Spoiler alert for absolutely no one: The holidays are quickly approaching! I love this time of year- holiday anticipation is building, people seem to be in good spirits, the air even feels different. This time of year also reminds us of our blessings and challenges us to find ways to bless others. This holiday season, I’m setting a goal for my family to seek out and participate in as many acts of service as we can. If you and your family want to do the same, I’ve listed a few local options to get involved this November and December. Hopefully we’ll run into you at a few of them!

PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SERVICES- An easy way to serve others is to partner with existing organizations by finding out what they need help with and then working to meet those needs. Below are just a few organizations you can partner with to serve others this holiday season.

Frisco Family Services
There are so many ways to contribute to Frisco Family Services as they work to provide for the underserved in our community. You can take your kids shopping for needed food pantry items for donation, or you can organize a food drive with your child’s preschool, play group, or church. No matter how you choose to contribute to Frisco Family Services, your donation will go straight to those who need it most. If you’re not local to Frisco, contact your local food pantry to find out how you can help there this holiday season.

Lovepacs
Lovepacs serves children who are on the free or reduced lunch program by providing them with non-perishable, easy to open, and minimal cooking food items during times when school is out of session, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Lovepacs has divisions across North Texas. Visit the Lovepacs website to select your area and see what items are needed and how you can contribute.

Feed My Starving Children
FMSC is a Richardson-based NPO that serves hungry children and families throughout the world. We are lucky to have them in North Texas so we can volunteer directly with them by packing MannaMeals. The next packing party, for which FMSC needs 5,000 volunteers, is happening November 15-17 in Irving. Visit the FMSC website to sign up to help pack meals.

Minnie's Food Pantry
Located in McKinney, Minnie’s is a great place to donate food items or your time. Minnie’s serves many different needs groups, including senior citizens and veterans. Visit the website to find out how you can donate needed items or time to Minnie’s this holiday season.

Operation Christmas Child
Each year, my family gets so much joy out of packing shoeboxes with simple Christmas gifts and toiletry items for children in countries negatively impacted by hunger, war, and natural disasters. Visit the website to see how you can partner with Samaritan’s Purse to provide some basic needs items, simple presents, and the Good News of Jesus to children in need. Collection week is coming up November 18-25!

OTHER WAYS TO SERVE- If you are unable to partner with an existing organization, or just want to take another path in your service, here are a few ideas of things your family can do to get involved this holiday season.

• Make Thanksgiving and Christmas cards and hand-deliver to a local nursing home

• Ask your children’s teachers if they’ve observed any child in their class who is in need of a winter jacket and provide one- you don’t need to know who the child is, only the size of coat they wear

• Volunteer at a local animal shelter, or donate needed items such as pet food and blankets/towels

• Clean out your closets and donate gently used items, especially coats and warm clothes, to a local community outreach center

• Participate in “Random Acts of Kindness” by leaving encouraging notes or cards around town for others to find- it’ll bring them joy

• Pick up the tab the next time you see military or law enforcement members eating at a restaurant

• Bake cookies for neighbors or church members

• Donate blood (adults only, obviously)

• Contact your local church to find out if they are offering any service opportunities (for example, my church just hosted a large packing party for local food pantries at which hundreds of members were able to easily participate)

This time of year offers many ways for us to help others and, by example, model love, compassion, and service to our children. I’d love to know how your family plans to give back this year. Drop me a comment and let me know!