Tip 4 - The Christmas season can present challenges for many people. If you find yourself alone or if you have a desire to give back to your community, volunteering your time is a meaningful way to make a difference. Not only does it contribute to your own mental well-being, but it also allows you to be in the company of others. Consider lending a hand at a local soup kitchen or food bank as a valuable way to give back during this festive time. #support #supportlocal #supporteachother #giveback #volunteer https://lnkd.in/e5uRffxM

Did you know...? This was the second year for our Adopt-A-Family program at the Boys & Girls Club of Wooster; a program to help families in need during the holidays. I have had the privilege of running/helping with such programs for many years (long before working at the Club) and one consistent request, that might surprise you, is cleaning supplies. You see; Food is pretty attainable - Food pantries of many shapes and sizes are generally pretty abundant, they along with food stamps can help a family put meals on the table. Programs to help pay housing and utility bills are generally available and there are also programs that will provide clothing and shoes... The #gap? Cleaning supplies. Every single woman I have ever spoke to in the initial conversation, after listing the things her children need and I get to the question, "what do YOU need for yourself or your home?", answers, "cleaning supplies". Every. Single. One. What woman doesn't want to have a clean home and be able to wash her children's clothes? The five Club families we helped this holiday season, thanks to a very generous donor, are stocked with assortment of cleaning supplies that will hopefully last the family a little while. I wanted to bring a moment of #awareness to this gap as we, in the nonprofit space, evaluate our programs and assess their effectiveness over last year. Do you have room to help fill this gap? #gapanalysis #nonprofitimpact #socialgood #localcommunity #woosterohio

In our last post, we highlighted Thrive SC, but we realize there are many people just trying to survive, let alone thrive. According to Feeding America, more than 44 million people in the US face hunger today. Fortunately, there is something we can do to help! One of the ways we can support, is by supporting a local nonprofit that feeds those in need. Meals on Wheels prepares over 1,200 meals and hand delivers them daily to local residents. Wow, what a mission! How can we help? Meals on Wheels can always use volunteers! There is always a need for kitchen prep and delivery of the meals. If those aren't an option for you, donations- no matter the amount, will directly impact another human being in the form of nourishment. We love seeing people and businesses thrive, but let's jump in and help others survive! #volunteer #greenvillevolunteer #mealsonwheels

A group of kids were faced with a tough decision: spend their afternoon helping the homeless or enjoying a sweet treat at the ice cream parlor 🍦🤔. But as they thought about it, they realized that they could make a difference in their community by choosing to help those in need 🌎. They decided to spend their time serving meals and collecting donations for the local homeless shelter 🍴. As they worked together to make a positive impact, the kids learned valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and the importance of giving back 🤝. They saw firsthand the struggles that many people face and understood that even small actions can make a big difference 🌟. And as they left the shelter, they felt a sense of pride and fulfillment that no ice cream cone could match 🎉. The kids' selfless decision inspired others to follow in their footsteps, creating a ripple effect of kindness in the community 🌊. They proved that even the youngest among us can make a big impact when we choose to put others before ourselves 👧🏼. And who knows, maybe next time they'll enjoy their ice cream cones even more, knowing that they've made a difference in the lives of others 🍦😊. #followme #KidsMakingADifference #HelpingTheHomeless #SelflessActs #EmpathyInAction #KindnessMatters #GivingBack #CommunityFirst #InspiringYouth #RippleEffectOfKindness #MakeADifference #YouthEmpowerment #SocialImpact #HeartwarmingMoments

Falcon Social and Educational Society’s Food Drive At Falcon Social and Educational Society (FSES), we believe that every child deserves a meal. During our recent food drive, we had the privilege to serve nutritious meals to underprivileged children—bringing hope, smiles, and full bellies to those in need. 🍽️ "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." This initiative is just one of the ways FSES is committed to empowering communities through education, healthcare, and social development. We aim to not only alleviate hunger but also foster an environment where these children can thrive and pursue their dreams. Our food drives are more than just providing meals. They represent compassion in action and reflect our larger mission: to build a world where everyone has access to basic needs, education, and a chance at a better life. You Can Help! We invite you to join hands with us in this journey of making a difference: Donate to support future drives Volunteer your time and effort at our upcoming events Share our cause to spread awareness Together, we can create lasting change in the lives of these children. "No one has ever become poor by giving." Let’s work together to feed both bodies and dreams. 🌍 Contact us to get involved or learn more about our upcoming initiatives. #SocialImpact #CommunitySupport #ChildWelfare #EndHunger #NonProfitWork #EducationForAll #EmpowermentThroughAction #GiveBack #FoodDrive #JoinTheMovement #FalconSES #HumanitarianEfforts #VolunteerNow

“Unhoused”…not having a home to return to, or sleep in… waiting hours in line for food or for a cot to sleep on… not knowing where the next meal will come from or if you’ll be in line in time to receive a bunk to slumber in… I spent a motivating weekend with 35+ middle schoolers, volunteering our time & serving our community- some who may be without basic needs - food, shelter, security - as well as the elderly population who may need support in other ways. We learned about the The Carying Place, Inc. - providing a home to unhoused families with kids for 6mos while they get back on their feet, budget, take financial courses & save Oak City Cares - 274 people (kids too) arrived for breakfast Saturday- some waiting hours for doors to open to receive sustenance and respite A woman asked me for a garbage bag before she left - the recent rains had soaked all of her clothes in the woods & she needed a bag to put them in These engagements and interactions left a deep impression on me - we can do much to help support this community and uplift them. Oak City Cares (who offers washing machines to wash clothing, showers, food/drink, charging stations, books) provides support, shelter, & aid -3 meals on weekends- to those in need. Quite a few folks in attendance have jobs, but are struggling to make ends meet with the high costs of unaffordable housing… Many sleeping on simple cots or bunks at the shelter are working but are unhoused and cannot pay the rent/bills thus they return nightly to the shelter to sleep in a safe place The shelter sleeps 95 men, (almost 50 In one big room) & 45 women in another building. Our team wrapped 250+ blankets/sheets to place in each sleep spot. If you’re local - I’m collecting items: —towels/washcloths (can be pre owned), —travel size body wash/shampoo/soap —Socks (a huge need for these!) I will drop these donations off to the shelter in next 2 weeks. Folks may be without a home currently, but they are not without Hope. Many people are in need. We do not know everyone’s story or the battle they’re fighting. #service #giveback #community #Hope Dorcas Ministries A Place at the Table

Are you looking to make a difference to the youth in your Scarborough community but not sure where to start? Well, when you contribute to Fernie Youth, you can have faith in the knowledge that 100% of your donation goes directly to our programs, supporting youth in need immediately.⁠ Our programs include ⬇️ Residential — Youth need a stable home to grow into contributing adults. Our residential programs provide safe and reliable housing combined with personalized social support for young men on a path to independence and community reintegration. Reintegration — Reintegration programming fills the gap between custody and community to change youth’s behaviours in challenging situations. Employment — As young adults move to independence, they need the support of a network of caring people; often, families are unable to help, and that’s when transition-focused employment programs make a difference towards self-reliance. Learn more about how we use donations (and make one of your own) through the link below. 🧡 ➡️ https://fernieyouth.ca ⁠ #fernieyouth #caringbeyondreason #scarborough #youthadvocacy #residential #reintegration #employment #communitysupports

Creating Positive Change in the Community: Our Journey of Giving Back Discover how we have made a difference by feeding the homeless, supporting underserved communities, and educating youth about entrepreneurship. Learn about our nonprofit organization and how you can contribute to our cause. #CommunityService #Philanthropy #YouthEmpowerment #GivingBack #NonprofitOrganization #SocialImpact #ChangeMakers #CommunityDevelopment #Education #SupportLocal

Rather than a self-congratulatory post next week, this is a call to arms today. #volunteering at #christmas time is great fun and the perfect opportunity to get to better know your #community,. Here are some ways to help out – 1.     Don’t forget your #neighbours. Loneliness and sadness are common and often go unnoticed. A cup of tea and chat can make all the difference. ‘Knock on’! 2.     Some people are happy to be a #volunteer but struggle to get to places they are needed. Giving volunteers a lift can enable them to support others. 3.     If you can’t spare time on Christmas Day, then remember that the days after Christmas can be even harder for people struggling when all the good will of strangers evaporates into post-prandial somnolence. This can be the most valuable time to reach out a hand. 4.     Remember that volunteer support is needed 24 hours a day – the nightshifts are the most difficult to fill and so if you are used to burning the midnight oil then your help will be much appreciated. 5.     If, like me, your head is full of ‘Baby Shark’ then end this torture by reading a poem or book for children, posting on YouTube and sharing for those kids who might not have anyone to read to them at home this Christmas Eve. All the major charities will be able to give you guidance as to where they will benefit from help if you give them a call. Also, local places of worship, food banks, your town hall are great places to find out where you can make the biggest impact. If you are struggling to get to a volunteering opportunity, then message me and our Candesic team will find a way to get you there. #Love, #Peace. #Kindness. 

Make a difference in your community this holiday season. If you're passionate about creating a positive impact in your local community, here are meaningful ways to lend a helping hand to those in need. —Help your local food pantry. Today, an estimated 12 million children are struggling with hunger in America. —Give blood if you’re able. The Red Cross and other organizations are in dire need of blood supply and have safe, healthy ways for you to donate. —Volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great way to support your community. —Check on neighbors and family members, especially those who live alone, are elderly, or have health or mobility issues. —Assist in local or online fundraising efforts. Look into options that provide much-needed supplies to families. —Take care of yourself and others. Practice patience, kindness and mindfulness. #RuralHealth #ImproveRuralHealthcareAccess #Community