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Helping Others in Need

Helping others in need is an essential part of leading a fulfilling life. These 40+ ideas and tips will help you, as an individual or as a family, find ways to help in your community.

You can feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you know you’ve have made a positive impact on someone’s life. Families can come together and engage in various activities that can help people in your community.

Finding ways to help in each new community we move to is one way that we connect to our new communities. It’s always been important to me to teach my children the importance of charitable giving. I’ve volunteered and worked in charitable organizations ranging from a teen homeless shelter, to a crisis hotline to a charitable food pantry and thrift store, so I know what is really helpful assistance for charitable organizations. 

If you want to help others in need, there are plenty of ways for you and your family to get involved! Whatever approach you choose, remember that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.

  • Volunteer your time. There are many organizations that need volunteers, such as food banks, shelters, and hospitals. You can also volunteer your time to help people in your community, such as tutoring children or helping elderly people with errands.
  • Donate money or supplies. If you can’t volunteer your time, you can still help by donating money or supplies to organizations that help people in need. You can also donate to local food banks or shelters.
  • Start your own organization. If you see a need in your community that isn’t being met, you can start your own organization to help fill that need. You can also start an organization to help people in other countries.
  • Organize a community service project, like a food drive or clean-up event.
  • Visit a nursing home or help out at a homeless shelter.
  • Become a mentor. There are many children and young adults who would benefit from having a mentor. You can offer guidance, support, and friendship to a child or young adult in your community.
  • Become a foster parent. If you have the time and resources, you can become a foster parent and provide a safe and loving home for a child who needs it.
  • Adopt a pet from a shelter. If you’re looking for a furry companion, you can adopt a pet from a shelter. This will give a homeless animal a loving home.
  • Donate blood. Blood is essential for many medical procedures, and there is always a need for blood donors. You can donate blood at a local blood donation center.
  • Register to be an organ donor. Organ donation can save lives, and it’s a simple way to make a difference in the world. You can register to be an organ donor on your state’s organ donor registry.
  • Recycle. Recycling helps to reduce pollution and conserve resources. You can recycle paper, plastic, metal, and glass.
  • Compost. Composting helps to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil. You can compost food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials.
  • Support local businesses. When you support local businesses, you help to strengthen your community. You can support local businesses by shopping at them, eating at their restaurants, and using their services.
  • Get involved in your community. There are many ways to get involved in your community, such as attending city council meetings, volunteering for a local organization, or starting your own community group.
  • Organize a charity event, such as a community garage sale or a bake sale, where all proceeds can be donated to a local charity.
  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank, where they can help prepare meals or sort donations.
  • Initiate a neighborhood cleanup day, where they can gather together and pick up litter, plant trees or flowers, and beautify the surroundings.

Volunteer Your Time

Purposeful Daily Acts of Kindness Printable Cards – Make a positive impact in your community by performing purposeful acts of kindness using these free printable idea cards. Keep them in your planner or pocket.

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How to Help a Military Family – Tips and ideas of how to help a military family and show your appreciation. Plus, a free printable thank you card.

White, red and blue cards with starts on white wood table.

Thank You Veteran Card Writing Tips – Tips for writing thank you veteran cards and where to send the cards. Grab your free copy of writing tips that work perfectly for deployed troops, too.

tips to write to veterans, cards , stamps and text overlay

Card to Support Our Troops – Use this free printable to create cards to support our troops. Also, create cards to share with deployed troops to send to their families.

red white and blue cards with text overlay.

Thank Our Veterans Free Printable  – Make an easy gift envelope with this free printable to thank our veterans for Veterans Day or anytime. Use this free printable for a Random Act of Kindness.

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Purposeful Ideas to Honor Deceased Loved Ones – 25 Purposeful ideas to honor deceased loves ones. A purposeful act of kindness for each month of the year to remember your loved one and help your community.

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What to Donate to Your Community

Donation Gift Ideas for Each Month of the Year – Donation gift ideas themes for each month of the year for charitable donations. A different theme for each month to make your giving fun and purposeful random acts of kindness.

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What to Donate to a Food Pantry – Tips on What to Donate to a Food Bank I learned from 3 years of working in a food pantry

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Homeless Care Package and Blessing Bag Ideas – 12+ unique gift bag ideas to help those experiencing homelessness.

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Where to Donate Clothes – 90+ tips for donating clothes and a list of national and local organization to help you find where to donate clothes in your area.

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What to Donate to an Animal Rescue Shelter – Help your local animal shelter & make the maximum impact by knowing what to donate to help the animals, with these 35 donation ideas that are under $10 each.

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How to Make a Blessing Bag – 30 tips on how to make a blessing bag filled with personal care items. What to include & not to include based on years of experience making care bags.

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Homeless Care Package –  Build a family tradition and give happiness with a homeless care package.

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Donate a Floor Cleaning Kit – What to include in a floor cleaning kit to donate to your community.

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What to Donate to a Veterans’ Hospital – Support veterans and military members with donations that are really needed. Ideas about what to donate to a veterans hospital or military medical center.

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New Baby Gift Idea – Donate a Gift Bag – Tips on what to put in a baby bag to donate to a new mom in your community.

purple gift bag filled with baby items and with a gift tag.

Blessings Bags for the Homeless – Foot Care – Tips to make blessing bags for the homeless for foot care with free printable notes. A family or group project that can be created with children as young as two or three.

Supplies for foot care kit with text overlay

Thanksgiving Care Kits – Tips for making Thanksgiving blessing bags or homeless care packages. This is a wonderful family activity that also makes a meaningful family tradition.

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Donate Your Extra Candy to the Troops – Wondering what to do with extra candy after the holidays or a party? Why not donate it.

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Act of Kindness Homeless Gift Bag – Ideas of what to add to a gift bag to donate to a homeless shelter.

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DIY Santa Sack for Christmas Toy Donations – Tutorial for easy to sew gift bag for toys donations.

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Tips

  • When volunteering, be sure to choose an organization that you are interested in and that you feel passionate about. This will help you stay motivated and make the most of your time.
  • If you are donating money, be sure to do your research and choose an organization that is reputable and that you feel confident will use your donation wisely.
  • If you are starting your own organization, be sure to have a clear plan and to be prepared for a lot of hard work. However, it can be very rewarding to see your organization make a difference in the lives of others.

3 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores and Not Feel Guilty – Three reasons to shop at your local thrift store and help others in your community.

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How to Go Thrift Store Shopping and Not Feel Guilty – How you can support your community and by shopping at charitable thrift stores.

White painted rock wall with text overlay that says "How to Go Thrift Store Shopping"

These simple yet powerful ideas can not only make a difference in someone’s life but also foster a sense of community and togetherness within families. By doing their part, families can set an example for others and inspire them to help those who are less fortunate. There are many other ways to make a difference, so get creative and find something that you’re passionate about.