10 Ways to Help Others In Your Community

Ways to Help Your Community

1. Help your local food pantry. Today, there are an estimated 12 million children struggling with hunger in America. Contact your local food pantry or give to our partner No Kid Hungry. Your support will help them provide food items for families in need. 
   
   
2. Give blood if you’re able. Red Cross and other organizations are in dire need of blood supply and have safe, healthy ways for you to donate. 
   
   
3. Volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great way to support your community. Volunteering opportunities can range anywhere from cleaning up the neighborhood to planting a community garden. Save the Children offers volunteer opportunities – learn more about volunteering with us!


4. Never leave children unsupervised in parked cars. As temperatures rise, children, elderly adults and pregnant woman are most at risk during a heat wave. A child left inside a car is at risk for severe heat-related illness or death, even if the windows are cracked open.


5. Check on neighbors and family members, especially those who live alone, are elderly, have health or mobility issues or are caring for children. Schedule time to remotely connect with these individuals regularly to let them know they are not alone. 
   
   
6. Support local businesses, schools and child care centers: When possible, purchase gift cards to local shops businesses online that you can use once storefronts reopen, and uplift those who are trying to keep afloat. Due to COVID-19, many child care centers across the country have been forced to shut down. Through Save the Children’s political advocacy arm – Save the Children Action Network – we are building bipartisan to support financial relief for the child care industry during the pandemic. Learn how you can join us to take action. 
   
   
7. Provide support to frontline health workers and first responders: Many health workers are not able to stay at home and are working around the clock, so take on tasks that they don’t have time to do as an expression of gratitude.
   
   
8. Assist in local or online fundraising efforts. Look into options that provide much-needed supplies to families, such as Amazon Wish Lists, as well as the work of your local community and volunteer organizations. You can also fundraise for children or donate your birthday to support children in need around the world. 
   
   
9. Stay informed and stay calm: Only share information from credible sources like your state department of health or the CDC. Remember, when you stay calm, others will follow.
   
   
10. Take care of yourself and others: Practice patience, kindness and mindfulness. Encourage others to do the same!