During the winter months, charities need extra assistance as they work with the challenges of cold weather and the holidays. These five causes need additional help right now, and can do more with your donations of supplies and money.
1. Children
Low-income and foster kids have an especially hard time during the holiday season, when a lack of money can mean no Thanksgiving or holiday meals, and no toys under the tree.
How you can help
- Donate gifts: Give toys to your local Toys for Tots drive or to Sleep Train’s Secret Santa toy drive.
- Donate money: Help Foster Care Support Foundation provide services to foster care children: $50 gives two foster kids warm coats, hats, and gloves.
2. Animals
This time of year, many animal shelters are overrun with animals, and, cold weather means they face even more challenges. .
How you can help
- Donate supplies: Give warm beds and bowls of food—Take old towels and blankets to your local shelters, and donate pet food.
- Donate money: Help the ASPCA feed homeless puppies and kittens ($25 feeds an animal for three weeks), or give to your local animal shelter (just search by zip code).
3. Hunger
In a season that revolves around food, charities that help the hungry are stretched to fill food packages and supply meals.
How you can help
- Donate Food: Find a local food bank and donate canned goods or start a food drive yourself.
- Donate Money: As a unique gift, give a friend or loved one a “gift basket” of four charities, hand-picked by JustGive, that are working to prevent hunger.
4. Homelessness
The homeless need extra care during the freezing-cold winter months. Help them stay warm and provide the basic necessities.
How you can help
- Donate Supplies: Create a care package to give to individual homeless people, or find a local homeless shelter and donate, warm clothing, blankets, over-the-counter medications, travel size toiletries, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
- Donate Money: Help the Homeless Youth Alliance provide 25 pairs of socks to homeless kids ($30). Or, find a local homeless shelter (just search by zip code) and give so they can take care of the homeless in your area.
5. Disaster Recovery
Many victims of recent natural disasters lost all their possessions and may have no place to live during a time of year that should bring comfort and joy. Give them a reason to smile this season by helping them recover.
How you can help
Donating supplies may seem like a great idea, but an influx of tangible items is often difficult to handle and to deliver after a disaster, when systems are overtaxed. Donating money is a better choice and allows nonprofits working in the area to provide what survivors need most—even sourcing items locally that can help rebuild their economy.
Donate money to help survivors recover from:
- Midwest Tornadoes (November 2013)
- Typhoon Haiyan (November 2013)
- Oklahoma Tornado (May 2013)
- Hurricane Sandy (October 2012)
This holiday season, put your money in the hands of the charities making a difference for these pressing causes. That creates a happy holiday for you and for those in need.
