How to Find Help for Your Family or a Family Member During the Holidays

We hear a lot about reaching out and finding folks who need to help during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

But what if it's you and your family that needs help? Do you ask for help or suffer in silence? On the other hand, you and your family may be on their feet, but maybe you have a family member, such as a grown child, who's struggling. Don't be afraid to ask for help for them, either.

Let's face it. In today's world of inflation and growing unemployment, there are many families in need. What's more, there are families that are working hard, but still can't seem to make ends meet.

First, don't let your pride get in your way of seeking assistance. If you need help, go after it. Here are a few suggestions to find help for you and your family during the upcoming holiday season...

The Salvation Army---Since 1852, the Salvation Army has been helping needy families not only during the holidays, but all year round. I'm sure that if you called your local Salvation Army office, they'd be more than happy to put your family on their giving list.

Local churches---Stop by most any local church and ask to speak to the pastor. I'm sure he knows of a group at church that's actually looking for a family to adopt during the holidays.

Mall giving trees--Some cities, such as Manchester, Connecticut, participate in a community Giving Tree at Christmas where shopper pick up "Christmas ornament wishes" on a mall Christmas tree. After purchasing the gift noted on the "ornamnet", they return both the gift and ornament to volunteers who work at the Giving Tree during the holida season.

Local thrift stores---Most thrift stores regularly purge their items for sale to make room for new ones. At the thrift store where I volunteer once a week we habitually pull a particular tagged "color" each month that isn't selling. Just yesterday, when I pulled the "blue-tagged" clothing and shoes, I put aside some clothing that I knew my son and his family could use. They're a family of five, struggling to get on their feet. When I explained my son's situation to my manager, she was more than happy to let me take any shoes and clothing that might fit my son, daughter-in-law and five grandchildren. If you and your family are struggling, then stop by your local thrift store and ask if you can have some of the items that aren't selling. In reality, you will be helping them out, too, as they have limited storage for all the items that people drop off as donations. Also, I'm sure the owner wouldn't mind giving away a few toys and other household goods that they don't need.

TV and radio stations---Don't be too embarrassed or proud to go to your local radio station and tell your story. Especially during the holidays, people want to reach out and help others who are less fortunate than they are. The same goes for approaching newspapers for help. Sign up your family for holiday giving programs which contribute to needy families during the holidays. Editors are also looking for feature stories and wouldn't mind running your story. Realize that they can easily make up fictitious names, keeping your anonymous in the story, if you don't want to your names revealed.

Finally, don' let pride stop you from getting the help you need. Often it takes a bigger person to just admit that he (or she) needs help. Not only will you be blessed in your receiving, but your givers will be blessed in their giving.