Give Back to your Community!

Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Equally as important is to help those who may not have enough food for a meal by delivering Meals on Wheels or volunteering at a soup kitchen.

Volunteering with Veterans. For those who have an especially soft spot in their heart for our troops, consider sending a care package or volunteering with veterans.

Volunteer skills. Making donations does not always have to come in the form of care packages containing personal items and canned goods. A person can also donate their time by providing a skill or service. For example, strong writers can provide grant writing services to a non-profit organization that works with vulnerable populations. Alternatively, a person who is a good singer may consider contacting various nursing homes in their community to offer a free performance to their residents. Or, individuals who enjoy working with children can volunteer by mentoring a child or teenager through a community-based mentoring program.

Give a little. Volunteering is not for everyone, and that is okay. A person can still give back by looking into ways to donate. Food insecurity is still a concern for many across the country. Consider donating to a local community fridge to serve those in need in your community.

Make mindful purchases. Buying gifts and other items for the holidays is on the minds of many, and a lot of people have already started their holiday shopping. However, remember to support small businesses that may be struggling to stay open.

Remain educated and act as an ally. One of the first things a person can do to advocate for a cause is to educate themselves. Education is vital to understand better some of the challenges specific vulnerable populations face and to identify how a person can use their ability, skills, and resources to best help and advocate for that population.

Pay it forward. It is always nice to pay it forward now and then. For example, while at a drive-thru, maybe consider paying for the family’s food in the car in back of you.