Ways to Help Feed Others This Thanksgiving

While preparing your Thanksgiving meal this Thanksgiving, don't forget those in need. Many just do not have the means to create a Thanksgiving meal and others simply will not be home with their families to enjoy the holiday. Help those in need. Donate to one of the following:

Take pity on a needy college student
If you have an interaction with your local college or university, contact the school to see if you can host an international exchange student for the holidays. Many of them can not afford to go back to see their families for such a brief time and end up being alone during this time. You can prepare a nice meal for them and share the history of our holiday which they may not be that familiar with. If the college frowns upon this, see if they'll allow you to donate package foods that can be distributed to students for them to make on their own.

Donate food to your local church or food pantry
Non-profit organizations like the South Jersey Foodbank and many local churches are always in need of non-perishable food. With as many sales as our local supermarkets have, consider buying for your family, and a little extra for a family in need, and be sure to pick up your free turkey and give it away if you aren't going to need it.

Thank our service people
Thankfully, nurses, doctors, fireman, EMT, and so many other service people will be on duty on Thanksgiving and won't be able to share the special time with their loved ones. Purchase a gift card to a local restaurant or buy a prepackaged meal from the supermarket and deliver to it to them. Tell them how thankful you are for their services.

Help feed our military
Many of our military soldiers won't be home this Thanksgiving or Christmas to be with their families. Join with Woman's Day magazine and the Armed Services YMCA drive, in partnership with the Military Channel, to give a monetary donation that will go toward food baskets and Christmas presents. Learn how to donate by visiting: http://www.womansday.com/home/12425/give-back.html

You'll be blessed for helping someone who needs it!