Whether it’s donating money to a worthy cause in a loved one’s name, or getting said loved one to join you for a day of volunteering (and then going for a merry little drink after), acts of service are the perfect way to make your holiday feel even more special. Here, a few ways to give—and give back—this month.
This Walmart-partnered program has been helping to provide holiday gifts for children and senior adults for over 40 years. You can sign up to help provide the presents on a member of your community’s Yuletide wish list (which then get distributed to their families to hand out) here.
It’s been a cruel and painful year for many undocumented workers in the US thanks to an unending wave of ICE raids in primarily Latino and/or immigrant communities, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network has an Immigrant Defense Fund up and running to support litigation and legal defense for those most at risk of family separation.
Many trans youth in the US are struggling mightily in the wake of the Trump administration’s bans on youth gender-affirming care and recent shutdown of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ Youth Specialized Services program. Happily, the trans-led nonprofit Transanta is working to fulfill young trans people’s holiday wishes. You can help by donating directly to the organization to support their work.
The California-based nonprofit Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) has been working hard to bring food, medical aid, books, clothes, toys, and more to children in Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon. MECA also helps community organizations on the ground and works to streamline university scholarships for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. You can support their mission here.
This nonprofit has been on the forefront of addressing senior hunger and isolation in the US for more than 50 years. You can find opportunities to volunteer with Meals on Wheels in all 50 states. If you’re looking to plan a group give-back event for your family, friend group, or office, you can do so by emailing the organization at volunteer@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
This six-year-old organization, which describes itself as “New York City’s only free restaurant,” is devoted to preventing food waste and serving 600 free, three-course meals to the Harlem community per week. Refettorio Harlem also hosts educational and cultural programs that are open to the public, making it a perfect place to volunteer during the busy holiday season.
Foster a pet (during or after the holidays, or all year round)
Pet abandonment rates skyrocket after the holidays, which makes the new year a great time to foster a furry friend from your local animal shelter until they find their forever family. There are wonderful programs all around the country, but Austin Pets Alive! in Austin, Texas, Angel City Pit Bulls in Los Angeles, Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City, and Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida and Alabama do particularly great work and will help you out with your foster experience every step of the way.