Giving Back This Holiday Season

With so many people in need this holiday season, it’s difficult to decide where to donate our time and funds.  We’ll try to make that a little easier for you.  We’ve selected a few local organizations so you can plan on where you want to dedicate your “giving thanks” this year, as well as how you can incorporate your family when giving.  After all, some of our most meaningful memories as a family can come from these moments where we work together helping those who need it most!

Help fight hunger in NYC:

• Support 1.5 million NY’ers and volunteer with the Food Bank of NY.  Help pack meals for pantries, ensure food doesn’t go to waste or help seniors at their Harlem Site.  
• Through FeedingNYC you can either donate funds or volunteer at their Thanksgiving event.  By donating $35, you will adopt a Manhattan mini storage box filled with a full Thanksgiving meal to be given to a family in need.    Want to do something in person?    On November 21st help them deliver the food to families and shelters across NYC.  

Help keep NY’ers warm this winter season:

• NY Cares needs you to support their annual coat drive, which begins November 14th.  Last year they distributed over 100k coats!   Let’s help them beat the record this year.  How about starting your own coat collection and see how many you can collect?  

Organize a company volunteer event:

• Here are some creative ideas, like organizing a blood drive, sponsoring an event, or maybe it’s building something together, through Habitat of Humanity!

Help give back as a family:

• Get your exercise in AND help raise funds by joining “The Race to Deliver” in Central Park on November 19th.  There is an adult run and there are also races for your children - all in the name of fundraising!  
• Consider working with CAMBA, where you fill up your cart at the grocery store with your children and bring the food to one of the many destinations in Brooklyn.
• How about helping at a soup kitchen? Masbia operates soup kitchens in Flatbush and Borough Park, Brooklyn, as well as Rego Park in Queens, and welcomes the help of volunteers 10 and older to serve hot meals to all who enter.
• Finally, if you’re finding it difficult to find time around the busy holiday season, consider donating time as a family during other months of the year, as folks don’t only need help during the holidays.  On “Doing Good Together” you can check back each month to see what the volunteer opportunities are in NYC.  As the website says so perfectly: “ignite your family’s compassion building”.