As exciting as the holiday season can be, there are still millions of people around the world who are not as fortunate to celebrate the holidays. Unfortunately, there are people out there who can’t even afford their basic necessities, such as shelter, food, and water. Luckily, there are thousands of opportunities provided locally if a person is interested in giving back to their community during the holidays. In fact, displaying generosity can also be done outside the management of a non-profit organization. A person can feel free to be inspired to participate in some of the following activities during this holiday season:
Volunteer
Volunteering is one of the best ways a person can give back to their community. It doesn’t have to be done with a group as one can simply give back by picking up litter in their neighborhood for starters. One may check and see if their local food bank needs any volunteers. They can go around and collect canned goods to donate to their food bank. Volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen is also highly appreciated. One can even go the extra mile and have a meal with some of the people in attendance. It may be very eye-opening and humbling to listen to some of the life stories people have.
Gift Bags for Homeless
Gift bags are quite popular during gift-giving throughout the holidays. A person can provide gift bags for those in need of basic essentials. The following are just a few items that one can add to their gift bags:
- Gift cards (to local food stores)
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Bottled water
- Canned foods
- Warm socks
- Snacks
- Band-aids
Give Thanks
Giving back can be a simple acknowledgment of the people in one’s life. Expressing gratitude will strengthen bonds between friends, family, coworkers, and others. Everyone likes to feel valued. So, showing gratitude is another way to brighten the holiday mood.