The season of giving is here! Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah, these holidays all share one thing in common – the gift of giving. This doesn’t always mean just buying things for other people. It could mean giving up one’s time and putting someone else’s needs before their own. Recently, families who rely on government support through programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), have been struggling to provide for their loved ones and themselves due to lack of resources. Although it may not be food people need help with, other basic necessities like clothes and even simple companionship are deprived from some– this could be a person in your very own community!
There are ways you could be a light in someone’s life, so here are some ways to:
Angel Trees
Angel Trees are a great way to help others this winter. The Angel Tree Campaign is an organization where children or elderly in need will give a donor a list of something they want for Christmas. Like Santa Claus! After that, the donor will then shop for the items and will contribute to making someone’s holiday season a little better!
Food Drives
Food drives are common in areas where poverty and the struggle to keep a meal on the table are prominent. Some are unable to shop for themselves due to disability or a meager salary. So donating food and creating spaces for people to take what they need , will make life a little easier. Find out what organizations,food pantries , and local drives that are around that will allow you to give to one another.
Make Time for Others / Prioritize Your Peers
Lastly, prioritize your peers. Build friendships, get to know your neighbors. Truthfully, nobody really knows what’s going on in someone’s life, no matter how much one might think they do. Checking in on friends, even family members, from time to time shows that you care about them. It shows that they are valuable as human beings and will give them a sense of purpose. It’s not required to take them out every weekend and buy them anything they want, but small gestures like baking cookies and personally delivering them to a neighbor, or connecting with someone who might feel as if their voice is never heard can mean a lot to someone. Do everything with intent, take the time, and get personal.
