With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s important to always be grateful and appreciative. We must remember that some of us are less fortunate and are unable to spend Thanksgiving with our families because we may be homeless, in the hospital, or alone. Aside from being grateful and giving thanks to our loved ones, let’s help those in need by letting them experience Thanksgiving with us. Let’s Step Up and give back for Thanksgiving!

One of the ways that I love to give back is by volunteering at a soup kitchen. Luckily, there’s a soup kitchen in my own city that’s only about a ten minute drive for me. I volunteer at the kitchen by delivering food, helping to cook, and by making sure that everyone is satisfied and happy. Find your local soup kitchen and volunteer! They can use all the volunteers they can get, as there will always be people who are hungry and cannot afford food.

If you are unable to volunteer at a soup kitchen because of your schedule, then donate food to the food banks, food drives, or to your local soup kitchen. They’re always accepting food donations and there are always food drives going on that could use some donations. There are always people in every city who are unable to eat because they simply don’t have enough money to pay for their food. Help them out by donating canned goods, snacks, drinks, and other things so that they are guaranteed a meal.

You could also make cards for those who are in the hospital. Spending the holidays at the hospital can be very sad, so why not try to brighten it up for the lonely patients. You can make cards for patients with cancers, injuries, or something else. By making cards, you will to cheer these patients up! Additionally, you can also donate small gifts to them. It’s no joke that hospital food isn’t the best, so try baking cupcakes for the patients(if they’re allowed to have them). Every little thing matters to the patients, so let’s make their Thanksgiving great.

These are my top three favorite ways to give back during Thanksgiving time. Of course, there are other ways to help, such as visiting a retirement home, donating to causes, or showing appreciation to our troops. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being with family, so let’s not exclude those who are unable to be with their families.