Give Thanks by Giving Back! – Volunteering in SWFL
The holiday season is just around the corner. Quality time with loved ones, extravagant spreads of turkey and pumpkin pie, and a warm feeling of thankfulness for everything we have. But for many, this season can feel stressful, uncertain, or lonely and this year has been no exception. November is the perfect time to not only give thanks, but to give back to your community or a stranger in need. Here are a few ways you can give thanks by giving back.
Volunteer or donate to a food bank.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is one of the many organizations to which you can give your time to help feed the hungry. They feed 28,000 people every week through food drives and mobile food pantries powered by volunteers. There are many ways to get involved, from packing emergency food kits to distributing them Southwest Florida. If you’d like to help but are unable to give your time, they are accepting donations through their website.
https://donate.
Volunteer at the animal shelter.
Our furry friends deserve some love around the holidays and every other day in between. The Gulf Coast Humane Society relies on volunteers for most of the general care of their animals. The staff is looking for help to walk (or another form of exercise) and groom dogs and cats. Special event help is greatly sought after too!
Volunteer at the soup kitchen.
Can you cook or serve up some food? Country-wide, soup kitchens and other meal programs tend to see an uprise in helpers and food during the holidays. If interested you can be incredibly helpful in preparing and serving meals to guests who visit the giving programs. The Community Cooperative, Inc. located in Fort Myers, is in charge of the Meals on Wheels program. They are always needing drivers to help deliver fresh meals to those in need straight to their homes.
Donate a turkey.
St.Matthews House is an organization that supports the homeless community in SWFL. Every year they host their ‘Turkey Drop’ in which businesses donate turkeys that will help provide 2,000 Thanksgiving meals. A great way to help would be by donating a turkey or distributing turkeys at the annual event. Help fight hunger in your community and lend a helping hand.
No matter what you are capable of giving – time, money, energy, or items – make your holiday brighter by blessing someone else!
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