Giving back is good for the soul. It not only brings happiness to others, but it makes our own days brighter, too.
While donating money is a generous way to be of service, there are plenty of other opportunities to help that don’t involve dollars and cents.
If your heart feels called to serve, but you don’t really have the money to spare, check out our suggestions below. We’ve found a few alternatives that may speak to you.
Volunteer At A Local School
Florida has more than 6,000 public and private schools where children are preparing for the real world. Unfortunately, a severe teacher shortage in the state is making learning challenging. Volunteers can help by supporting schools in many ways — from tutoring and classroom assistance to lunch monitoring and after-school care.
You aren’t only appreciated by the staff, but by the children, too. Some students need one-on-one attention with homework or simply someone to talk to during recess. For many, school is the only source of stability in their lives, so they count on the staff and volunteers. By offering your time, you help children build confidence, which leads to better grades and higher self-esteem. It’s a great way to make a lasting impact.
Life inside a nursing home can be quiet and isolating. Many residents once had vibrant lives — serving in wars, championing rights, perfecting crafts and creating recipes even restaurants couldn’t match. Now, in their golden years, visitors are often scarce, and time moves slowly.
Unfortunately, loneliness is common, with one study showing that 61% of nursing home residents experience moderate loneliness and 35% experience it severely. According to the National Institute on Aging, regular interaction helps older adults maintain a healthy mental state. Something as simple as visiting, playing a game or listening to an older person's stories can make an enormous difference. Connection and conversation are vital in this stage of life, yet some residents never receive visitors. Your time and attention may be the highlight of someone’s week.
Help People Experiencing Homelessness
For people experiencing homelessness, even the simplest acts of kindness can make a difference. One easy way to help is by creating care packets filled with snacks and toiletries. Gather your family and friends and form an assembly line to fill gallon Ziploc bags with necessities such as socks, hand sanitizer, wipes and soap. Food items like beef jerky, canned fruit, protein bars and peanut butter crackers are also good additions that provide energy. Families with young children can make the project more meaningful by letting them add drawings or notes.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, about 23 out of every 10,000 Americans experienced homelessness in January 2024 — a total of 771,480 people. While the number is daunting, it also means there are countless opportunities to make someone’s day brighter. Even the smallest gesture of kindness can go a long way.
Pitch In On Yard Work
Florida’s warm climate gives us greenery year-round, but not everyone can keep up with their yard. Some homeowners face challenges such as disabilities or old age that make it hard to pull weeds, mow the lawn or tend to their garden.
If you have free time during the week, spend a couple of hours improving the yards of neighbors who need help. For those with a green thumb that are not sure where to start, contact your local community office about beautification projects. Some cities also sponsor days dedicated to mowing lawns or gardening for the elderly.
In Kansas, a man named Spencer helps strangers by mowing their lawns and sharing their reactions online. His channel, SB Mowing, has millions of followers across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His posts may have gone viral, but it’s the simple act of lending a hand that makes the biggest impact.
Donate Blood
There’s a reason why you see so many bloodmobiles in parking lots throughout the United States. An estimated 6.8 million people donate blood a year, and that equates to 13.6 million units of blood. That may sound like a lot, but the American Red Cross says the need is much higher.
Donating blood is an easy way to give back, as long as your doctor approves. All blood types are needed daily for surgeries, cancer treatments and organ transplants. The Red Cross notes that a single blood donation can be separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma, meaning one donation can help save more than one life.
Fill A Food Pantry
Have extra boxes of macaroni and cheese or canned vegetables you won’t use? Consider donating them to a local food bank. These nonprofits supply food to soup kitchens, shelters and community charities. Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, reports that more than 2 million people volunteer at food-related agencies every month.
Pantries often run low during the holidays and in the summer, when schools are closed. You can help by donating food, pitching in to sort and pack items or delivering meals to homebound clients. However you contribute, it’s a meaningful way to support neighbors in need.
Do A Birthday Fundraiser
Celebrating a birthday but not interested in gifts? Ask friends to donate to a charity of your choice, or let them support one that’s meaningful to them.
In recent years, more people have chosen to skip presents and create birthday fundraisers, inviting friends and family to give to nonprofits instead. The best part is that you can select a cause you care about. Love animals? Give to your local shelter. Care deeply about children? The Boys & Girls Clubs of America might be the right fit. Thousands of charities need support, so it’s easy to find one that resonates with you.
Share Your Talent
Your skills, no matter how small they may seem, can make a difference.
Are you an avid reader, or do you love children? Try tutoring at your local library. Good with numbers? Offer to help people file their taxes. Handy with tools? Reach out to Habitat for Humanity — they’ll be glad to have you on board.
Most charities run on limited budgets, so when someone volunteers their skills, the impact is immeasurable.
Start Your Own Drive
Whether it’s for school backpacks, pet supplies, canned food or toys, choose an item you would like to collect and a charity you want to focus on and formulate a plan. Use flyers, posters and social media as your tools to spread the word about your donation drive.
Starting your own drive can be rewarding but also challenging, which is why it’s a good idea to recruit some help and assign tasks to each person. Jobs include promoting the drive, overseeing the organization and drop-off process, keeping track of donations and payments and making sure your charity of choice receives the donations.
Not sure how to start? Helpful resources include betterworld.org, blog.groupraise.com and fcsserves.org.
Volunteer At Your Favorite Charity
You don’t need a special skill to make a difference. With an estimated 1.8 million charities in the United States, every single one relies on volunteers to keep going.
Organizations such as Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army and Ronald McDonald House depend on people who give their time to raise money, serve meals, collect donations and organize community events.
Opportunities are everywhere. If you’re not sure where to begin, idealist.org can connect you with organizations that fit your interests. Volunteering doesn’t just strengthen communities — it benefits you, too. Studies show that people who give their time report higher self-esteem, lower anxiety and less depression. That’s one more reason to get involved.
