6 Julio 2026

Every year on Nelson Mandela International Day, we are invited to devote 67 minutes to helping others. That is one minute for each year Nelson Mandela spent as a public servant.

Activities are organized by the UN Department of Global Communications, the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly, the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN and the New York City Mayor’s Office of International Affairs. This year, there are nine opportunities across four organizations for the UN community to connect with our New York City neighbours.

  • All volunteering opportunities can be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
  • The deadline to sign up for all activities is Friday, 10 July.

 

Friday, 17 July

  1. Serving Breakfast – The Bowery Mission

Volunteers to serve breakfast to people in need in lower Manhattan.

Date: Friday, 17 July

Time: 7:00am - 9:30am

Location: Bowery Campus – 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002

5 spots available

Dress code: Kitchen dress code is critical to ensure the safety of volunteers food quality.

  • Closed-toed shoes and clothing that completely covers chest, shoulders, underarms, torso and knees.
  • Hairnets (provided by The Bowery Mission) or a hat/cap (brought by the volunteer).
  • Gloves and aprons (provided by The Bowery Mission).

Register individually by 10 July: https://vhub.at/unitednationsjw

  1. Serving Lunch – Refettorio Harlem Volunteering

Next to Marcus Garvey Park, Refettorio Harlem invites the UN community to serve lunch to people living with food insecurity at communal tables in upper Manhattan.

Date: Friday, 17 July 

Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: 39 W 119th St, New York, NY 10026

20-25 spots available

Dress Code: All volunteers involved in food preparation or serving food to guests must wear closed-toed shoes, covered shoulders & sleeved shirts and hair tied back.

Register individually by 10 July: https://forms.gle/Paan8Vnhx6mXbpmKA and

Complete this waiver before the event day: https://app.hellosign.com/s/KdFsugcN  

 

Saturday, 18 July & Thursday, 23 July

 

  1. Pantry Distribution Community Help in Park Slope – CHiPS

Community Help in Park Slope, CHiPS, offers opportunities at two of their Pantry Distribution Centers. Volunteers help offer take-home grocery items for people in need.

Date: Saturday, 18 July

Time: 12:00pm - 3:30pm

Location: 177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 – Ingersoll Community Center

10 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: https://volunteer.chipsonline.org/registrations/LHqNnKGi9C/claim_spot

Date: Thursday, 23 July 

Time: 10:30am - 1:15pm

Location: 200 4th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217

8 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: https://volunteer.chipsonline.org/registrations/DFo0IfLU7u/claim_spot

 

Friday, 17 July & Friday, 24 July

 

  1.  Opportunities with Encore Community Services

Volunteers will deliver meals to homebound older adults on Manhattan’s West Side, between 14th and 110th Streets. Volunteers receive a brief orientation before completing deliveries on foot or by Lyft, which Encore covers.  Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes are required.

Volunteers are also needed to support kitchen preparation and lunch service at Encore’s community center. Responsibilities include serving meals, bussing tables, pouring coffee, preparing take-home meals, and socializing with older adults. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting dirty and closed-toed shoes.

Please use the registration links below – use the password “Mandela” for each.

 

Friday, 17 July:

  1. Meal Delivery to Homebound Older Adults
    1. Time: 10am - 12:30pm
    2. Location: 239 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
    3. 5 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: Meal Delivery to Homebound Older Adults, 10am-12:30pm, 5 volunteers, 239 W 49th St 

  1. Kitchen Prep & Lunch Service
    1. Time: 11am - 1pm
    2. Location: 239 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
    3. 5 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: Kitchen Prep & Lunch Service, 11am – 1pm, 5 volunteers, 239 W 49th St

 

  1. Ice Cream Social
    1. Time: 1:45pm - 2pm
    2. Location: 755 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019
    3. 5 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: Ice Cream Social, 1:45pm – 2pm, 5 volunteers, 755 10th Ave

 

Friday, 24 July:

  1. Meal Delivery to Homebound Older Adults
    1. Time: 10am - 12:30pm
    2. Location: 239 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
    3. 15 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: Meal Delivery to Homebound Older Adults, 10am-12:30pm, 15 volunteers, 239 W 49th St

 

  1. Kitchen Prep & Lunch Service
    1. Time: 1pm - 2:30pm
    2. Location: 239 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019
    3. 10 spots available

Register individually by 10 July: Kitchen Prep & Lunch Service, 1pm – 2:30pm, 10 volunteers, 239 W 49th St

Please wear your Mandela Day T-shirt from previous years if you have one.