How to Give Back in Boston During the 2020 Holiday Season [11/27/20]

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths reach record or near-record levels in the US—and the economic recovery slows—'tis the season to give back to those in need. Here are 48 ways to give back in Boston during the coronavirus pandemic and 2020 holiday season.

● Donate a holiday meal for just $25 through Greater Boston Food Bank
Info: Greater Boston Food Bank’s Hunger Free Holidays campaign raises awareness and funds during the holiday season for the 1 in 8 who is food insecure. A $25 donation will provide a healthy holiday meal for a family in need.

● Make a contribution to Rosie’s Place, the first women's shelter in the US
Info: Rosie’s Place offers a safe haven and overnight shelter for women in need, along with other services to those who self-identify as female. On Friday, December 18th, WBUR CitySpace will present a reading of 'A Christmas Carol’ to benefit Rosie's Place. Tickets here.

● Help bring the joy of the holiday season to less-fortunate children with Toys for Tots
Info: Drop off toys at participating local locations by December 15th and your donation will be distributed to children who need them the most. Learn more about Toys for Tots here.

● Make a contribution to Pine Street Inn
Info: Pine Street Inn provides housing, shelter, job training, and outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness. Your gift provides critical funding to support vulnerable men and women in taking the steps they need to rebuild their lives.

● Donate a winter coat to local families in need with Coats for Kids
Info: Make a monetary contribution or donate warm, gently-used winter coats now through January 10, 2021 at any Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, or Jordan’s Furniture location.

● Spread the cheer by volunteering with Somerville Homeless Coalition, the city's first emergency shelter for homeless adults
Info: Somerville Homeless Coalition is looking for volunteers this holiday season to help with delivering Christmas trees, unloading food truck deliveries, cooking a meal for families in need, and more. You can also donate clothing, toiletries, food, and/or money.

● Help Elizabeth Peabody House continue to enrich their community by donating as part of Giving Tuesday
Info: Elizabeth Peabody House is a non-profit community organization supporting children and families based in Somerville's historic Winter Hill neighborhood.

● Make a contribution to Lovin’ Spoonfuls, the largest food rescue agency in New England
Info: The need is greater than ever. Every $1 donated enables Lovin’ Spoonfuls to rescue 3 lbs of food – enough to feed a person for a day.

● Donate to La Collaborativa’s Whatever It Takes campaign
Info: The City of Chelsea has the highest incidence rate of COVID-19 cases in all of Massachusetts. La Colaborativa is feeding families, supporting residents facing eviction, and disseminating critical information about COVID-19.

● Support the American Red Cross
Info: The American Red Cross Massachusetts Region serves 6.6 million residents of the 351 cities and towns of Massachusetts. You can help by donating blood, volunteering, and/or giving a monetary contribution.

● Help Globe Santa bring books and toys to children in need
Info: All donations go directly to support Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation to help deliver joy to children & families in the community during the holiday season.

● Make a contribution to Haley House, a nonprofit organization based in Boston's South End and Roxbury neighborhoods
Info: Haley House is dedicated to helping those made vulnerable by the harshest effects of inequality move toward wholeness and economic independence. You can donate your time (apply to volunteer here), needed in-kind items, and/or money.

● Support Project Bread’s COVID-19 Holiday Hunger Relief program
Info: 1 in 5 families will worry about feeding their kids this holiday season. Make a donation or start a holiday fundraiser so no one goes hungry.

● Help Community Servings provide medically tailored, nutritious meals to critically ill individuals and their families
Info: Volunteer with Community Servings’ culinary team in the kitchen, donate food, and/or make a monetary donation.

● Join Women’s Lunch Place for Seven Days of Giving
Info: Women’s Lunch Place (WLP) has launched the Seven Days of Giving campaign to raise funds, meals, winter clothing, and more for the approximately 1,500 women they serve each year. WLP's holiday cards are also available to order.

● Make sure every child has a coat this winter by supporting Cradles to Crayons
Info: From now through March 2021, Cradles to Crayons and NBC’s "Bundle Up New England" program is collecting new or gently-used coats for children in need. Monetary donations are also welcome. Every $33 donated helps one child in need.

● Donate food or money to one (or more) of many community fridges around Boston
Info: Did you know there are community-run fridges around Boston that operate on the “take what you need, leave what you can” basis? Donate food or money to your local fridge to help feed those in need this holiday season and beyond.

● Support On The Rise as they continue to connect and help women in need each day
Info: On The Rise creates a community where women have relationships, safety, and resources they need to move out of homelessness. Your donation of time (view the volunteer program here), money, gift cards, and/or in-kind items will help On The Rise continue to provide safety, community, and advocacy for homeless and formerly homeless women.

● Donate a grocery store gift card via @BostonTweet’s “Heart to Cart”
Info: Your donation helps Heart to Cart purchase supermarket gift cards for people who are struggling to put food on their table, most especially immigrant and BIPOC families in Greater Boston.

● Send socks, food items, or other supplies to any local shelter via Warm the City
Info: Warm the City provides a simple way for you to select and donate to a shelter in need without ever having to leave your house. Warm The City directs you to the shelter of your choice’s Amazon wish list and your donated supplies will be shipped directly to the shelter.

Other ways to give back this holiday season:

> COMMUNITY

● Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
● Arlington EATS
● Boston Area Gleaners
● Boston Children Hospital
● Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee
● Cambridge Neighbors
● Cambridge Women's Center
● Christmas in the City
● Family Aid Boston
● Find a local food bank
● Find a local shelter
● First Congregational Church of Revere Food Pantry
● Food for Free
● Friends of Boston’s Homeless
● Jimmy Fund
● Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
● Neighbors in Need
● New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV)
● Room to Grow
● Second Chances
● St. Francis House
● Watertown Food Pantry

> ANIMALS

● Animal Rescue League of Boston
● Guiding Eyes for the Blind
● MSPCA–Angell
● Zoodoption

> BUY TO GIVE BACK

● Purchase a pair of YORK Athletics x Aly Raisman footwear, another pair will be donated to Heading Home
● 5% of every order of Gordons Wine x Bakers' Best Catering's festive 3-course meals will go to Greater Boston Food Bank

How to Give Back in Boston During the 2020 Holiday Season

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