Any volunteers?

“I’ve helped students with college applications and financial-aid applications, I’ve gone on college trips and I climbed over 10,000 stairs so that every student has a shot at going to college.” —Eddie Lou, mentor at US Empowered, who participated in Climb to Empower last month.

This year’s economic downslide might be bruising your finances, but it’s opening a can of whoop-ass on local charities. So instead of gluing your eyes on the ole’ plummeting 401k, spend time helping others this holiday season. We’ll publish weekly volunteer opportunities and update a list of charities in need at timeoutchicago.com/aroundtown. For now, remember: It’s not just the soup kitchens that need some love come Thanksgiving. About a zillion charities could use a hand over the next few months. Hey, your business is down the crapper anyway, right? Might as well use your mad talent for good deeds.

Your talent: Book smarts
Sorry, George, but many a child is left behind. According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately half of students who enter the Chicago Public School system don’t graduate. US Empowered aims to give inner-city students college-prep courses—rarely expected of such students. In Acing the ACT, volunteers help prep students one-on-one for the college-entrance exam. Volunteers also organize fund-raising events, like the recent thigh-bulker, the Climb to Empower. Board members climbed stairs equaling the heights of the five tallest buildings in Chicago. In doing so, they raised almost two bucks a step. Call 312-371-6161 or visit USEmpowered.org.

Your talent: Road warring
You may not want to contemplate it as you start thinking about cooking your gluttonous Thanksgiving spread, but people right here in our own city lack access to nutritious food. The Common Pantry, serving the city’s North Side since 1967, offers qualifying area residents monthly allotments of produce, canned goods, frozen foods, other groceries, and health and beauty supplies at no cost. Volunteers with cars are needed to deliver items to elderly and disabled clients one Saturday morning a month. Call 773-327-0553 or visit Commonpantry.org.

Your talent: Wordsmithing
Around 44 million adults in the U.S. cannot read a story to a child, and here in Chicago, 53 percent of adults have low or limited literacy skills. That spells trouble. Open Books is a nonprofit bookstore, literacy community center and volunteer corps dedicated to raising awareness about illiteracy, improving reading skills and spreading the love of books in Chicago and beyond. Volunteers serve as reading and writing coaches for kids and teens, and literacy teachers for adults and ESL students. Contribute as much or as little as your schedule permits—all ages, including kids, are welcome. Visit open-books.org or call 312-492-4079.