3 Easy Ways to Help your Community

I do believe the majority of us have a desire to help out within our community, but we are halted do to time commitments or simply not knowing what to do. Another holdback may be that certain things are often time difficult topics to discuss with our children so we may unknowingly remove ourselves from even considering these ways of volunteering.

The same goes for my family. There are certain times of the year I find we are more apt to volunteer for projects within our community. Also I have completely avoided certain projects because of kids, commitments, time, and feeling like I'm over extending myself.

Y'all, I want to first relieve you from the guilt of feeling as if you aren't contributing enough. I believe we all have seasons of life where time is more easy to come by and where we feel we have the energy to GIVE more of ourselves. Other seasons we may be exhausted and overwhelmed simply taking care of our own flock. That is okay.

I also want to tell you kids are givers at heart. They thrive when put in situations where they show love to others through giving of time and things. Don't let uncomfortable conversations hold you back from allowing your kids to exercise the act (and responsibility) of giving to others in need.

When Zion and Elle were 6 and 7 we did our first family volunteer activity. We joined a group at a local church (not our own) and made lunches for the homeless in Nashville. The adults were in charge of food and the kids were in charge of decorating the paper bags the lunches were packed. They drew pictures and wrote Bible verses and shared special words of encouragement. We then all split into groups to deliver the lunches. The organizer of the outreach was very gentle in the process of understanding some situations may not be the best for young children. The volunteers without kids went out onto the streets and underpasses to pass out the lunches. The volunteers (like us) with children went to local homeless shelters. Once we arrived at the shelter, we were taken into a large room where we could pass out the lunches. The entire process was safe and well managed which allowed me as a parent to feel comfortable. Our kids are now 12 and 13 and have such a heart for the homeless in our community and I truly believe it is because we allowed them to see the need at a young age. Now that we have Hollis who is still 3 we don't volunteer as a family of 5 yet. Most places won't allow little ones in their facilities for safety reasons, but I also feel it limits me in my ability to focus on the task at hand.

Whatever your reason for looking for easier ways to volunteer, I've listed 3 options below that can be done primarily at home or while you are already running errands for your household.

1. CALL THE LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

At the beginning of each school year, the schools identify the families who are in need of a little extra help. This can be in the form of clothing or needing food on the weekends. If your kids are already in school, I would start with their school. If not, look up the elementary school in your district. Call the front office and ask if you could donate clothing and or food for children in need. Another great option would be to ask if you can pay off overdrawn lunch accounts.

2. CARE PACKAGES FOR THE HOMELESS

In our community I can think of at least 3 places where we come into contact with the homeless. Sometimes they are requesting money, but I don't always (read: never) keep cash on hand. I also like giving them things they won't have to purchase with the money they do collect during the day. Head to the dollar store and pick up supplies. Waters, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, socks, wet wipes, feminine pads, dry shampoo. chapstick, hand sanitizer, granola bars, flashlight. I also like to go to Goodwill and grab a book for each bag too. You can add a note inside with a Bible verse or a note of encouragement and then package all of your goods in one of these inexpensive waterproof bags from Amazon. Grab your kids and fill the bags and then keep the bags in the back of your car. Whenever you see someone in need, offer them a care package.

3. GIVE DINNER TO ANOTHER FAMILY

I think we all can agree helping others within our community extends beyond those who aren't at their best financially. There are people all around us living in beautiful homes and driving top notch cars that may be struggling in ways we don't know or can't even imagine. Don't they deserve our help too? The best way I know how to do this is leave a spaghetti dinner on their porch. Grab some noodles and pasta sauce, add a baguette and do a porch drop off. Leave a little note saying you love them. Period. I doesn't have to be homemade food or super fancy take out and you don't even have to go into detail as to why you wanted to do it. I can promise you the act alone is enough.

Life should never be too busy for us to extended love to someone else. I'd love to hear of ways you and your family choose to volunteer or give to your community with busy, hectic schedules.