How to Donate to Those in Need for the Holidays

Never do we turn our hearts and minds towards giving to others more than during the holiday season. During the holidays many charities and organizations see a rise in donations more than any other time of the year. This is not to say help and donations are needed year round, but especially during the holiday season when organizations are hard pressed to support the multitude of requests for assistance for food, shelter and gifts for unfortunate persons.

Naturally the easiest ways to donate to charities are a given, money to the charity of your choice, donating a gift for local organizations that have toy drives, giving of canned foods to the local food pantry. But how can donating to those in need become a more fulfilling way of spending the holidays?

Here are some excellent ideas for spreading the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Organize a canned food, gift drive, bake sale or clothing drive at work, church, school or other community driven place. Contact local businesses to arrange a dry goods and sundries drive, many businesses are especially giving during the holiday season and they benefit from the tax break offered by supporting local charities. Contact local crafters and organize a homemade gift drive to help local charities offering gifts for unfortunate persons during the holiday season. A wrapping paper drive for a local organization offering gifts to the less fortunate is a much needed service during this time of the year and helps the organization to spend more money on other needed resources. Items such as wrapping paper, gift cards, labels and bows can run into hundreds of dollars for places helping large numbers of people. There are many functions that can be beneficial to local charities and help to publicize the goals of these charities. Contact local charitable organizations to find out what kinds of drives would best suit their goals.

The gift of time is often the most appreciated donation needy persons can receive. Volunteer to help in a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter or food donation center. A few hours a week is well worth the overwhelming thanks volunteers receive for their efforts. For persons handy in crafting, arrange to give community classes in ornament making, knitting, crochet or other craft. This is especially a good idea for places like elderly and disabled persons facilities, low income day cares or head start programs, and domestic violence shelters or family crisis centers where people have a real need for the gift of holiday spirit. A police benevolence association in any given area should have a list of charities needing time donated or check with a local food bank where charities often work together to help each other during the holiday season.

For those of us who know a particular person or family in need, charity need not be an expensive gift. Offering to decorate a needy persons home with home made ornaments, giving a gift basket filled with everyday needed items such as toothpaste, toilet paper, baby supplies or dry food goods, or just spending time with them swapping stories over some hot cocoa can be a great way to give during the holiday season.

Secret Santa's are also a great way to help a needy person without being intrusive or fear of offending the recipient of charity. Pay a portion of a utility bill, grocery or hardware bill or place a deposit at the local pharmacy in their name if they have a hard time paying for medicines that they use regularly. This can be done with only the name or address of the person and need not be intrusive into their personal lives. Deliver gifts to their doorstep already wrapped or a gift basket with a friendship card. Have items delivered from the local grocery or via direct post with no return address. A prepaid gas or phone card are also much needed items and make great practical gifts for needy persons. Gifts like these can really help a needy neighbor during the holidays who may be to proud to ask for financial assistance.

Another way to help during the holiday season is to organize support services for charities. During this time of the year volunteers are often over worked and overstressed trying to service the needy members of the community. Do something nice for the volunteers. Baked goods items like cookies and cakes say a multitude of thanks to these hardworking service people. Thank you cards to local charities are also a good way to let them know that people appreciate the work they are doing. Organize a caroling session and visit local charity offices during the holidays, this makes the season bright for everyone and lets the volunteers know that someone is thinking about them as well. Offer to deliver meals to late night workers or run errands for them. Many people give up a lot of their personal time during the holiday season to help those in need and extra efforts like this really let them know how much it is appreciated.