The holiday season is about more than exchanging gifts; it’s an opportunity to spread kindness and love to those in need. As we gather and celebrate the spirit of togetherness, let’s keep in mind the countless ways to give back to those in our community. Not sure where to start? We’ve compiled a list of ways to show your support this season, including efforts the kiddos can even get involved with!

Easy Ways to Give Back

1. Shop Small: Support local businesses by shopping for your holiday gifts at small, independently owned shops. Your purchases directly benefit your community!

2. Donate Non-Perishable Food: Host a food drive or simply clean out your pantry and donate non-perishable food items to your local food bank or shelter.

3. Participate in a Toy Drive: Many organizations collect toys for underprivileged children during the holiday season. Pick up a few extra toys while shopping and drop them off at a collection point.

4. Pay It Forward: Next time you're in line at a coffee shop or drive-thru, pay for the order of the person behind you. It's a small act of kindness that can make someone's day.

Volunteering Opportunities

5. Serve at a Soup Kitchen: Spend a few hours volunteering at a local soup kitchen or shelter, helping to prepare and serve meals to those in need.

6. Wrap Gifts for a Cause: Many charities and organizations run gift-wrapping booths during the holidays. Volunteer your time to wrap presents, and the proceeds will likely go toward a good cause!

7. Organize a Park or Beach Cleanup: Gather a group of friends or family and spend a morning cleaning up a local park or beach. It's a great way to give back to your community and the environment.

8. Deliver Meals to the Elderly: Volunteer with a Meals on Wheels program to deliver hot meals and companionship to elderly residents who may have difficulty leaving their homes.

Kid-Friendly Ways to Make a Difference

9. Donate Toys They've Outgrown: Have your kids go through their toys and select gently used ones to donate to less fortunate children.

10. Bake and Share: Spend time in the kitchen baking cookies, brownies, or other treats and deliver these homemade goodies to local first responders, firefighters, or healthcare workers as a token of appreciation!

11. Make Handmade Cards: Gather art supplies and have your kids create handmade holiday cards to send to troops overseas or residents of local nursing homes.

12. Garden for Good: If you have a garden, involve your children in planting and maintaining it. You can then donate the produce to a local food bank or shelter!

Whether it's through simple acts of kindness, volunteering your time, or involving your kids in giving back, there are endless ways to spread love and make the world a better place during this special time of year.

Bonus Opportunity: Help support our A Million Meals program—in partnership with Save the Children—which helps deliver 1,000,000 nutritious meals to kids in food-insecure communities in America. Donate at checkout, or make a standalone donation at the bottom of this page.