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How To Start a Food Drive in Your Town

admin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

There are hungry people in every community. One of the best ways to make sure that everyone has something to eat is to organize a food drive. When neighbors help neighbors, a sense of community develops. People who come for food may have something to offer those that have more money than them.

As with any charity work, volunteers are important. Before requesting volunteers, define the roles you need to fill. You may need someone to load a truck, someone to create flyers and someone to manage the traffic at the drop-off location.

If you will be donating the proceeds of your food drive to a local organization, contact them before you get started. They may have useful information to help you get started and plan a successful food drive.

You must advertise your food drive in as many places as possible. Your local schools may be willing to send flyers home with the children. Churches may announce your work in their bulletin and local radio stations may allow air free advertisements for the event.

A centralized drop-off location can ensure maximum participation. If residents can drop off food donations at a place that is visible and convenient for them, they will be more likely to participate in the food drive.

Charity Starts at Home

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Humanitarian organizations throughout the U.S. offer vital services and support to people in need. A simple Internet search can yield thousands of opportunities to donate, volunteer and help folks in your local community and abroad. Here are three of the top humanitarian organizations that you can work with to make the world a better place:
UNICEF”The United Nations Children’s Fund works to protect children throughout the world. The organization has five different focus areas through which it seeks to accomplish its goals: child survival and development; basic education and gender equality; children and HIV/AIDS; child protection; policy advocacy and partnerships. UNICEF is a great organization to get involved with, especially if you want to teach your own children the values and importance of helping others.
Habitat for Humanity”Local chapters of Habitat for Humanity foster local humanitarian efforts throughout the U.S. You can donate, volunteer your time or shop at your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Meals on Wheels”Meals on Wheels is a great way to get involved in a program that specifically benefits the elderly and other home-bound members of the community. Volunteering with Meals on Wheels gives you an opportunity to reach out one-on-one to brighten someone’s day and help end senior hunger.
Donating to any humanitarian organization not only offers a way to positively impact the life of another person, it makes you feel good. Donating dollars, clothing and household items, or your time to help other people fosters your own sense of self-esteem and gratefulness for the things in your life that other people may go without. Even if you don’t think it’s possible for you to donate, there may be opportunities right under your nose. Shopping retailers that give back to humanitarian organizations is a near effortless way to contribute. Explore the charitable landscape of things you already consume, like electricity. Find comparison sites, such as www.ShopElectricityRatesTexas.com, to see what options exist locally.

5 Benefits of Volunteering in Your Community

admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Volunteering is one of the best things that you can do to better your community. Below are some of the benefits that come along with volunteering:
Helps those who are less fortunate

There are millions of people who are less fortunate. Even though you cannot reach everyone, volunteering will give you the chance to help a few people.

Improves your self esteem

Doing something for other people can help you feel better about yourself. Studies have also volunteering can help depressed people overcome their depression.I found some more information href=’http://www.insidehalton.com/community/community/article/1360340′>here.

Looks good on a resume

Today, employers are looking for well-rounded individuals. If you spend time volunteering, you will enhance your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.

Teaches you important skills

Volunteering can teach you important skills that can benefit you later in life. For example, if you spend time volunteering at a nursing home, you can develop skills that can prepare you for a career in nursing.

Makes you feel appreciated

Sometimes in life, we do things for other people, and we still do not feel appreciated. However, people who are less fortunate are usually thankful for every kind gesture that they get. If you volunteer, you can rest assured that your hard work will not go unnoticed.

How Your Old Household Items Cab Be Donated to Charities

admin — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

From small little tchotchke knickknacks to household goods such as pots and pans, charities around the country accept these types of items as donations. When going through things in your house that you no longer have use for anymore, consider donating them instead of throwing them in the trash. While you may not need the item anymore, others may be able to benefit from it. Donating does not have to be a long and drawn out process. By simply bagging up some items and making a quick phone call, the work will be done for you.

Many charities, such as the Lupus Foundation of America and the American War Veterans, make it their mission to receive donations of clothing and house hold goods. Charities will sometimes send out postcards letting you know when they will be in your area and that they will come to pick up your donations by simply calling. After bagging your items, mark the bags with the name of the charity that you are donating to and place them on your front steps or on the curb the night before the scheduled donation. This gets unwanted items out of your house and gives them to those that can use it.

Top Humanitarian Organizations in the Country

admin — Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Red Cross is one of the most common organizations that people can volunteer for in the United States. There are classes that you need to take in order to help with the organization. The Red Cross helps people who have lost their homes in natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. They also help people who have lost their home because of a fire. If you want to volunteer, you need to call your local chapter to find out exactly what certifications you need in order to help.
The Salvation Army is another great organization that you can get involved in. they are known for the Angel Tree that is set up at Christmas, but this is only one thing that the organization does to help others. The Salvation Army helps people who do not have money to pay their bills or buy food. If a family loses their belongings because of a fire, the organization can help with furniture and clothing. They also help families who have lost their jobs. There are no requirements to be a volunteer, but you should be at least 18 unless you are helping with another family member. You can work in a Salvation Army store by sorting clothing and accepting donations.

Volunteer Opportunities in Your City or State

admin — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Volunteering is one of the best things that you can do by yourself or with your family. There are several places in most cities that depend on volunteers in order to be a success to those in need.
Pregnancy centers offer help to mothers of all ages who have nowhere to turn when they find out they are pregnant. The people who go to resource centers might be teenagers who have been turned away by their family, or they could be mothers who donâ€™t have a lot of money to provide the needs for their new baby. As a volunteer, there are a few things that you can do. You can donate items to the center so that mothers can have things to choose form for their baby. You can also collect money from your family and friends to donate to the center. One of the easiest things that you can do is spend time at the center talking to the women or helping them learn about pregnancy and their new baby.
Soup kitchens are a great place to take your family if you want to volunteer. There are people at these locations that might stay there at night because they do not have a home to go to. You can help by serving a meal or cleaning the facility.

5 Ways That You Can Help the Hungry in Your Community

admin — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Every neighborhood is affected by hunger in some way. While the problem is a world wide concern, you can take small steps in your own neighborhood to eliminate the hunger problem.

1. Volunteer. In addition to organizations specifically developed to feed the hungry, churches, homeless shelters and soup kitchens all provide food for the needy. They also all rely upon volunteer work to serve those in need.

2. Donate. Whether you’re donating non-perishable items or money, organizations devoted to feeding the hungry need your help. Donating can be as easy as picking a couple of extra cans of green beans off the shelf when you’re grocery shopping and giving them to your local homeless shelter.

3. Organize a bake sale. Bake sales are a common way to spread the word about the hunger problem. All participants in the sale should agree ahead of time that all proceeds will go to a charity that fights hunger.

4. Spread the word. Many people simply don’t realize that hunger is a problem in their communities. Talk to your neighbors and talk to schools about their hunger awareness programs.

5. Talk to your elderly neighbors. The elderly are on an increasingly restricted budget and have to choose between meals and medicine. Bringing them leftovers or volunteering to help with their meals can help prevent them from going hungry.