2020 in a word has been – interesting. Plans have been cancelled, and we’ve spent more time at home than we’d ever thought possible. But for the majority of us, our problems became more of an inconvenience than anything else. However, this pandemic has brought devastation to many families. According to a study done by Brookings Institute and highlighted by Forbes, one in five households of mothers with children ages 12 and under are experiencing food insecurity this year.*
Covid has taught us that the very fundamentals of life are so important. Food, shelter, community, just to name a few. So, this year, we’ve compiled a list of a couple different ways we can give back this year, not just on Giving Tuesday, but on any day of the year. Let’s send 2020 off in style during December and spread as much holiday cheer as we can.
MONETARY DONATIONS:
- Feeding America: More than 50 million people may experience food insecurity in 2020, including potentially 17 million children. Find your local food bank here to make a donation – https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
- Frontline Foods: Donate meals to first responders whether locally or globally – https://www.frontlinefoods.org/#local
- No Kid Hungry: Advocate for children who have lost access to healthy meals due to the pandemic – https://www.nokidhungry.org/coronavirus
- Operation Christmas Child: For $25, fill a shoebox with Christmas gifts for a child in need (can be done online): https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
- Salvation Army: With a lack of bell ringers and red kettle pots due to Covid, donate to help rescue Christmas for those facing hunger, poverty, and job loss – https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/use/location-search?location=68901
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Make a donation to better the life of a sick child and help end childhood cancer: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?cID=14323&sc_icid=wtg-lz-cards
- United Way: Visit the site to find your local chapter and how you can help those in need by giving back or volunteering – https://www.unitedway.org/get-involved/
TIME DONATIONS:
- Share donation/volunteer opportunities on your social media pages to spread the word to your followers.
- Volunteer or foster a dog or cat from a local humane society. Chances are they’ll become a permanent member of your family!: https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/search/
- Write letters or bake treats for essential workers, lonely neighbors, or the elderly.
RESOURCE DONATIONS:
- Donate blood: https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
- Go through your closet and donate any unused items. There are numerous organizations that accept donations for clothing. Check out this article that highlights the best places to donate: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a34301625/where-to-donate-clothes/
- Support local. Be sure to visit and purchase Christmas gifts from local shops to keep the money in the community and your neighbors in business.
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Due to Covid, many of these organizations are offering the opportunity to do most things online. Here’s to showing love & generosity this holiday season! Whether that means wearing a mask, shopping for elderly neighbors, OR leaving that last pack of toilet paper on the shelf for someone else when you already have two in your cart. 😉