Families across the country are making the final preparations for their Christmas celebrations. Party invitations are sent, meal ingredients shopped for, and the last items on those Christmas lists are being checked off one by one. Invariably, there are quite a few families that are searching for ways to celebrate in one of the true meanings of the season…’tis better to give than to receive. As life and statistics would have it, there are plenty of people that would benefit from a little charity this time of year. Too many. Accordingly, more than any other time of year, many search for a way to teach their families, demonstrate their faith, or simply pay it forward.
So, how can you help?
- Shelters: “Soup Kitchens” are always in need of volunteers. However, this is a popular way to give back during the holidays. So, if this is your chosen way to demonstrate/teach charity, schedule your efforts. You don’t want to ruin your experience if you have to be turned away at the door because they have too much help.
- Food Pantries/Food Drives: Give to or organize a food drive. Pantries and shelters are taxed at this time of year. Inventory is depleted as need grows and any help, goes a long way and can be the difference between a meal and going hungry to those in need. *Maximize your impact by organizing a drive through work, a religious institution or neighborhood drives.
- Coat/Blanket Drive: Many shelters do not have enough room for everyone during winter months. Coat/blanket drives provide some measure of warmth for homeless that are turned away from shelters. Many drives also provide donations to needy & low-income who are in need, also. This may be a way to impact someone a little closer to home, for someone may be in need as close as next door.
- Care Packages: This has become a popular charitable effort as of late. Many people choose not to give to someone who approaches them for help on the street, or hold signs asking for help. The conventional wisdom is, “You don’t know what they’re going to do with it.” Care packages can be given instead of money. Packages typically include items like: deodorant, first-aid items, water, sanitary/hygiene items, protein bars, lotion, soap, etc.
- Purge and Donate: All of the items that you’ve been squirreling away for the yard sale that you’ve never had, can be of more use than you realize. Yes, some (gently used) items can be turned over and given to the needy. However, all kinds of items in your home may be donated to organizations for sale where the proceeds can do a world of good.
- Angel Tree: If you would like to have a more specific recipient for your gift-giving, “Angel Trees” are an option. You can find them in malls or many businesses and large corporations sponsor such activity as a part of corporate giving. Idea being, families are asked specifics about what they want for Christmas, provide those to the organizing entity, and then participants can choose families to buy specific gifts for.
However you choose to give back…GIVE BACK! Something as significant to you as a can of food, a plastic bag of everyday items, or an old couch could bring so much joy to another. You don’t even have to spend any money to affect another’s life for the better. How can you beat that? HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
