No matter what you celebrate during these holidays, this is the season of gift giving. Everybody loves gifts but not everyone has a gift to give or worst, not everyone has people around them to give them gifts. But one thing we can do, since #AllLivesMatter, is finding ways to give back to the community and to organizations that you believe make a difference. So here are 5 ways you can give back to those that don’t have much.
1) Donate Money:
This is the season when most people take out their checkbook and donate to a nonprofit organization, according to Network For Good, a web-base data service. Just make sure these organizations have their 501(c)(3) from the Internal Revenue Service before supporting their cause. This certifies the organization and will allow you to tax-deduct your gifts when the IRS has their hands out.
2) Donate Clothes or Toys:
Like me, a lot of you have clothing that doesn’t fit anymore and those clothes are taking-up space in your closet. And something old to you is something new to someone else. So don’t hesitate to donate your clothes or your kid’s old (but usable) toys.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people then just feed one,”
Mother Teresa.
3) Donate Food:
Even if you’re not the best chef in the world I bet you still can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But if you’re a better chef than the P&J then make some arroz con pollo (chicken with rice). “Over 1.4 million New Yorkers – including nearly one in four of the city’s children – lived in households that lacked sufficient food,” according to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger.
4) Donate Your Time:
If you don’t have the money to support your favorite charity then donate your time and volunteer. There are churches, government agencies and other organizations that need a helping hand.
5) Hold an Event for a Cause:
If you can sing, dance or just have the ability to organize an event to raise funds for an organization then use those talents to support your favorite charity. Events like the canned food drive, winter coats collection or even a comedy show are great ways to bring the community closer while helping others.
