Today, charity is popularized as raising or donating money. According to Giving USA’s website, Americans donated an estimated $358.38 billion to charity in 2014, the highest total in the report’s 60-year history. Though money is a high contribution in helping others, there are other ways to give back to the community without spending money this year.
According to volunteering America, only 21.9 percent of Houston residents volunteered in 2013. Charity doesn’t require donating buckets of money, but volunteering and allowing yourself to give back can go a long way to help those in need.
Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank has many open shifts at the Portwall and Warehouse locations throughout November. There are no shifts on Thanksgiving, but from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 20 volunteers complete a shift at the food bank, socialize and receive a handout with information on where to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day. Registration is available online at www.houstonfoodbank.org.
Operation Christmas Child
Want to help a child in need during the holidays? Decorate and fill an average -size shoebox with toys and supplies. You can also include a personal photo and note in the box. Upon donating $7 you receive a tracking label and can see where your box will end up in the world. Complete the box and take it to a local drop-off location during national collection week, which is Nov. 16-23. More information on drop-off locations, gift suggestions and box guidelines can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.
City-Wide Club of Club’s Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve Feasts
On Nov. 22 and Dec. 24 the George R. Brown Convention Center will host its annual Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. Thirty five thousand to 40,000 people are expected at this event, and volunteers will be needed for set-up and meal service shifts anytime from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To register, call City Wide Club of Clubs at (713) 523-1640.
Volunteer Houston – “Holiday Project”
Volunteer Houston’s “Holiday Project” gives a day for volunteers to visit nursing facilities and hospitals to let people know they are not forgotten on the holidays. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, volunteers can meet at the Grace Care Center in Cypress or Katy. Volunteers will be given a map and holiday cards to share with the patients they’ve been assigned to visit. The “Holiday Project” is a great way to give back and help those who have lost connections with family because of health problems, advanced age and other circumstances. More information can be found at www.volunteerhouston.org.
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