It’s the season of giving! Are you looking for ways to support your local community? Here are five ways you can give back this holiday season.
1. Donate to a local animal rescue center
Winter is a challenging time for all animal shelters. There is an influx of animals being brought in, so they need more food and supplies to take care of them. If you have ever wanted to volunteer at an animal rescue, this is the perfect time for you to reach out to shelters in your area to find out how you can support them.
Once you find a shelter, make sure to look at their website or call ahead for a list of items they are in need of! Often, they ask for blankets, food, toys, grooming supplies, etc. If you are unable to make a physical donation, shelters typically have websites for people to send monetary donations. Regardless of how far away you are from the shelter, an online donation is a convenient way to contribute, and then the shelter can decide how to use those funds.
2. Make holiday cards for a local nursing home
If you love crafts and being creative, holiday card-making for your local nursing home is a fantastic way to showcase your artistic talent while spreading some holiday cheer! And, decorating holiday cards and listening to Christmas music while drinking hot chocolate is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
The supplies you need to make cards are simple and relatively inexpensive. Grab colorful construction paper, markers, scissors, and glue. Even if you are not the most artistic person, you can find inspiration online and come up with cute Christmas or holiday-themed designs to draw onto your card. Always write a kind message inside to emphasize that you are thinking of them this holiday season.
Some nursing homes have certain policies about the cards that are donated, so check with your chosen facility to make sure you are complying with their rules.
3. Volunteer your time
If you can’t afford to support organizations monetarily, don’t be discouraged! Volunteering your time is a valuable way to contribute to these organizations. If you’re not sure where you can reach out to volunteer, places like assisted living facilities, animal shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, the Salvation Army, and Meals on Wheels are always looking for volunteers to help sort donations, assist with food and toy drives, serve meals, and more.
This is also a great opportunity for you to bring a friend, so you both can participate in community service together. Not only are you both sharing this experience, but you are also offering twice the help to the cause you’re supporting, and that is the most rewarding part.
4. Donate to a local food drive
This time of year, many churches, schools, and community organizations are running food drives to provide for local food pantries. If you don’t know where to get started, research what food drives are happening in your area. Next, find the list of items that are being collected. Sometimes they need specific non-perishable items or have restrictions on what can be donated, so it’s helpful to figure that out before you gather your items.
The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up some of the items they are looking for. You may already have some non-perishable items in your pantry that you know you won’t be able to use, so you can also donate those items if they are accepted.
Always remember to check the expiration dates! Also, be mindful of sell-by dates so that there is an appropriate amount of time for products to actually be utilized.
If you aren’t sure what to buy and would prefer not to donate physical products, most pantries accept monetary donations as well, so that is another great way to help out. Even if you feel like you can only donate a small amount, the most important thing is to do what you can to contribute, because every donation makes a difference.
5. Donate to a local women’s shelter
If you are looking for an amazing opportunity to empower women, you can support a women’s shelter by donating products like toiletries, travel-sized items, or brand-new clothing. Women’s organizations are always in need of donations, so you should consider reaching out to some locations in your area.
Before you decide what you are going to bring, contact the shelter to ask what items they are most in need of and what their procedures are for drop-off. Many locations require you to have a specific appointment time, so understanding their process is super important.
Also, respect the confidentiality of the organization and its address. A woman’s shelter is meant to be a safe sanctuary, so ensuring that you abide by all of their policies is crucial.
I hope some of these ideas inspire you to engage in community service this holiday season!
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