5 Easy and Simple Ways to Help Others
As our communities have been ravaged by the spread of Covid-19, reaching out to help one another has become more important than ever. There are some people who want to give back to their communities, but they just don’t know how or where to contribute. This guide provides a few ideas that will help you lift up the lives of others in your area in meaningful ways.
1. Collect Food Donations
Low-income families and the homeless in your area are suffering more as a result of the suspension of services upon which they once relied. Just one example is the loss of free meals that children were given in school, forcing families to increase their monthly spending to compensate. You can help by donating non-perishable foods to a local food bank. Each time you go shopping, buy a few extra canned goods, packages of cereal, and other items that you can donate. To have a bigger impact, you can ask your neighbors, friends, and co-workers to contribute as well.
2. Donate an Old Car
If you’re considering getting a new car for your family, consider donating your current vehicle rather than trading it in. This is an option that many people consider as a means of making a tax-deductible donation.
There are many charitable organizations that have programs for accepting a donation of a vehicle, including the Kidney Foundation pickup program. While your vehicle may be worth a few thousand dollars to you as a trade-in, it will be worth far more to an organization that’s in need of support. Once the organization has your vehicle, they can use it themselves, or they may sell it and use the profit to benefit the programs they offer. Either way, your vehicle will be used to save lives.
3. Run Errands for Elderly or Disabled Neighbors
You don’t have to go far to find people in need of kindness and simple assistance. You may have senior or disabled neighbors in your community who need someone to help them run errands. Many elderly individuals face a greater risk of contracting Covid-19 or it may just be difficult for them to get around due to their own physical frailty.
In either situation, picking up groceries for them, delivering payments to utility companies, or helping them get other essential errands done will be greatly appreciated. You can also help them by dropping off a hot meal once or twice a week. Anything you do for your neighbors will be appreciated, and it will ensure those with failing health will have someone checking in on them from time to time.
4. Babysit for a Healthcare Worker
Many people want to do something to help out the healthcare workers in their communities in appreciation for their service. While there’s little you can do to make their jobs easier, you can help them in their personal lives by offering to babysit for them. Often, healthcare workers are single parents with little free time to spare, so volunteering to babysit or run errands will be a great help to them.
Since healthcare workers frequently work overtime, they may not have the time to pick up the essentials they need at home. You can offer to pick up those items for them, so they won’t have to worry about making it to a store early in the morning or late at night.
5. Volunteer as a Tutor
Students are struggling to learn in at-home situations with their parents feeling frustrated with the virtual learning experience. If you’re skilled with virtual learning or have the aptitude to teach others, you can help children learn better at home.
As we potentially face more lockdowns, students will continue to struggle to learn in challenging situations. Your ability to help them stay up to speed will benefit children in your community by giving them the extra guidance they need to excel in their studies. You’ll also help by taking some of the pressure off frustrated parents. You can use these tips as a springboard to help you come up with more ideas for helping others by using your creativity and imagination. Even when your actions seem small or inconsequential, helping one person at a time can have a broader impact. You may inspire others in your city to contribute their time and resources, leading to a community that’s stronger and closer.
