6 July 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 Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Department of Global Communications, the Office of the President of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ General Assembly, the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and the New York City Mayor¡¯s Office of International Affairs. This year, there are nine opportunities across four organizations for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ 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 Monday, 13 July.

 

Friday, 17 July

  • Serving Breakfast ¨C

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

Date: Friday, 17 July

Time: 7:00am - 9:30am

Location: Bowery Campus ¨C 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:

 

Saturday, 18 July & Thursday, 23 July

  • Pantry Distribution

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 ¨C Ingersoll Community Center

10 spots available

Register individually by 10 July:

Date: Thursday, 23 July 

Time: 10:30am - 1:15pm

Location: 200 4th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217

8 spots available

Register individually by 10 July:

 

Friday, 17 July & Friday, 24 July

  • Opportunities with

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 ¨C use the password ¡°Mandela¡± for each.

 

Friday, 17 July:

  • 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:  

  • 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:

  • 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:

 

Friday, 24 July:

  • 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:

  • 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:

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