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For people who want to give a little time and effort to help those in need this Thanksgiving, several organizations in Berkeley would be happy to receive a helping hand. 

The Berkeley Food and Housing Project is looking for volunteers to help serve and prepare meals. The nonprofit needs about 10 volunteers for a Thanksgiving Day lunch at the Trinity Methodist Church at 2362 Bancroft Way. Food will be served at noon, and volunteers are asked to arrive at 11 a.m. 

Then at 7 p.m. at the North County Women’s Center at 2140 Dwight Way, the group will be serving a Thanksgiving dinner. Five volunteers will be needed at the center at 3 p.m. to help prepare the meal and an additional five volunteers will be needed at 6 p.m. to help serve it. 

Anybody interested in helping prepare dinner at the women’s center should contact Jamie Boreen at 649-4965, extension 315. Those who would like to serve dinner or volunteer for the lunch should contact Emily Bonelli-Padow at 649-4694, extension 312. 

At 10 a.m. the McGee Avenue Baptist Church at 1140 Stuart St. will welcome volunteers to help serve and prepare the church’s annual Thanksgiving Day lunch. 

Also, St. Paul AME Church at 2024 Ashby Ave. will be serving lunch to those in need. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Denise Lenire at 848-2050. 

For those interested to volunteer year-round, the Alameda County Community Food Bank offers opportunities with different member organizations and can be reached at 834-3663, extension 308. 

—Matthew Artz