Help out at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. – Thanksgiving day and just before is going to be very busy in each of these places. Food needs to be collected and donations are usually the main source. If you cannot give your time, how about a donation of vegetables, Turkeys, stuffing, pumpkin pies or anything you can spare. Call ahead or go there in person and ask what they need.
Can you cook? Can you offer time to cut vegetables, cook a turkey, make tea?
The preparation is just as important for volunteers as to getting the Turkey dinner on the table. If you cannot help with the preparations, how about a few hours to set up tables, greet people as they come in, walk around with a water pitcher during dinner or helping clean up after.
To see where you can help out, contact your local Salvation Army, Chamber of Commerce and Churches in your area.
Donate to your local food bank – Click Here and enter you zip code to find one near you.
Visit nursing homes, hospitals and veterans associations
Call ahead to find out what specific hours are allowed for you to stop by. Just sitting and talking with someone, to hear their story, share what is going on in your life is very uplifting for both of you. You could also take a small gift like fresh baked cookies or a small bag of treats for the holiday.
Ask around and you are sure to have someone be able to tell you where volunteers are going to help out in your community this Thanksgiving. Get the family involved and share the giving..
Happy Thanksgiving!
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