The holiday season is a time for joy, gratitude, and giving. For many, it’s also a time to reflect on the needs of others in our community. Yet with the expenses of holiday shopping, travel, and gatherings, finding room in your budget to give back can feel challenging. The good news is that giving doesn’t have to mean opening your wallet wide. There are creative, meaningful ways to make a difference without straining your finances.
Here’s how you and your family can embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season while staying true to your financial goals:
1. Volunteer Your Time
One of the most impactful ways to give is by donating your time. Local nonprofits, shelters, food banks, and community organizations often need extra hands during the holidays. Whether it’s serving meals, organizing donations, or wrapping gifts for families in need, your time and energy can be as valuable as a monetary donation.
Better yet, make it a group tradition. Volunteering together — whether with family, friends, or colleagues — not only strengthens bonds but also instills a spirit of compassion and gratitude.
2. Volunteer Your Talents
Your unique skills and talents can be a wonderful gift to the community. If you’re musically inclined, consider performing holiday songs at a church, senior center, or community event. Crafty individuals can create blankets, holiday cards, or small handmade items to brighten the day of nursing home residents or hospital patients. If you’re a natural organizer, rally your neighbors for a community cleanup or a coat drive. Sharing your talents is a deeply personal way to give back, and it shows how even the smallest efforts can bring joy and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
3. Donate Gently Used Items
Many families already declutter their homes at the end of the year, so why not turn it into an opportunity to give? Encourage your kids to go through their toys and select items in good condition that they’ve outgrown. Partner with local charities, shelters, or toy drives that accept donations.
Similarly, consider hosting a garage sale or an online resale event. Donate the proceeds to a local cause or organization that resonates with your values. This approach doubles as a way to give back while tidying up your home.
4. Get Creative with Fundraising
Small fundraisers can make a big impact. A bake sale or holiday craft fair is a fun and festive way to involve the whole family. These activities can teach kids about entrepreneurship, generosity, and the importance of supporting their community.
You could also organize a neighborhood fundraiser. Host a cookie exchange or holiday movie night and ask attendees for a small donation to a local nonprofit. These gatherings are not only enjoyable but also foster a sense of community.
5. Set Up Automatic Charitable Contributions
If you’d like to give monetarily but find it hard to part with a large sum at once, consider setting up automatic charitable contributions. At Midwest BankCentre, we can help you establish a manageable monthly donation to your favorite nonprofit. Even a small amount, like $10 or $20 a month, adds up over time and helps organizations plan for their needs.
6. Request Donations in Lieu of Gifts
Another way to give back is by shifting the focus of your holiday gift exchanges. Let friends and family know that instead of giving you gifts this year, you’d prefer they make a donation to a cause you care about.
7. Bank with Midwest BankCentre
Choosing to give back can be as easy as choosing where you bank. As a values-based community bank, Midwest BankCentre ensures that $95 out of every $100 deposited with us stays in the region. These funds are reinvested as loans for local families, small businesses, and community projects that build economic stability and create opportunities for all. When you bank with Midwest BankCentre, you’re not just managing your finances, you’re making a difference in the lives of your neighbors and contributing to the vibrancy of our region.
Remember, giving doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. It’s not the size of the gesture but the heart behind it that counts. Whether it’s an hour spent volunteering, a gently used toy given to a child in need, or banking locally with us, every action contributes to a stronger, more compassionate community. To learn how Midwest BankCentre can support your charitable and financial goals, give us a call at 314.631.5500.
Originally published in the Labor Tribune on December 19th, 2024 by Wes Burns, Executive Vice President of Community and Economic Development.