As many as 3.5 million people in the United States are homeless during any given week. {source}
One of every six children in the United States is at risk for malnourishment. {source}
46.2 million people in the United States live at or below the poverty threshold as of September 13, 2011. {source}
The needs for food and clothing and compassion do exist exclusively in countries far away … and in all likelihood, they exist down the street or, at most, across town, from your own home. When we consider how we can give {live} beyond ourselves, we must not ignore the vast needs in our own neighborhoods. Last week I shared how a goat could change the lives of a family overseas through the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, today I’d like to encourage you to do something locally to make a difference in the life of a family or individual. Here are ten ways you can give in your community:
- Donate a bag of food to your local food pantry. {If you need assistance finding a food bank near you, Second Harvest can help.}
- Contact the Salvation Army and donate gently used or new coats they can distribute to those in need.
- Call a middle or high school and provide Christmas for one of their students who may otherwise do without. You can speak to the principal or guidance counselor about the needs and how you can get involved. Realize that these older kids are often forgotten in people’s desire to provide for younger children.
- Sponsor Christmas for a local crisis pregnancy center client. The staff or director of the pregnancy center can give you information about clients in need of assistance. {OptionLine can help you find a crisis pregnancy center in your area.}
- Carry blankets and food packets in your car to give to homeless in your town. {Kristi Stephens has a great booklet you can print out and include in your packets that shares the message of God’s love.}
- Provide Christmas gifts for a local nursing home resident who would otherwise do without. The administrator of the nursing home in your area will certainly be able to tell you about any residents who are in need.}
- Take cookies to the fire fighters or police officers who are on duty during Christmas Day.
- Donate money to your church’s fund to help those who are in need.
- Go caroling at the local pediatric unit. Contact the community relations or public relations department at your hospital to arrange this event.
- Serve a meal at a soup kitchen in your area.
Giving {Living} Beyond is not just about reaching beyond our nation’s borders … it’s about reaching beyond the borders of our own homes and even our own comfort zones. It’s about sacrifice and time offered up with no expectation of reward or personal benefit. But the truth is … when we seek to bless, we are the recipients of a far greater blessing. What are some other ways to help in our local communities?
Muthering Heights says
These are all fantastic ideas! You continue to amaze me. 🙂
Kristi says
Love this post!! SO true that we need to look in our own communities!! love you and your passion for others!!
Caroline says
I love all these ideas, too. #3 is an especially good idea!
Caroline recently posted…Ten Christ-Focused Christmas Activities to do with Toddlers and Preschoolers
jubilee says
You are so right. And these things aren’t hard to do, they just take a bit of effort on our part. Thanks for the great tips!
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