Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

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Many of us get wrapped up in our own family’s needs/wants during the holiday season.  We may forget to acknowledge others who are less fortunate.  The holidays are a time of teaching our children what is really important, giving and opening our hearts to others.  All you have to do is look in your backyard, and there will be plenty in need of your family’s love.

It’s so amazing that you don’t have to look hard or long here in Charleston to find great local charities…

East Cooper Meals on Wheels

Deliver daily nutrition to residents within our service area ( Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Cainhoy and Wando) who are homebound or unable to provide their own meals.  As a recipient-focused nonprofit organization, we are proud to direct 86% of our revenue back into our programs. We rely on support from individuals, businesses, churches, community organizations, grants, and fundraising events to continue delivering meals at no charge to our recipients.  They also have a new program, Blue Apron Meals, that serves individuals in outpatient treatment after transplants or other surgeries.

I love that this originated here, began over thirty years ago, and directly benefits our community.  If you’d like to see first hand where your donations are being utilized, this may be somewhere to consider spreading your holiday cheer.

If you know someone who might benefit from this service, you’d like to volunteer, or donate, please visit their website http://www.ecmow.org/Ways to give back during the holdiays

I ♥ Hungry Kids

Being a mom of two boys, this organization really hits home.  It was founded in 2013 by three brothers: Jackson, Gabriel, and Riley Silverman.
Their motto is simple: harness the power of kids helping kids to fight hunger in our community.  

There are a few ways you can support this charity:

  1. Attend a packing party at the Lowcountry Food Bank in North Charleston, where they provide children under the age of fourteen with hands-on opportunities to do good in their community.  Visit their website Ihearthungrykids.org to obtain more details on signing up for their next packing party!
  2. Host a change drive.  Encourage your children to inform others of this amazing charity and ask for contributions to directly benefit children in need in the Charleston area.
  3. Have your children get creative and make cards or simple thoughtful notes that can be packed into their boxes of food.
  4. Make a donation by giving money directly or by purchasing shirts and bags on their website.

Maybe we all should look at this world through the eyes of a child, it is just so simple to them.  A child is hungry, lets feed them!Ways to give back during the holidays

My Sister’s House

MY SISTER’S HOUSE, INC. is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980 that provides services, programs and resources to empower domestic violence victims and their children to live free from abuse. The organization operates an emergency temporary shelter at an undisclosed location for up to 36 women and children who flee abusive situations in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties in South Carolina.

Volunteers must fill out an application online and go through a multi-step process due to the nature of the organization.  You can also donate online to help fund their services to victims of domestic violence, just visit their website mysistershouse.org.Ways to give back during the holidays

One80 Place

Provide food, shelter and hope to end homelessness and hunger one person at a time.  When people come to us for help, they choose to enroll in our proven plan for success, which includes a medical exam and care, counseling, and participating in education or employment courses. 

Some of the services they offer:
Community kitchen that serves an average of 185 lunches a day.
Services specifically for Veterans, women and families.
Health care
Education and legal services

Isn’t it amazing how giving back to our community has evolved so?  If this has compelled you to volunteer or donate please visit their website at one80place.org.  You can sign up to be a volunteer, advocate monetary donations or food drives!  Ways to give back during the holidays

Tricounty Family Ministries

Another wonderful place for those seeking help not just for food and shelter but also for guidance and encouragement!

For over thirty years they have provided food, clothing, medical care, counseling, job training & placement, shelter, financial assistance and other vital services to the less fortunate in the tricounty area.

Healing Hands Ministry was added in 2002 to address health matters in our multi-tiered approach to bringing justice to the impoverished. 

Families in Transition began in 2003 with residential apartments and life coaching. The program expanded to incorporate counseling, financial education, computer skills, and job training.

Check their website out to learn more about this amazing ministry, their upcoming events, how to volunteer or where to donate food, clothes or funds.  tricountyfamilyministries.orgWays to give back during the holidays

Courageous Kidz

The goal of Courageous Kidz, Inc. is to pick up the pieces, when life goes awry, restore normalcy and give the Magic of Hope! We ARE a SAFE HAVEN for Kids with Cancer!

Your cash donations help us provide activities, trips, and events for children with cancer and their families from all over South Carolina.

If you are looking for a great Christmas gift visit their website to purchase an official 2015 Charleston City Ornament on their website!  Courageous Kidz benefits from every ornament sold.  

They would also love for you to volunteer at their next event for their very deserving recipients!
For more information please visit their website courageouskidz.org.Ways to give back during the holidays

 

Lowcountry Food Bank

Each year, neighbors roll up their sleeves and move mountains for hunger relief. There are many ways to help and your time makes a difference!

Children do have to be nine years of age or older to volunteer.  So if you have little ones and still want them to contribute, you could always help them host a small food drive and have them come along to drop off your donation to the food bank.  I believe if you have children old enough, it is a great opportunity for them to directly give back to the community.

Visit their website lowcountryfoodbank.org for more information.Ways to give back during the holidays

 

Expanding the Table

Ashley Ridge Church decided to put a kitchen on wheels to provide food to those in need, and it also gave an ideal opportunity to partner with other churches in the community by serving from their parking lots and involving their congregations.

It is a Summerville community-based outreach that they so desperately needed.

Visit their website for more information on donating or volunteering your time.

expandingthetable.comWays to give back during the holidays

Other ways to give back:

  • Local fire departments for food or toy drives.
  • Visit the Marines collecting toys at Citadel mall.  The city of North Charleston and local fire departments will hand deliver the donations early Christmas morning to less fortunate children in the Charleston area.
  • Volunteer your time or possibly a visit with your children to a nearby senior care residence.
  • Get involved in Church missions.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.” -Mother Teresa

What are some of your favorite local or worldwide charities? Arms outstretched, let’s do this together this holiday season!