By Sabrina Girardi
Through times of cheer and reunion with loved ones, the warmth of the season can be great motivation to give back. Whether that is donating your time, money, or resources, giving back to the community can make a huge impact during the colder holiday season. But, as college students on a budget, what are ways to give back without spending a dime? Below is a list of ways to give back over this holiday season.
Make this a Happy Howliday
Are you interested in hanging out with furry friends and making some tails wag? Over this holiday season, there is a heavy need for volunteers at local animal shelters. With the colder weather creeping in, more unhoused animals end up in shelters. Volunteering at a shelter could offer you flexibility surrounding busy holiday scheduling and get you in some cuddle time! There are several East Lansing shelters, including Happy Feet Pet Rescue, Capital Area Humane Society and the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter.
Approach Food Banks with a Can-do Attitude
Another opportunity to give back to the community is by volunteering at food banks. Not only does volunteering at a food bank help support those experiencing food insecurity, but also fosters community-building. The Greater Lansing Food Bank offers volunteer opportunities over the holiday season, where they locally distribute prepped meals as well as canned food for the local Lansing residents.
Ho-Ho-Ho-Postive
A free, life-saving way to contribute back to the community is by donating blood. There is a never-ending need for blood donations, no matter what time of year! Around campus, companies like American Red Cross and Versiti host frequent blood drives for the purpose of uniting MSU students to one life saving activity. Outside of campus, the American Red Cross has a Lansing Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center where you can schedule an appointment on your time.
Warm the Shelves of Donation Centers
Are you cleaning out closets in search of ways to make room for new presents? Instead of throwing away winter coats and jeans, why not donate clothes to charities and hospitals, preventing the overfill of landfills, warming hearts instead? There are several donation centers in the greater Lansing area, which includes Goodwill Donation Center and Lansing Red Cross that take most items in a general donation collecting method. In greater Lansing, there is also the Women’s Center which is always accepting donations for warm clothes for women.
Taking time to volunteer in the Lansing community, or the community you are local to in the holiday season, will change the lives of those around you and help others in the process. Even if it is just a couple hours, your service can help support the community’s mission to positively impact the lives of others, all without spending a dime.