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I am probably going to be by myself during the holidays and instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for myself, I’d like to get out. Do you have information on volunteer opportunities for both Christmas and Thanksgiving? Also, are there any groups of people, also alone, who get together for potlucks? Thanks! — Barb, Central Point If it’s any consolation, Barb, you are far from alone when it comes to being alone on the holidays. We get asked every year about activities for people who will be on their own for Thanksgiving and Christmas. To enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner while also lending a hand, you can volunteer for the free Ashland community dinner this Thursday, Nov. 22. The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the meal served between noon and 2 p.m. at the Ashland Community Center and Pioneer Hall, located at 59 and 73 Winburn Way across from Lithia Park. Dozens have already signed up to help, but volunteers are still needed to work in the kitchen, wash dishes and clean up. To sign up for a shift, visit https://bit.ly/2PLmZks. Sponsored by Ashland Community Peace Meal and Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, the event had more than 150 guests last year and organizers expect more this year. On Christmas day, Ashland will again host a community meal with the Free Community Christmas Dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., Ashland. Volunteers are needed in the days before the meal as well as on Christmas, and to deliver holiday meals in the Ashland and Talent area. To volunteer, contact Heather at Ashland Christian Fellowship at 541-482-8539 or email [email protected]. The church joins with local merchants and volunteers to present the buffet-style turkey dinner with side dishes, desserts and live holiday music. As for your question about potlucks, the Mail Tribune generally doesn’t get press releases about potlucks that are open to all-comers because those aren’t allowed under Oregon food sanitation rules. Office and church potlucks are allowed, but some who have tried to organize large everyone-bring-something meals have been told by county officials they have to cancel or change the source of the food to be eligible to hold a public event. The state law is meant to help prevent food-borne illness. Many groups avoid the problem by meeting at restaurants when the general public is invited. Throughout the year, fans of outdoor activities are welcome to join Slopes and Trails for regular outings to local restaurants. Participants mingle and meet new friends at 5 p.m., then eat at 6 p.m. The group’s next public outing is Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, at Jefferson Spirits, 404 E. Main St., Medford. On Nov. 30, Slopes and Trails will visit Wild River Pizza, 2684 N. Pacific Highway, Medford. For updates on club activities, including volunteering in the community, visit www.slopes.org. The Ashland Newcomers group is for people who moved to Ashland and the surrounding area. It includes those new to the area, as well as others who have stayed involved for years after making friends through the group. Ashland Newcomers meets for social events, activities such as card-playing and wine-tasting, and to learn about volunteer opportunities. The group’s Women’s Breakfast is at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of each month at Brickroom, 35 N. Main St., Ashland. RSVP by emailing [email protected]. The Men’s Breakfast is at 8 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Breadboard Restaurant, 744 N. Main St., Ashland. A reservation isn’t needed. Just look for a group of about a dozen friendly men. For more information, email [email protected]. Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for its Rogue Valley Mall gift-wrapping station — a major fundraiser for the home-building organization. Volunteers need to attend a one-hour orientation at the Habitat administrative office at 2201 S. Pacific Highway, Medford, at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, Nov. 29, Dec. 4 or Dec. 6. There is also a noon orientation on Dec. 1. Volunteers can then fill morning, noon or evening gift-wrapping shifts at the mall from Dec. 8 through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24. For more information, call 541-779-1983. Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers year-round for building, but also to help with office tasks and to serve on various committees focused on everything from selecting families to become Habitat homeowners to planning youth programs. People ages 55 and over can learn about a variety of volunteer opportunities offered through the Community Volunteer Network. Opportunities include helping struggling students through the Foster Grandparent Program, taking people to medical appointments through Call-A-Ride, giving caregivers a respite break and more. Call 541-857-7780 or visit https://www.retirement.org/about/volunteer-network. To make furry friends, volunteer with the Friends of the Animal Shelter, which helps the shelter in Jackson County. Volunteers are needed to walk dogs, pet and socialize cats, provide foster homes for pets and help with special events, like fundraising dog washes and the annual Puss ‘n Boots Costume Ball and Silent Auction. Call 541-774-6651 or email [email protected]. A small sampling of other organizations that welcome volunteers include Providence Medford Medical Center, Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, Ashland Independent Film Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, St. Vincent de Paul, Court Appointed Special Advocates and Start Making A Reader Today (SMART) program. Service clubs include Rotary for the business community and Soroptomist International, a group for women who want to help other women and girls. Both of those groups have several local chapters that meet regularly for meals and service projects. When you aren’t volunteering and just want to have some fun and meet other people, check the Mail Tribune’s weekly arts and entertainment guide Tempo. It has listings for a wide gamut of interest groups and activities, including book clubs, movies and art activities at library branches, author talks, sewing, quilting, embroidering, cribbage, knitting, singing, trivia contests, wood carving, foreign language groups, vintage car enthusiasts, ice skating and performances. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.