The holiday season is upon us. You’ve probably started planning what gifts to give your family and friends. However, consider spreading that good cheer to those who need it most.
Here are some charitable acts that make a difference during the holidays.
Shop Smart
There are ways to make an impact with your everyday shopping. For example, if you use a service like Amazon to make purchases online, opt for their AmazonSmile program to give proceeds of what you buy to your favorite nonprofit. Whether shopping for gifts or essentials, this is a simple way to make contributions.
Another option is supporting brick-and-mortar retail stores that care. For example, if you have a little one, consider Build-A-Bear, as they help children with various programs through their Build-A-Bear Foundation. From teaching kids to read to providing snuggly bears, this company does plenty of good.
Participate in Meal Packaging Event
Statistics by the USDA show that over 13 million people in the US experienced food insecurity in 2021. Nobody should have to go hungry, so reducing that number is crucial, both during the holiday season and year-round.
One way of accomplishing this is by volunteering for a meal packing event. Many different organizations assist with coordinating this kind of charitable act, like US Hunger, Meals of Hope, and Rise Against Hunger. These organizations often take an assembly line approach to packaging food as a team in a fun environment.
Alternatively, you may want to host a meal packaging event independently from an organization. While it takes a little more planning, it’s doable and a great way to help people in your community.
Donate Blood
An important charitable act that makes a difference during the holidays is donating blood. The American Red Cross, an organization that has been making a positive impact for over 140 years, coordinates most blood drives.
When you make this crucial donation, you have the power to save the lives of people who need it most, including those who:
- Undergo cancer treatments
- Experience a chronic illness
- Have life-threatening injuries
Donating blood helps the Red Cross and other organizations give patients a fighting chance. Because there are different blood types, some are rarer than others, and they’re in high demand, so it’s vital to increase what’s available for recipients. Most Americans don’t participate in this lifesaving act, so you’re doing a world of good.
You have the power to make a difference during the holiday season and throughout the year when you spread kindness. While these are some ideas of actions you can take, there are endless ways to help when you keep your heart open.
