The holiday season itself is enough to make anyone busy and broke, but it's also the time of year to be thankful for what we have and give to others. If you're feeling like you should take a few minutes to help out, but don't have a spare $500 to feed a child for a year, or a few years open to teach English in Japan, here's how you can give back super fast and without breaking the bank.
1. Macy's Letters To Santa
As part of Macy's Believe campaign, they will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish for every letter written to Santa (up to $1,000,000) in order to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. You can write a letter and drop it off at your local Macy's or fill one out electronically here. Not only are you helping kids go on a trip of a lifetime, meet their idols or give back to their own communities, but you also get to channel your inner child and ask Santa for what you really want this year!
2. Donate your old hats and mittens
When you live in the midwest, you're probably not short on winter clothes, and chances are good that you have some old hats, mittens or scarves lying around your house. Many homeless shelters and resource centers in the area collect new or gently used hats, mittens, gloves, socks or scarves to give to people who cannot afford them. St. Stephens, Simpson Housing Services, and Our Savior's Community Services all take such donations in Minneapolis to help keep the heads, hands and hearts of fellow community members warm this winter.
3. Pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
Each year Operation Christmas Child invites people to pack a shoebox of gifts for a child of a certain age bracket. You can pick ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 and either boy or girl. Once the box is packed with toys, hygiene items and school supplies, it is shipped to children in need around the world. You can even include a personal note and photo and purchase a tracking label to know exactly where your shoebox ends up!
4. Salvation Army bell ringing
You know those people ringing bells and collecting spare change outside of the grocery store? That could be you! Last year, bell ringing raised 3 million dollars for the Salvation Army, which helps with anything from basic needs to housing to disaster relief. Shifts are only two hours and if you bring your friends you can create a fun afternoon of Christmas carols, raising money and good times!
5. Hand out meals with Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes serves over 2,000 free meals every day to people in need in Minnesota. Hop in the meal van and volunteer for only 1-2 hours helping to hand out hot and healthy meals that impact the lives of 100-250 people who rely on this service for their next meal.
6. Donate food to Second Harvest Heartland
The holidays can be a difficult time for people who rely on school or work for their meals. With kids at home for break and the added stress of the holiday season, many people don't know where they will get their next meal. Second Harvest Heartland collects non-perishable food items and gives them to children, adults and seniors who may need the little extra help this season.
7. Use Amazon Smile
You know you're going to be doing a lot of Christmas shopping online this year anyways. Instead of buying on the regular Amazon page, use Amazon Smile. It's exactly the same as Amazon, except they donate .5% of your total purchase to the charity of your choice. Doing good has never been so easy.
8. Give a gift that counts
There are plenty of companies that donate to non-profit organizations whenever you shop at their stores or buy their products. Love Your Melon donates 50% of sales to partners in the fight against pediatric cancer such as Cure Search and Pinky Swear Foundation. Better World Books donates to literacy programs for each book bought or donated. Check out One Green Planet for more organizations that donate simply for shopping!
