This year, it is more important than ever to give back to those in need. However, due to the pandemic, volunteers are now facing new obstacles they never expected. Despite the current state of the world, communities are still asking for help during the holidays. This is a season meant for giving, not receiving. It is the perfect time of year to put your focus on uplifting the hearts and spirits of those less fortunate. Here is a list of five different opportunities for you to give back to your community during this Christmas season. 

  1. Nursing Homes

Tallahassee is known for having many nursing homes. Therefore, there are a lot of opportunities to volunteer by calling up the closest nursing home and asking for a way to help. Due to Covid-19, nursing homes are obviously not allowing visitors for the safety of the elders living there. However, they offer many other volunteer opportunities during the holidays without having to make contact with those living in the facility. Some nursing homes ask for volunteers to “adopt” a resident for Christmas to give them presents, have volunteers virtually read books to the residents and accept donations like gift cards, blankets, stationary and more. Since residents are unable to see their families this year, it is important to make sure they still feel loved. There is hope for next year that volunteers will be able to visit nursing homes during the holidays yet again. 

  1. Meals on Wheels

No matter the time of year, Meals on Wheels allows people all over the country to deliver pre-made meals to different homes within their own communities. However, during the holidays, it is especially important that volunteers get involved to supply those who traditionally would not be having a holiday meal in order to help keep them nourished and satisfied. Meals on Wheels works by volunteers picking up meals at a central location and then delivering them, given a premade route to follow, to several homes within their particular community. If anyone is unable to actually participate in delivering the meals, Meals on Wheels happily accepts donations. 

  1. Animal Shelters

The Animal Shelter Foundation supports the Tallahassee Animal Services which provides a temporary home for animals without a family. Christmas is a time to come together with your family, dogs and cats included. However, adopting an animal is unquestionably a big commitment. Tallahassee Animal Services recognizes that and asks for donations for those who are unable to adopt. They are constantly in need of new and old items: canned foods, blankets, towels, canned cat food, dry dog food, heating pads, paper towels and more. In order to properly support the homeless animals, they also greatly appreciate financial donations.

  1. Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)

The RMHC is a place where families stay for weeks or months when their young family member is being locally treated for any illnesses or injuries. This provides a temporary home to ensure no family is divided and that they are able to stay close to their child who is hospitalized. On Dec. 18, Tallahassee’s RMHC is hosting their 22nd Annual Stone Crab Festival. However, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, this year the event is curbside only. How this event works starts with choosing a sponsorship level from a packet that is to be picked up at the RMHC. Depending on which sponsorship level someone chooses, the person would then be given a specific amount of gift cards to the event. Each gift card allows the individual to pick up two pounds of fresh stone crab claws. The lowest and least expensive sponsorship level, Anchor, is 200 dollars, which gives the sponsor two gift cards (four pounds total). Individuals can choose to keep the gift cards for themselves or instead give it to family and friends. The location where sponsors will pick up the crab claws in exchange for their gift cards is at Southern Seafood. This is a great opportunity to not only receive a delicious meal, but also help the children and families that RMHC supports. 

  1. Support Locally

Communities all over the world have been negatively affected by the lockdown brought on by the pandemic. Local businesses, like shops and restaurants, could use some help to financially bounce back. A simple and easy way to give back this holiday season is to support these local businesses. Buying gift cards from local shops and restaurants helps them out during these difficult times. To truly start making an impact, try making a list every week of local restaurants to visit or get takeout from. This is a great opportunity to try out new restaurants and visit new shops, while simultaneously supporting them.