Help in #DeliveringThanksgiving to 2000 families this year!
Volunteer
2026 Basket Brigade Volunteer Opportunities
Our vision is to grow our community of volunteers, so that the gift of giving can grow, and support struggling families each year at Thanksgiving with the vision that someday these families can pay it forward. We welcome individuals, teams, families and groups. Young children are encouraged to help because it is never too early to learn that The Secret to Living is Giving!
We will be at Harper College in Palatine for a fantastic 2-day event! All meals will be packed on Saturday, November 21st and delivered on Sunday, November 22nd beginning at 9am.
Register to pack or deliver – or both! There are several time slots available; pick one (or more!) that fit your schedule. (Click on the links below for a description of each position.)
NEW THIS YEAR: Enter through the lobby and head upstairs to room W-214 & W-216 for opening remarks and instructions. (Coats and belongings can be left here or in your vehicle.) There are stairs and an elevator. Snacks, coffee, etc. are located in room W-202a and W-202b, just down the hall.
Please note that we have a limited number of ASSEMBLY DAY volunteer spots available. To ensure a comfortable and safe environment for everyone, we require 1 ticket per person. If we have an overwhelming response, we will open up a waitlist.
Enjoy working behind the scenes? We would love to have your help on our committee! Our committee works tirelessly all year long writing and applying for grants, fundraising, securing food donations/purchases, working on various public relations campaigns, social media updates and photography for our events. Contact us at [email protected]; we would love to have you on our team!
Be sure to use the hashtag #DeliveringThanksgiving for all of your social media posts!
2026 VOLUNTEER INFORMATION (click link for job description & sign up)
**SUNDAY**
Sunday, Delivery Day, November 22nd
GROUND CREW (50 Friends per shift):
Sunday-Ground Crew, 7:30am-11:30am
Sunday-Ground Crew, 11:30am-2:30pm
CAR LINE/PORTILLO’S PERSON (2 friends per shift):
Sunday-Car Line/Portillo’s Person, 7:30am-11:30am
Sunday-Car Line/Portillo’s Person, 11:30am-2:00pm
DELIVERY (50 Friends per shift – keep coming back until they are gone!):
Sunday-Delivery, 9:00am-10:00am
Sunday-Delivery, 10:00am-11:00am
Sunday-Delivery, 11:00am-12:00pm
Sunday-Delivery, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Sunday-Delivery, 1:00pm-2:00pm
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Use #DeliveringThanksgiving for all of your social media posts!
**FRIDAY** FULL
Friday, SET UP, Nov 20th (50 friends needed)
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**SATURDAY** FULL
Saturday, Packing/Assembly Day, Nov 21st
TABLE TEAM (22 Friends per shift): FULL
Saturday-Assembly TABLE TEAM, 8:30am – 10:00am
Saturday-Assembly TABLE TEAM, 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday-Assembly TABLE TEAM, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Saturday-Assembly TABLE TEAM, 4:00pm-6:00pm
TAPE TEAM (10 Friends per shift): FULL
Saturday-Assembly TAPE TEAM, 8:30am – 10:00am
Saturday-Assembly TAPE TEAM, 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday-Assembly TAPE TEAM, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Saturday-Assembly TAPE TEAM, 4:00pm-6:00pm
ASSEMBLY (100 Friends per shift): FULL
Saturday-Assembly, 8:30am – 10:00am
Saturday-Assembly, 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday-Assembly, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Saturday-Assembly, 4:00pm-6:00pm
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