By: Anna Gedevani - 2021-2022 Marketing Intern
As the holiday season falls upon us, now is the perfect time to give back to the community. Below is a list of local organizations to support either individually or with a group!
Host a Food Packing Event for TABLE
About TABLE: Provides hunger relief and nutrition education services to children living in Orange County, North Carolina.
Following a specific menu of food items from TABLE, get together a group to pack these items into grocery bags and drop them off at TABLE when done. Ten people can prepare about 100 bags in 30 minutes, and you can pack as many bags as you’d like! Various other opportunities are available to help with, including sorting, bagging, and delivering on-site at TABLE’s location in Carrboro, as well as delivery shifts.
- Get involved here!
Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House
About Ronald McDonald House: Cares for families in the life-altering moments, days, and months that children spend in area hospitals. Offering physical comfort and emotional support through programs dedicated to the well-being of the whole family.
There are different ways to get involved as an individual or as a group. Join up as a meal team to provide a home-cooked meal for families, a great tangible way to provide comfort and care. Become a House Volunteer and help with everyday tasks like answering phones, giving tours, preparing bedrooms, or baking sweet treats.
- Get involved here!
Build with Habitat for Humanity
About Habitat for Humanity: Building homes for families in need using volunteer labor and donations of money and materials. Habitat for Humanity partners with families to create better, healthier, more financially stable lives, and to make homeownership an affordable reality.
Sign up for a build day (available on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). All skills levels are welcome, and no construction experience is necessary. Join as an individual volunteer or sign up with a group.
- Get involved here!
Host a Canned Food Drive & Donate to a Local Food Bank
Collecting canned goods is a great, easy way to give back to the community this holiday season. Make sure to check with organizations to see what types of foods they accept and if they have any special or most requested items.
Here are some local organizations that you can donate to:
- Carolina Cupboard: On-campus food pantry (located at Avery Residence Hall) working to provide food assistance to individuals in need of the UNC community.
- PORCH: Provides programs to distribute fresh and non-perishable food to families, pantries, and schools.
- IFC – Community Market (Food Pantry): Provides about 1,300 bags of groceries to those households in need located in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area.
Help serve at Durham Rescue Mission’s 47th Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner
About Durham Rescue Mission: NC’s oldest and largest long-term homeless shelter, providing food, clothing, permanent supportive housing, job placement, education, accountability, and much more to men, women, and children in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh.
Help serve those in need to receive a free hot meal, clothing, and groceries. A great way to help the community come together and think about all we are thankful for.
- Get involved here!
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Let’s appreciate all we have to be thankful for and be sure to find time to give back to the community