20 Best Ways To Give Back To The Community
20 Best Ways To Give Back To The Community
Giving back to your local community is a noble and admirable goal to have. I know this time of year, around the holidays, efforts to help those in need and support our local communities definitely get ramped up and amplified, but I’m a big believer and proponent of making it a part of every day life all year round.
Here’s why. Philanthropic efforts can help minimize social problems and increase wellness in people in your neighborhood, from those in need and less fortunate to those who are underserved and overlooked. And I think contrary to what I lot of people think, it really doesn’t take a lot of money and time to make a positive difference to society. In fact, there are plenty of acts of giving back, both big and small, that can have a huge impact to the community yet cost you nothing but a bit of your time. Never underestimate the power of even the smallest gesture and the impact it can have.
Below I’m sharing more on ways both big and small, some that are free, some that cost money, some that cost time, some that cost both, ones I personally do (or have done) and more to get involved and give back to your local community during this season and beyond.
20 Best Ways To Give Back To The Community
VOLUNTEER
There are definitely no shortage of opportunities to get involved and make a difference, and there’s no better place to start than your local community. Look for volunteer opportunities through a local group, church, school or even a simple Google search + your town will bring up ways to get involved. You can also check at a local homeless shelter, a local soup kitchen, a local after-school program, habitat for humanity or other charitable organization to see what opportunities they have currently available for community members to get involved and make positive impacts on those around them. This is also a great way to connect with other locals, join forces for good and foster a sense of community.
Support local farmers
Shop at your neighborhood farmer’s market and buy as much as you can at local markets as a way to support your local farmer’s and farms.
Donate your time and/or goods to a local animal shelter
Pet shelters are always in need of extra items, everything from food to (new or gently used) toys, leashes, collars, food bowels, etc. A lot of shelters are even in need of towels and blankets and will take your gently used ones off your hands. Call up your local shelter to find out what they’re currently in need of and what donations they’re accepting. Just be sure to make sure any gently used items are clean before taking them.
A lot of shelters are also in need of time- time to play with animals, time to walk dogs, etc. Again, you can call up your local shelter to find out their needs and how to volunteer. A simple google search of “volunteer to walk dogs + the name of where you live” will also help you find a pet shelter to volunteer your time at.
Visit a local nursing home
Most nursing homes run a variety of activities for their residences where they can use volunteer assistance, everything from game hour to crafting sessions. If you’re a musician you can even see about coming in to perform a concert (I used to go play the piano at a local nursing home, and I would also organize a caroling group to go perform around the holidays). You can also see about simply volunteering to spend time and hang out with residents (you’d be surprised how many either have no relatives or no one visits them and how much they appreciate even an hour of company).
Promote causes on social media
Use your platform (however big or small) to spread the word and share small businesses in your neighborhood, events happening locally, fundraisers in your area, volunteer activities, people in need, GoFundMe for locals/local projects, local elections, really anything of interest and need in your area. This is an especially great thing to do if you’re looking for a way to support your community for free.
Organize/Join a Community Clean Up
Get the community involved and spend time with other community members making your joint spaces (parks, beaches, etc.) more clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Pick up trash around your neighborhood
While it’s nice to work as a group, you also don’t have to wait for others to do good. Cleaning up your neighborhood can be as simple as picking up some trash on the sidewalk, path, park, beach, etc. while you’re out on your daily walk.
RECYCLE
Ok, so I know this is probably one of these “Duh!” things. But recycle! And learn to recycle properly.
Shop local and small
Keep it in the community by shopping local and shopping small. Support your community members by shopping at their local business, utilizing local services and hiring locals for work whenever possible.
Vote in local elections
While all elections are important, local ones are the ones that impact you and your community the most on a day-to-day basis, so make sure you do your research on candidates, get involved, volunteer and vote.
Volunteer for meals on wheels
You might not be aware, but there are probably quite a few members of your community who rely on Meals On Wheels for their food, so volunteering with them is a great way to help your elderly and homebound neighbors get their meals.
Donate to a food pantry
Food pantries are always in need of more items, so check your pantry for any extra dry goods you might be able to donate. Additionally, utilize coupons and sales as a great way to stock up on extra items you can donate.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen
Help prepare meals and serve the vulnerable of your community by getting involved at your local soup kitchen or shelter.
Perform a random act of kindness
Get in the habit of practicing random acts of kindness for your neighbors, anything from watering their plants, bringing in their trashcans, picking up packages, bringing them cookies, to leaving them flowers and a note, even the smallest things will go a long way.
Participate in a fundraising event
Help support fundraisers in your community by volunteering, hosting an event (like a bake sale or a luncheon), baking something to contribute to a fundraiser bake sale, donating money, or, at the very least sharing and spreading the word about it.
Plant a tree or community garden
Help make your local spaces and places more beautiful and green by planting a tree or a little garden. Not only is it great for the environment, it also makes local spaces less of an eyesore and more something to be enjoyed by everyone.
Support local Youths
Whether it’s to teach a class, coach a sports league, tutor (in college I helped tutor underprivileged kids at the local elementary school), get involved with a foster program, etc. there are plenty of ways to give back and help the kids in your community.
Donate unwanted/unused items
Local charities and shelters are always in need of items. Just be sure everything is gently used and clean, or, in the case of things like hygiene products, unused and unopened.
Donate blood
Sign up to donate blood at a local blood drive or, if you can’t/don’t want to give blood but still want to be involved, you can also see about volunteering as they may need help with things such as signing in or registering people who are donating blood, giving them cookies/juice, etc.
make a meal
There is nothing quite like a home cooked meal to bring some joy and comfort into someone’s life, so consider making a meal for someone in your community who just had a baby, someone who is homebound, someone who has an injury or maybe even someone (such as an elderly neighbor or someone who just went through a break-up) who is just in need of a little extra care and love and support at the moment.