Help a Family in Need this Holiday Season

One of the best ways to create impact in your community and inspire your kids to care for others, is to help a family or child in need during the holiday season – whether by volunteering at a local soup kitchen, giving to a coat drive, or buying gifts for a whole family (often called sponsoring or adopting). There will always be needs your family can satisfy local and abroad, and generosity is a skill best learned by doing. 
 
According to a survey released in September by the U.S. Department of Labor, 5.8 million people were unemployed, and 1.4 million said they had been unable to work because the pandemic either caused their employer to lose business or forced them to close entirely. With so many people out of work, this year’s holiday season may be an especially challenging time for families struggling to make ends meet. In other words, it’s the perfect time for your family to give back and spread some kindness.
 
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas.

Support a family. Contact one of the agencies below to be matched with a local recipient. They can often even pair you with a family whose children are similar in age to yours.

• Catholic Charities
• Lutheran Social Services
• Salvation Army
• United Way
• Volunteer Match
• Volunteers of America
• Soldiers Angels

Support a cause. You can donate money or time to a charity you care about like:

• Meals on Wheels
• Feeding America
• Habitat for Humanity

Donate gently used clothing and toys.

• Toys for Tots
• Goodwill
• Salvation Army

Other ways to make an impact.

• Operation Santa
• Send a financial gift through Venmo or PayPal to someone you know needs a little help.
• Search for unique local needs in your community.
• Send gifts to kids on the other side of the globe.
• Become a wish-granter with Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Bring hot chocolate or baked goods to neighbors.
• Invite a family you’d like to know better for dinner.