10 Ways To Give Back This Thanksgiving

10 Ways to Give Back This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks. Many of us sit down at the table with friends and family and express how grateful we are for the good things in our lives — but how many of us actually give back to our communities this time of year?

Making a contribution to the greater good, regardless of how we do it, is an important part of Thanksgiving. Teaching our children about giving back on Thanksgiving is a vital lesson that, once implemented, can become a long-lasting family tradition.

Build Thanksgiving Baskets

Find an organization, like a religious institute or charity, in your community that is giving out Thanksgiving baskets. Make beautiful baskets at home filled with all of the items necessary for a perfect Thanksgiving, like cranberry sauce and packaged stuffing, and then deliver them to the organization. This is a faster way to give back on Thanksgiving because you're already shopping for these items, so you can just buy two or three of everything.

Cook for a Shelter

If you want to help others, but don't have all day to spend volunteering at a shelter, then this is a great way to give back. Sign up to cook the main course or bring a side dish to your local homeless shelter to give everyone a delicious hot meal on Thanksgiving or any other night of the week. You can simply drop off the dish, and other volunteers can serve it at the shelter.

To find a volunteer opportunity near you click here.

Donate Blood

While some may feel uncomfortable donating blood, it's an incredibly rewarding way to give back this year. Make an event out of it and take your family members and friends with you to donate. Donating blood is always a great way to give back because it can save a life. Be sure to eat something ahead of time and drink a lot of water, so you are hydrated before donating.

Click here for an American Cross near you.

Give to the Elderly

Many elderly individuals spend Thanksgiving alone. Take your family to visit a nursing home and talk to some of the people there. You may be surprised how much they'll appreciate your time. You can also volunteer your time at an organization, like Meals on Wheels that serves nutritious meals to seniors.

Click here to learn more about Meals on Wheels America.  

Invite Someone Over

Do you know a lonely neighbor? Someone who has experienced a recent loss? A friend whose family lives too far away? If this person is alone for the holidays, invite him or her into your home for Thanksgiving dinner. It may seem like a small gesture to you, but to them, it may make a huge impact.

Neighborhood Cleanup

We love helping out our community. Donating your time to cleaning up trash in the park or the beach is an excellent way to do so. A lot of people volunteer at shelters, but not that many take the time to clean up public areas that are enjoyed by everyone.

Pet Love

Take your kids to a shelter and donate pet food to spread the Thanksgiving love to our furry friends. If you're really feeling generous, adopt a pet from a shelter. A new puppy may be just what your family needs to help bring everyone together this Thanksgiving.

Click here to find a pet adoption organization near you.

Support Our Troops

This year, invite a service member into your home for Thanksgiving. Many troops are stationed far away from their hometown, so they can't get home to spend the holidays with their families. Our troops will appreciate being welcomed into a loving home for a warm home-cooked meal

For more information on how to help our troops this Thanksgiving click here.

Visit a Hospital

Patients in the hospital may be limited to a bland Thanksgiving dinner and their families can't always come visit them. Make someone's day by stopping by your local hospital and delivering flowers to the patients. The nurses and doctors on staff may also be working during the holiday, so be sure to thank them for their work and bake some cupcakes to hand out as well.

Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen

A common practice around Thanksgiving is to volunteer your time at a soup kitchen either on the day of or the day before Thanksgiving. Serving hot food to those in need can be a fun, hands-on activity to teach your kids a lesson in giving back.

To find a volunteer opportunity near you click here.