Ce-Ce Gerlach on How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season

10/10/22, 1:53 PM

How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season | Ce-Ce Gerlach | Philanthropy & Community Involvement

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How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season by cecegerlach | Oct 10, 2022 | Ce-Ce Gerlach, Philanthropy & Community Involvement

The holiday season can be stressful for many people, especially those with a bank account that’s stretched to its limit due to the endless tasks and activities that come with the season. Even with a budget, you can give back to the community without putting too much pressure on your finances. Here are ten easy steps that will help you spread some holiday cheer.

Volunteer your time One way you can give to charity is by volunteering your time to various organizations in need of additional help. There are several websites that help people find local groups that align with their schedules and interests, such as VolunteerMatch, Points of Light, and

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10/10/22, 1:53 PM

How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season | Ce-Ce Gerlach | Philanthropy & Community Involvement

Idealist. In one city, you can find hundreds of volunteer opportunities for children and seniors in various subjects.

Put together necessity bags Creating care packages for the homeless is also a great way to give back to the community on a budget. You can fill a gallon-sized food storage bag with various supplies, such as snacks, deodorant, and bandages.

If you’re planning on giving this holiday season, consider donating directly to your homeless shelter. You can also reach out to other charitable organizations in your area to create a list of places to give necessity bags to.

Donate blood Healthy adults giving blood can be a great and useful donation, especially since an individual in the U.S. would typically need blood every two seconds. Donation through a charity such as the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers is free, and it’s one of the ways to give to charity on a budget.

Donate handcrafted gifts If you’re a passionate artist and want to make a difference in the community, consider partnering with organizations that collect handmade goods for those in need. For instance, Project Linus collects handmade blankets to give to children in shelters and hospitals, and Operation Gratitude provides scarves and hats in care packages for soldiers.

Donate homemade goods If you’re a passionate cook who’s looking for ways to give back to the community, donating homemade food can be an affordable way to do so. Whether it’s baked goods or a homecooked meal, what you cook will help those in financial and health crises or those who are homebound due to mental illness or age. Checking churches or homeless shelters for options to give food is a great place to start.

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10/10/22, 1:53 PM

How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season | Ce-Ce Gerlach | Philanthropy & Community Involvement

These steps are just the beginning when thinking about how to give to charity on a budget.

You can find local organizations that need help by visiting their websites or asking nearby hospitals, schools, and churches about their current needs.

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10/10/22, 1:53 PM

How to Help Underserved Communities This Holiday Season | Ce-Ce Gerlach | Philanthropy & Community Involvement

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