With a lot of people feeling the need to consider the less fortunate, the holiday season produces a wave of donations to food pantries and soup kitchens. Pantries and kitchens are typically places for needy people to go for food, and supplies beyond what they need to eat. When giving things to outreach groups, it is important to remember that people in need are the same as any other people, with likes and dislikes, so it’s best to keep in mind that if you wouldn’t use or eat the thing you’re giving, give something else. Here are some suggestions for holiday gifts you can give the outreach groups of your community.
1) Warm winter clothes
The holidays take place during the coldest time of the year and people that seek the services of outreach groups often are unable to afford the things they need to keep warm. The next time you clean out your closet and find extra beanies and scarves, remember that there are people more than willing to take them off your hands.
2) Children’s books and toys
More often than not, people on the receiving end of donations are not just individuals, but families with children. These children are being raised in an environment in which buying things to entertain them is likely not an option. This is why toy drives are so prevalent this time of year, and that makes it all the easier to donate. Consider taking advantage of the season’s sales to make kids’ holidays happier.
3) Baby food, clothing, and diapers
Many of the outreach groups’ clients have babies, and supplies for taking care of babies, excluding food, are not paid for by government nutritional assistance programs. This generates a truly desperate need in some families, especially considering the speed at which babies and young children outgrow their clothing. However, the brevity of the time a baby or toddler can wear certain clothes means that thrift stores are often full of them at very low prices. If you find yourself in a thrift store, you might want to add a onsie or two to your purchase.
4) Health and beauty aids
Hygene supplies are another necessity that government programs do not cover. The need for things like soap, shampoo, and most especially feminine hygene products can lead to hygene issues and consequent helth problems in the less fortunate. It is common for those of us able to buy supplies to end up with extras because of things like bars of soap coming in packages of more than one, or two for one sales on shampoo. A food pantry or soup kitchen is a great place to bring these extras, which might otherwise end up going to waste.
5) Your time
College students find ourselves with lengthy breaks around the holidays, and why not use any extra time for a good cause? Volunteering with outreach organizations can be a resume builder, fun, and will most likely lead to meeting new and different people.