The holiday season is an important time to think of others less fortunate than yourself. A simple way to show kindness this season and all year long is to say thank you to essential workers. Contact hospitals, fire and police stations to provide snacks or meals, give gift cards or simply say ‘Thank You’. If you’re new to charity work, choosing the right organization can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered 10 impactful ways to make a difference and spread joy this holiday season in San Francisco.
Shop Local. Small businesses and local artists need our support this year. Order online, call in purchases or order online to pick up gifts curbside. Gift cards are an easy and popular way to support a local small business and please the people on your shopping list. This can include coffee shops, boutiques, personal services, restaurants, and other local businesses.
Donate Clothing. Donate your new and gently worn coats to children, families, veterans, and seniors. One Warm Coat has drop-off centers blocks from NEMA. Make sure your coats are clean and wearable before donating them. Dress For Success provides support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. They are also asking for handbags, briefcases, jewelry, scarves, unopened toiletries and makeup. Drop your unwanted treasures off at Community Thrift (623 Valencia St. in the Mission) and allocate your goods to Meals on Wheels (#131).
Donate Hygiene Essentials. Project Homeless Connect is asking for In-Kind donations via a drive or directly from their Amazon Wishlist including much needed sleeping bags, backpacks, electronics, hygiene items and socks. Help empower a family or individual to reach their goals by donating hygiene items to Simply the Basics’ hygiene bank.
Don’t Forget Fido. Donate new and gently used items like towels, blankets, flat sheets, carriers/kennels, collars/leashes, and cat towers. Bring your donations in person or shop the SFSPCA Amazon Wish lists. Adopt or foster a four-legged friend this season of giving through Rocket Dog Rescue.
Donate Food. Food and Fund Drives can raise awareness about hunger and mobilize your community to provide food for neighbors in need. Every $1 donated can turn into enough food for 2 healthy meals for local families. The most effective way to support the Food Bank is with a financial donation. Learn how you can start your own Virtual Food Drive.
Donate Toys. Help bring the holiday spirit to patients and families of the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital by purchasing a gift from their Amazon wishlist. You may also donate directly to the Project Cheer Virtual Toy Drive. This campaign raises money so the staff can buy exactly what patients want and the hospital needs. The Salvation Army Angel Tree is accepting donations online to provide new clothing and toys to more than one-million children in need each year. GLIDE is hosting a Toy Drive with an Amazon Wishlist to make donating easy. GLIDE will be distributing toys to children (up to 11 years) who are enrolled in GLIDE programs.
Donate Time. Giving your time and energy to GLIDE programs is a great way to help those in need while forging personal connections within our community including toy sorting, meal delivery. You can host a Care Item Drive and gather a group of family, friends or colleagues and help GLIDE collect new items for care packages that will support our ongoing essential service efforts. Give your time and talents to help with projects around the City ranging from care for parks, trees, and animals to working with the government and adopting a street.
Get Crafty. You can send decorated pillowcases, make paracord lanyards and write letters to Veterans, First Responders, and Wounded Heroes through Operation Gratitude. Make handmade cards to that will make seniors smile as you tap into your artistic side to make Cards for Seniors that Meals on Wheels will distribute (along with holiday meals) to lift the spirits of homebound and isolated seniors and adults with disabilities.
Donate Your Old Cell. Operation Recycling is a joint recycling project of SmartphoneRecycling.com and Operation Gratitude. All recycling proceeds will support Operation Gratitude’s efforts to send care packages to U.S. service members & first responders worldwide.
Dine-Out + Tip Big. Order takeout & delivery from the spots you love and those hidden gems you’ve been meaning to visit. Plus, grab gift cards & merch to support local businesses. You can even consider catering for small household holiday gatherings. Your generous tip could turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one for someone working hard behind the scenes.
Whatever you do to give back this holiday season, make sure it has an impact.
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