How to Give Back This Holiday Season

November has arrived, the month of Thanksgiving. We all know Thanksgiving is a time of eating wonderful food and getting great deals on Black Friday. It is also a time to give thanks for what we have and for the people we get to spend it with. In addition to giving thanks this holiday season, why not give back as well?

The holiday season is a very difficult time of year for many families who don't have the resources to enjoy an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner or enough food to fill their tables. Because of this, the holidays are the perfect time of year to give back to the community. You can give back in a variety of ways, from writing a check directly to donating your time and effort. Here are some of the ways in which you can help spread joy this Thanksgiving:

1. Volunteer:

• Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels - Many people are familiar with the Meals on Wheels Program. Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels, however, is a different program. It only focuses on serving Thanksgiving meals once a year. It prepares turkey, dressing, potatoes, corn, bread, cranberries, pumpkin pie, and more for needy families and delivers it straight to their homes. This program works to serve everyone who needs it, not simply the elderly. This is not an easy feat, so they need volunteers in order to achieve this.
• Volunteers Enlisted to Serve People (VEAP) - This program works to deliver hot meals, provided by local restaurants and congregations, to low-income and disabled elderly people on Thanksgiving, providing them with both a hot meal and some company for the holiday. To find out more and to sign up, please visit their website here.
• National Coalition for the Homeless - Using the National Homeless Coalition Directory, you can find a nearby local homeless shelter to donate your time. Serving hot meals to the less fortunate on Thanksgiving day is a wonderful way to give back!

You can also...

• Sponsor a needy family - To connect with a family in need, you can visit Family-to-Family.org. You can help them this Thanksgiving and maybe even after the holidays by donating food, clothing, and other much-needed items.
• Run for a good cause - Help burn off some of those Thanksgiving dinner calories while giving to the less fortunate on Thanksgiving? Talk about a win-win. Find a nearby run, such as a 5k, that benefits the needy this holiday. For example, Memphis holds an annual Memphis Hungry Turkey 5k.