A How-To Guide for Giving Back
As a child, I remember how difficult it was for me to fathom that there were people out there, some of them my own age, who didn’t have enough food to eat each day, clean clothes to wear, or warm beds to sleep in each night. I couldn’t understand why, when some of us have so much, others have so little – and to be honest, I still don’t fully understand that. What I do understand, now more than ever, is the importance of giving back in our communities and beyond. Not sure how to get started? I’ve got some ideas for you….
Find Your Passion
Some of my earliest memories surrounding serving my community involve volunteering at my local food bank. My sisters and I would wake up exceptionally early for a Saturday morning, and head to the local distribution center with our dad. There, we would collect information, distribute food boxes, and direct traffic. Because of these early experiences, I am passionate about donating my time and resources to food insecurity. What are you passionate about? Where are your life experiences pulling you? Take some time to explore what causes you are passionate about and do some research about the organizations near you that support those causes.
Start Locally
There are a TON of reputable, trustworthy, and well-intentioned non-profit organizations out there, and it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. There is also no shortage of worthy causes out there to support, and this can be discouraging. Start locally! A quick Google search can help you find organizations near you that support the causes you’re passionate about.
Take Baby Steps
Start small! Depending on where you are in your life, you may have time to donate but not finances. Alternatively, you might have the expendable resources to contribute financially to the causes you choose to support. Whatever you are able to give, do so. In the words of Mother Teresa, “We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”