The holidays are a great time to spend time with family and friends and to give to others. And while it’s easy to get wrapped up in our personal lives, it’s important to remember that not everyone is as fortunate. Underserved communities and those who are going through financial hardship can experience incredible difficulties during the holidays. That’s why it’s so crucial to give back to those in need! The joys of holiday giving span from seeing kid’s faces light up with a brand-new wrapped toy to the happiness of seeing a Christmas tree lit up for the first time.
We have a few ideas on what you can do to help give back to your community this holiday season.
Set Up a Holiday Food Drive
One of the best ways you can help spread the pure joy of the holiday season is to set up a holiday food drive to help those in need. It’s a simple way to offer a meal to someone who may not otherwise have access to one. To set up a food drive, you should first decide what group you would like to support. If you’re not sure, you can get in touch with your local food bank for ideas. Next, you’ll need to decide on how and where you want to collect food and set a timeline. Be sure to keep in mind what types of food are most needed and what will be accepted – many organizations prefer canned and dry goods. When setting your timeline, keep in mind that you will want to give time for people to purchase and bring in their donations, so you’ll want to provide a few weeks if possible. During the food drive, it’s a good idea to remind people that there’s still time to bring goods. Once the deadline comes, you can bring the food to the organization!
Donate a Gift
Unfortunately, there are families out there experiencing circumstances that make it so they simply cannot afford to purchase gifts for the holidays. This season, you can give back by donating a gift to an organization or by sponsoring a family. When you sponsor a family, you can provide gifts for the season for one or multiple children. In either instance, you’ll be able to give back to a family in need and help to make the season bright and joyous! What better way to spend the season and experience the greatness of the holidays than by donating to those in need?
Volunteer Your Time
No matter your passion, volunteering your time is always an amazing way to help out in your community. Plus, there are many places and organizations where you can do so! During the holiday season, consider volunteering at a local shelter where you can serve meals to those in need. You can also think about going to a local nursing home where you can spend time with the residents. You may be surprised at just how much fun you have!
If you’re a dog-lover, you can also volunteer at a local pet shelter. Dogs and cats need love near the holidays too, and there’s often a need for additional help. You may even get to play with the animals in the shelter!