13 | Humane Society animal volunteering | | 07:17 | Secret Snowflake – Children’s gifts | | 08:19 | KEEN – Kids Enjoy Exercise Now | | 09:43 | Advice for first-time volunteers | | 10:29 | Margit on LiLY (elderly support) | | 11:13 | Zoe on Culture Lab LIC | | 11:47 | Zoe on Statue of Liberty sculpture | | 12:31 | Student Success youth mentoring | | 13:54 | Soup kitchens, Island Harvest mentions | | 14:23 | Music for Autism programs | | 14:56 | St. Luke’s soup kitchen & coat drive | | 15:30 | Financial aid/FAFSA volunteering | | 16:24 | Holiday closing remarks |

Conclusion

This episode serves as both an inspiring call to action and a practical guide for anyone looking to give back in New York over the holidays. With diverse opportunities—large and small, social and behind-the-scenes—there’s a way for everyone to contribute. Through volunteer stories and expert guidance, the show underscores the joy and impact of service, community connection, and the spirit of giving that makes New York City unique.

Learn more about volunteering opportunities or sign up at newyorkcares.org.