5 Simple Ways to Give Back During the Holidays
Giving back is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, and there are several ways to do that after the holidays. Many refer to the holiday season as a “season of giving,” but that doesn’t just mean giving presents to family and friends.
There are many people in the world who need a little extra support during the holidays. Here are five easy ways to make a difference in the coming weeks.
1. Give Food
Food insecurity is a significant problem, and providing it can keep families fed past the holiday season.
Over 10% of families in the United States were food insecure in 2021, making them unable to get the necessary nourishment. An overabundance of food goes to waste each year, and passing on nutritious items can really help those in need.
Most areas have a local food bank where you can donate nonperishable food, like cans of fruits and vegetables, crackers and dehydrated meals. If you live near a hospital, you can provide food at a family house, where patients’ loved ones stay.
Another option is to reach out to a local homeless shelter and see if you can donate fresh food for residents to eat.
Websites like Feeding America provide locations closest to you if you’re unsure where to donate.
2. Pass on Your Clothing
Clothing is a need year-round for many tight on cash. If you have extra clothes during the holidays, consider passing them on to those in need.
There are several ways to donate your clothing, including at nonprofit organizations and in donation boxes.
- Homeless and emergency shelters: Local shelters often accept clothing donations for their residents. Some organizations even offer “career closets” of donated dress clothes for people in need preparing for job interviews.
- Relief organizations: Organizations like the American Red Cross and Salvation Army accept clothing for victims of natural disasters.
- Domestic violence shelters: Many local domestic violence shelters accept clothes for survivors who need them.
- Low-cost thrift stores: You can donate clothing to stores like Goodwill, which sell clothes with low-income families in mind.
- Donation boxes: Some nonprofit organizations like Planet Aid place bins in various locations on the street or in parking lots. Collected clothing goes to low-cost thrift stores.
Donating your gently used clothing frees up room in your closet and gives your clothing new life.
3. Donate Your Money
Several organizations use monetary donations to purchase supplies and fund research for various worthy causes.
Medical organizations like the American Cancer Society and Doctors Without Borders fund research and provide care to sick individuals. The same goes for other care categories, including humanitarian and personal donation sites. PLEASE remember the animals during this time and at all times. There are so many Shelters and Rescues that need your help. Check out Saturday Posts “Down The Rabbit Hole” for a great list of Rescues in need.
You can also spend your money in ways that support organizations, like when lotteries fund educational activities or grocery stores donate to food banks.
Donating your funds allows organizations to decide how they’re best used. Some charities prefer monetary donations and others prefer items. It’s best to do a quick search before giving.
4. Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is another way you can give back. If you don’t have the money to donate after the holidays, consider giving your time instead.
You can volunteer to help with many worthy causes, such as collecting items at a drive, serving food at a soup kitchen or reading to children, volunteering to walk precious pups at your local Animal Shelter or help play with the kitties or run food drive for them!
One way to volunteer your time is by giving blood. Donations typically fall in the winter, so volunteering your time and an arm can save lives.
Another way to volunteer your time is to make the Earth a healthier place for future generations by cleaning up the environment. You can walk along trails or by the water and pick up the trash others left behind to fight pollution.
Volunteering your time to help others makes a personal connection with those you help. For many, that’s what makes volunteering worth it.
5. Raise Awareness
Another way to give back is by raising awareness of causes that need attention. If you can’t donate your time, money or resources, raising awareness is an easy way to make a difference.
You can raise awareness for a cause you care about by posting on social media, handing out informational materials, and talking to family and friends. Let them know about the problems and how they can help solve them.
Raising awareness is important because it helps put the topic on others’ minds. People will be more likely to help if you bring up the issue. Promote a lesser-known cause so others understand the need for help or keep the attention on those more in the spotlight.
Giving Back
There are many benefits to giving back during the holidays. While the season is full of joy and abundance for some, it comes with hardships for others. The best way to share your blessings during the holidays is by giving to those most in need. Happy holidays!
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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