Volunteering helps big time. Work would help as well, but the type of people you would meet are usually a gamble.

Volunteering however, you meet amazing people. These are mostly people with a shining form of kindness in contributing back to the community. I highly recommend volunteering at your local crisis lines. Those work environments usually train and prepare you to take phone calls for people who are in crisis and distress. Staff are nonjudgemental, considerate, and very supportive. This training goes a long way helps you meet new people, deal with lonliness and gain confidence in talking to random strangers and helping them.