Photo By Simon Maage
The month of giving thanks is here and it is a charitable time. For so many college students, it hard to donate and most do not know where to turn to help out this season. The following are some ways that you can help give back!
1. Donate to a Thanksgiving dinner drive
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There is always going to be somewhere, if not on your campus, within the community seeking donations in food. By simply going to places like the Dollar Tree or even Walmart where cans of food are literally 66 cents, you can easily snag a Thanksgiving dinner. Put them in your plastic bag given at the grocery and you are set to donate!
2. Use leftover meal swipes and flex dollars
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Many of my friends and my myself let so many meal swipes go to waste. If it is the end of the week and you know you are not going to use any more, purchase a meal with your unused meal swipe for the person behind you, or give the meal to a homeless person on the corner of nearly any street. If you have a ton of flex you do not use, use it to buy some non-perishables or hats from the pantry! These make great donation items.
3. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food drive
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Soup kitchens are always overflowing and they would love help, especially during the cold season. Sure you have to wear a hairnet, but you are bringing a smile to someone’s face, and not because you look silly! Volunteering at food drives is always a good way to give back as well. You can bring donations if you want, but you mainly will be helping to unload product and bag items. Simple yet rewarding.
4. Clear out your freebies
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After talking to some students on campus, most of them admitted to just shoving all their free items from events including t-shirts, water bottles and pens into the back of their closets. Dig out that stuff and donate it! Many churches or shelters could use the supplies. Also, take advantage of the Kroger free-Friday downloads! All you do is load the coupon to your card and pick up your free item from the store. If you do not like the free product, just donate it! It is so simple and too easy.
5. Be kind
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If you want to give back so bad but are struggling, try simply being kind. Say “Good morning!” to not only your professors and peers, but also those on the streets and your barista in the drive-thru! Spreading kindness is such an effective way to give back because you never know whose life you are impacting.
That is all I have but I would love to hear some more ideas! How do you guys give back?