Want to give back during the holidays? Here is what you can do. According to Zerohedge,

“65 percent of all children in the United States live in a home that receives aid from from the federal government.” Although Christmas is not about receiving gifts, the parents of children living in poverty, probably do not have enough money to spend on toys for their children during the holidays. There are endless opportunities all around the world to help these families get food, presents, and any other necessities needed during the holidays.

Toys for Tots: Toys for Tots has programs all around the world and has various drop off locations for new and lightly used toys. You can even host a Toys for Tots event at you home, office, or other venue to collect toys for this cause. According to Toys for Tots website their mission is to, “Deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.” They collect new and unwrapped toys during October, November, and December every year.

National Honors Society Can Drive: Pentucket Regional High School’s National Honors Society students do a can drive every year. President Siobhan O’keefe explains their goal and mission is, “To help people and children around the holidays, that’s why we do it around this time of year.” They are collecting non perishable food and toiletries that go to families in need. This drive will run from Dec. 4 to Jan. 10.  

Jacob Wangler book drive: Senior, Jacob Wangler is running a book drive for his Eagle Scout project. This fundraiser includes care kits for children at Boston Children’s Hospital that are undergoing chemotherapy. In the care kits there are books, drawings pads, playdough, toy animals, as well as other items. To help, you can donate children’s books that are new or gently used for children ages 4 to 6. Wangler’s book drive ends on Dec. 21.

Common Ground Food Pantry: Common Ground Food Pantry is an organization that provides food for the homeless and indigent in the inner-city Acre neighborhood of Haverhill. They have services that take place from the last Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and sometimes Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. According to Common Grounds website their overall mission is to “Build, unite, and call the body of christ to action through compassionate feeding, clothing, and caring for our community’s low-income and homeless residents.”

The holiday season is a time of giving and it is crucial during the holidays to remember that it is better to give to those less fortunate than to receive.