With the holidays right around the corner, GHELI’s staff members have been thinking about meaningful ways to give back the community, despite and especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some have “adopted a family” to take care of the wish lists of families needing extra support, others are donating money and supplies, or helping out by donating meals.
For those looking to give back this holiday season, we’d like to share a few noteworthy organizations in Massachusetts that are taking the initiative to give families extra support during this time of year:
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston: This organization recently started having volunteers build sites again, while also accepting financial donations and new and gently used furniture donations to its ReStore. Habitat also has an official car donation program called Cars for Homes, where people can donate vehicles to support low-income families.
- My Brother’s Table: This organization is currently distributing meals in a contactless, to-go fashion and enforcing social distancing while also limiting the number of people inside. People can register to make dinner and lunch bags at home for the organization’s virtual fundraising walk, Walk Your Block. My Brother’s Table hopes to collect 1,000, $20 gift cards to grocery stores to be distributed for Thanksgiving and Christmas by December 18.
- Rosie’s Place: Rosie’s Place is a women’s shelter that seeks to provide meals and a safe space for 12,000 women through wide-ranging support, housing, and educational services. While on-site volunteering is suspended, people can donate gifts this year for its guests. Individuals can find the organization’s most up-to-date information on its holiday giving page.
- The American Red Cross of Massachusetts: This local branch is accepting volunteers and will be working with Boston Public Schools as well as other local organizations in the city’s Grove Hall area to distribute food for Thanksgiving. The organization is also in critical need of blood donations at this time.
Remember, if giving money right now is not financially feasible, there are many organizations looking for food, personal protective equipment (PPE), hard-to-find supplies, computers, and clothing. There are also skills that are high in demand to benefit vulnerable populations, such as sewing, web design, legal aid, financial services, and virtual fitness. Reaching out to hospitals, health centers, and charities in your community is a wonderful first step to get on a path that feels fitting this holiday season, made easier by Charity Navigator, a tool which allows you to find charities that align with your interests. While volunteering may look different this year compared to others, we’d love for you to join us in giving back this season in whatever way makes you feel the holiday spirit too.