Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we can almost smell the turkey, pumpkin pie and apple cider. It’s a time to gather with family and friends, and to give thanks for everything we have. But what about those who are less fortunate? You can show your gratitude by giving back for the holiday. Here are five ways how:

1. Feed the Hungry

This is the most obvious choice. Each year, both area and national nonprofits strive to give a proper Thanksgiving dinner to those in need. DC Central Kitchen needs at least 400 whole turkeys, as well as sides and pies to provide 5,000 Thanksgiving meals to clients. Feeding America can distribute 22 meals for every dollar donated. Have a sweet tooth? Buy a pie to help Food & Friends deliver meals to homebound DC residents.

2. Step Lively

Fun fact: Before a Turkey Trot was a Thanksgiving morning 5K, it was a ragtime-era dance.

Thanksgiving is a good time for charity runs and fitness challenges. It helps us feel less guilty about that second (okay, fourth) slice of pie. Take part in Everyday Hero’s Thanksgiving Charity Challenge to help your workout pay off for you and your favorite cause. Or join So Some Others Might Eat on Thanksgiving morning for DC’s only annual Turkey Trot. NoVa residents can trot with Christ Church of Arlington to benefit several area organizations.

3. Attend a Fundraiser

Enjoy a parents’ night out Friendsgiving with Frances Hazel Reid Elementary and the Backpack Friends initiative to help provide weekend food for children in need. If a 5K isn’t your bag, you can still help out SOME at a Thanksgiving Holiday Soirée. Or attend the Chronicopia Harvest dinner and cooking demo to benefit Bread for the City and Capital Area Food Bank.

4. Volunteer!

Giving food or money is always wonderful, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like giving your time. The Jewish Community Center needs help setting up for Monday and Tuesday Thanksgiving dinners. Assemble and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to area seniors and families with We Are Family and Family Matter of Greater Washington. Help So What Else lead a service fair for the students of DC Prep Ex.

5. Adopt a Turkey!

No, not as a pet. Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary has been raising awareness for animal welfare. Save Tom Turkey from the dinner table. Try this vegducken instead.

She's a chef, TV host, cookbook author and soon-to-be restaurant owner. Carla Hall took time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about one of her favorite organizations, DC Central Kitchen, and to answer some fun questions just for you!

Is it scientifically possible to eat just one your Petite Cookies?
“No! You don’t have to choose just one. There’s a smorgasboard.”

What is your favorite cooking smell?
“That’s hard! Would it be a cake in the oven, or my grandmother’s cornbread… let’s say bread baking. I have this fascination with bread baking…”

What is your least favorite cooking smell?
"Being from the South, it would have to be something like pig’s feet, that smells really funky, or chitlins…. When you’re like “what the hell?”

With all due respect to your husband, do you have any celebrity crushes?
“My husband knows I have a crush on Jamie Oliver. I told Jamie “it’s okay, my husband knows that I love you, too.”

What is, no holds barred, no political correctness, no apologies, the best kind of pie to have at Thanksgiving?
“I honestly would like peach cobbler. I honestly know peaches aren’t in season, but if I had some canned, I would do a peach cobbler. Or cherry. Sour cherry cobbler.”

Play a round of ‘Bang, Marry, Kill’ with your gentlemen co-stars (Clinton Kelly, Michael Symon, Mario Batali)
Aw, dang, this is going to be so hard… Marry Clinton.. oh wow… this is like asking, which of your brothers would you bang or kill? I’ll kill both of them! I’m more grossed out by the bang part than I am by the kill part. I wouldn’t want to bang either of them… you’re giving me the willies! Okay, bang Michael, kill Mario… Gross!

Why is The Daily Do Good truly awesome?
The Daily Do Good is awesome because 1) it reminds you to do good, 2) they do with a smile and laughter, and 3) they ask you tough questions that you all want to hear.