9 Ways To Help The Less Fortunate Without Breaking The Bank
It’s the holidays, and everybody is strapped for time and cash, but you s. Here are some no-cost or low-cost ways to continue the giving spirit.
Volunteers drive most non-profits, but now is a time for family, special events, and travel, and that means a lot of regular volunteers are calling out. Your local thrift or food pantry may be looking for help. They may just need extra hands to help with holiday overflow, preparing food baskets, sorting cans and donations, or answering phones. You may have to apply online and complete a security check, so call ahead as far in advance as possible.
Love pets? Your local shelter could use help cleaning cages or pens, walking dogs, or spending time socializing scared cats. Shelter animals need human contact, and the benefits of these interactions can make a difference in adoptability.
A lot of residents in retirement communities, military homes, or nursing homes spend their holidays alone; maybe their children are far away, or maybe they are the last of their family. Contact the director to find out about visiting policies and ask if there’s anyone who could really use an afternoon pop-in.
Don’t forget your local senior day center and let your kids play surrogate grandchildren for the day. Arm them with a list of stories and a deck of cards, and let them charm the crowd. Reach out to the center’s management and find out when they are hosting a holiday event or when they have the most need for entertainment.
If you don’t have the time to chaperone visits, you can still reach out to a lonely senior. Kids of any age can write notes, make cards, or create drawings. They can describe what they are doing in school, what they like about this time of year, or talk about the local sports teams! These can be addressed to anyone, but the center may have some suggestions for letter recipients and topics they might enjoy.
Take a litter walk. Arm everyone with a trash bag and visit a park or nature trail to pick up bottles, plastic bags, papers or take-out containers and cups. Don’t forget to wear gloves for your protection.
Have an older neighbor? A single parent friend? Farm out your kids as help. Offer them for light yard work, weeding, dog walking, or babysitting while mom or dad is working. You’ll be giving someone else the gift of time.
Here’s a great suggestion for any age: create “donation” boxes of toys, clothes, or household goods. Go shopping for items by cleaning the attic and sorting your closets! Uncluttering can be fun with a goal of filling your car trunk with donations for a local shelter or thrift; parting with a favorite dress or coat is easier when it’s a gift for someone else. You can tell your kids that by donating a clothing item, another child can keep warm or go to school in something new, and outgrown toys won’t be lonely when a younger child is playing with them again.
Ask your family if they have an issue or cause that means something to them. If they have a passion, get them online researching to find ways to help, whether it’s an at-home letter-writing campaign, joining a walk, or an opportunity to volunteer on a project. Your child gets a lesson in self-confidence and initiative, and the organization or cause gets a new recruit.
Be creative, and you’ll keep the kids busy while helping give back to the community!
