11 Valuable Ways to Give Back to the Community

2020-09-15T07:00:00.000Z

Philanthropy is the love of humanity. It is the act of giving back to the people, communities, and society because you care. At the core, giving starts from your heart and leads into action.

Charity and generosity have been a significant pillar of society since the beginning of human civilization. It is the act of caring for each other that has allowed humanity to thrive. As much as we don't think about it, we all need each other.

Philanthropic efforts help address deep-rooted problems within society. It increases wellness for people going through difficult circumstances. Overall, giving back encourages people to step outside of themselves and care about the world around them.

The best part? Giving back does not have to be lavish. It can be as simple as volunteering your time at the local foodbank. It can even be giving a helping hand to someone who is down on their luck.

Here are some valuable ways you can leave a legacy of positive impact in the world:

1. Serving meals for the homeless at the local food bank

Gather your friends and family and start serving meals to the people experiencing homelessness in your community. People who are experiencing homelessness should not be invisible or defined by their circumstances. By giving your love to people in challenging situations, you give a chance to build them up and see radical transformations.

2. Donating money to your favorite local charity

Do you have a charity whose mission resonates with yours? Find a charity that dedicates a large fund towards its mission and little towards operations. Set aside a portion of your income to donate to them. Every dollar counts, and the best part is the 501(c)(3) donations are tax-deductable.

3. Volunteering at the local senior center

Senior centers are always looking for people to drop by and say hello. Please spend some time with senior residents by reading stories, playing games, or playing music. You can use websites like Elder Helpers to help our senior citizen community with daily activities.

4. Donate to food drives

Many churches, community centers, and schools will host food drives to deliver to the local food banks. Donating a few extra items to food drives can make a difference in someone's lives. It's these small acts of kindness that keep some people afloat.

5. Donate blood

Donating blood can save someone's life. If you are a universal donor (type O- red blood cells), your blood cells can help any other blood type. Blood is a vital resource that can save lives during medical procedures and medical emergencies.

6. Set up donation collection jars at work

You can set up a collection jar at work to help collect money for a cause or a person in need. The cents add up fast. You can also turn to crowdsource websites like GoFundMe or Happiness2Others to raise awareness for specific causes.

7. Build a home for someone in need

You can donate time by helping out disadvantaged residents in your community through organizations like Habitat for Humanity. You can contribute hands-on labor or even provide appliances, furniture, or houseware to outfit the home.

8. Plan a community clean-up

The communities we live in often get cluttered over time. An easy solution is to plan a community clean-up at a park or at the ocean to make it more homely. A little bit here can go a long way, and your community will thank you for it.

9. Volunteer your skills

Most likely, you have a skill that is demand. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you can donate your time to local causes by designing graphics. The more in-demand your skill is, the more likely you can find someone that needs your help.

10. Mentor a student

If you are a person with a lot of life experience, you can pay it forward by mentoring a student. You can do this through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and get an opportunity to help at-risk youth.

11. Donate extra clothes and supplies to the needy

Your old clothes and supplies are always in demand. The local Red Cross and Goodwill are happy to put your clothes and supplies to good use. Items such as soap, toothpaste, or even makeup can be valuable donations.

Final Words

It doesn't take much to give back to your community. Every little bit helps. We are all blessed with the ability to be of service to each other. It takes a little bit of heart, care, and love to make the world a better place. You don't need to be a massive corporation to make a big difference. You can start small today—the little things, over a long time, compounds into something extraordinary.