[Get Involved Tuesdays] San Francisco Food Bank

Camilo, one of the kids at the food bank

This year, I feel so lucky to be with my family in the Bay Area for the holidays. Last year, I spent Christmas on a deserted island in Tonga. And even though a guy in a red cowboy hat roasted a pig underground for our feast, there's just nothing like being with your totally dysfunctional family during these times (that, and some Mormons were trying to actively convert me to their religion while I ate dinner on said island).

This year, it's been my mission to give back during the holidays.

A great organization that constantly requires volunteers is the San Francisco Food Bank. This isn't a kitchen. It's a distribution network for kitchens, non-profits, and homeless shelters, so your efforts would go towards packaging and distributing food instead of preparing it. And, thankfully, there are lots of good people in SF who have taken all the volunteering spots in December.

Think of this as something to put on your list of New Year's resolutions. And if you have any extra food after the holidays or want to organize a post-holiday food drive, look into dropping off food at their warehouse. You can do it any day of the year.