Thanksgiving volunteering: ways to give back

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on and be grateful for everything you have in life. For many people, it’s also a time to give back to their community. If you’d like to start a tradition of volunteering for the holidays, here are some ideas.

• Feed the hungry. Help out at a local soup kitchen by preparing or serving meals to the homeless. You can also start a food drive or pick up some non-perishable food items at the grocery store to donate to a food bank.

• Visit the elderly. Visit a local nursing home and spend time with someone who may not have friends or family members around during the holiday season. Read to them, sing songs or simply get to know them by asking questions about their life.

• Take care of animals. If you’re an animal lover, consider helping out at a shelter. Animal rescues are often in need of people to walk dogs and play with the other animals. You can also sign up to foster a cat or a dog while it awaits a permanent home.

While it’s wonderful to give back during the holidays, remember that there are organizations and people that need help all year long. If you can manage it, consider making your new tradition of volunteering a monthly habit rather than an annual event.