Giving Back this Holiday Season
The holidays mean something different for everyone. For many, the holiday season can be a difficult time, especially for those who are experiencing loss. For others, it’s a time of laughter, joy, togetherness. Still for others, it can be a mixed bag. Grief intwined with hope; anxiety alongside peace; loneliness, even in a room full of people.
No matter what feelings the holiday season may evoke, one thing that can bridge the gap between how we feel and how we want to feel is giving back to our communities. When we unite around a common desire to infuse more good into the world around us, it can often alleviate some of the things that feel out of reach.
Giving Back to Organizations that Support Seniors
If you’re looking for organizations to give back to, here are some of our favorites that help address the various needs the senior adults have, including food insecurity, healthcare, social engagement, and companionship:
1. Meals on Wheels America
Mission: Provides nutritious meals for seniors who are homebound or have difficulty accessing food.
How Donations Help: Contributions help deliver meals to millions of seniors across the country, promoting both nutrition and social interaction, particularly during the holidays.
Website: mealsonwheelsamerica.org
2. AARP Foundation
Mission: Works to end senior poverty by helping older adults with housing, income, isolation, and hunger.
How Donations Help: Support programs that assist low-income seniors with basic needs like food, shelter, and access to community services, especially around the holidays.
Website: aarpfoundation.org
3. The Alzheimer's Association
Mission: Supports research, care, and advocacy for people living with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.
How Donations Help: Donations fund care services, research initiatives, and educational programs to support seniors and their families affected by Alzheimer's, particularly during stressful times like holidays.
Website: alz.org
4. Senior Planet by Older Adults Technology Services (OATS)
Mission: Empowers older adults to use technology to improve their lives and stay connected.
How Donations Help: Contributions help fund digital literacy programs, online learning opportunities, and technology training to keep seniors engaged and connected.
Website: seniorplanet.org
5. National Council on Aging (NCOA)
Mission: Advocates for improving the lives of older Americans, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.
How Donations Help: Funds help seniors gain access to health services, financial security, and resources to enhance their quality of life, particularly during the holiday season when loneliness can be more acute.
Website: ncoa.org
6. Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
Mission: Focuses on alleviating isolation and loneliness among older adults.
How Donations Help: Helps organize companionship visits, holiday celebrations, and social events for seniors who might otherwise spend the holidays alone.
Website: littlebrothers.org
7. St. Barnabas Senior Services (SBSS)
Mission: Provides social services, meal programs, and wellness activities for older adults, particularly in underserved communities.
How Donations Help: Contributions provide hot meals, wellness checks, and companionship for seniors who may lack family or social connections, especially around the holidays.
Website: sbssla.org
8. Pets for the Elderly Foundation
Mission: Helps cover the adoption fees for seniors who adopt pets from participating shelters, offering companionship and joy.
How Donations Help: Funding supports the adoption process for older adults who may benefit from the companionship of a pet, reducing loneliness all year round.
Website: petsfortheelderly.org
Giving Back Locally
Looking for more localized ways to impact your community? Here are some creative ways to be involved locally:
Host a food drive during your holiday parties/meals; encourage guests to bring non-perishable food or personal hygiene items to your gathering. Afterward, all of the items collected can be donated to your local foodbank to help those in need inside your own community. *Remember, check with your food bank about what they can use!
Do you like to knit or crochet? Gather your crafty friends and get together to make scarves, hats, and gloves. As the weather grows colder, there are lots of folks in your community who can benefit from something warm. Perhaps contact a local women’s shelter or foster care program to see if they have need for such donations.
If you are part of a book club, maybe you and your book club friends would like to volunteer to host a story hour at a local school before winter break? Get in touch with local school leaders in your area to see what they might need!
It’s never too late to get involved in giving back – whether by financially supporting an organization that helps seniors, or by donating needed items to help care for your neighbors at a local level. Donations given during the holiday season can make a significant difference in the lives of those near and far.