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United Way Blog

5 Ways to Rethink Holiday Volunteering Traditions

2020 has been a year like no other, but it is still possible to fulfill our desire to give back during the giving season. Here are 5 ways to rethink your approach to volunteering during the pandemic.

  1. Hunger persists. If you normally sign up for a December shift at a food pantry or soup kitchen, be open to other ways of feeding people in need. Hunger alleviation organizations need all kinds of help, like delivering meals or boxes of food. Learn more about volunteering at food banks.
  2. Look at holiday wishlists. United Ways often work with area nonprofits to create lists of holiday needs and opportunities to give and serve.
  3. Adopt a family. Volunteers can be paired with a local family in need and provided with ages, clothing sizes, and special requests. Contact your local United Way for information and referrals to holiday programs in your community.
  4. Don’t forget about older children and youth. Toy drives abound during the holidays, but sometimes older children don’t benefit from those. United Way of Bucks County offers an annual holiday gift card drive for local teens in need; look for something similar in your town.
  5. Make it a family affair. These 6 kid-friendly ways families can volunteer virtually will help connect your family with the needs in your community, and provide a chance for your children to give as well as receive this holiday season.

Staying home is one of the best things we can do for others this holiday season. Your local United Way can provide you with a myriad of virtual volunteering ideas to do from home so you can stay safe and give back this season and in the New Year.