As Thanksgiving approaches, it's a time for reflection on what we are thankful for this year. Whether it’s a warm home, a delicious meal, or a loving family, each of us has so much to appreciate. However, it's important to remember that many people go without during this season. You don’t need to make a large donation to have a positive impact; even small acts of kindness can bring joy to a family in need. Wondering how to ensure that Thanksgiving is a great meal for everyone? Here are four thoughtful suggestions:
Donate to a Food Pantry
Take a look at your own pantry and see what canned or dried goods you could donate to your local food pantry. Or, while you're shopping for your own Thanksgiving dinner, double up on a few items and donate those to a food bank. Plenty of grocery stores accept donations at the end of the checkout line, making it really convenient. Canned vegetables and fruits, beans, rice, soup, canned tuna, pasta, powdered milk, and crackers are all welcomed by food banks because they keep well and can be used in a variety of ways. Also, think about donating spices and seasonings. And even though it's hard to donate fresh fruit or vegetables (some places can't accept them out of safety concerns), even a $15 donation can help provide fresh food for a family in need.
Adopt-a-Family
Another way Many communities have an adopt-a-family program. They might be run by a local church, YMCA, community service organization, or even the local police station. You can sign up and your donation (of varying amounts depending on the program) will provide a local family with all the fixings they need to make a Thanksgiving dinner, presents for Christmas, winter coats, and so forth. You can even choose to adopt a military family and make life a little easier for someone whose wife or husband is serving overseas. If you choose to adopt a military family here, don't forget to send a care package to the soldier overseas! No one likes to be so far from their families during the holidays, and a little piece of home can mean so much.
Create a Care Package
While a delicious and healthy meal is important, don't forget about all the other items that could go into a care package/donation this Thanksgiving including toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, deodorant, etc.), entertainment items (books, puzzles, coloring books for kids), and small winter clothing items like wool socks, hats, and gloves. We often don't think about how big a difference those smaller items make in our day-to-day lives, and what receiving a care package full of them would mean to someone.
Volunteer Your Time
Here's another way to make Thanksgiving a good meal for everyone. Even if your budget is tight, you can always donate your time. Volunteer to stock and organize donations at your local food bank. Signup to serve dinner at your church for local families. Join a "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" program and mentor a young child. Most organizations are always short-staffed and happily accept volunteers, especially during the holidays when they are trying to make even more good things happen.