5 Easy Ways to Give Back to Your Community

Being from south Louisiana, I’ve witnessed the power of giving back on many occasions.  One of the most memorable events that always comes to mind is Hurricane Katrina.  If it weren’t for the generosity of others during one of the hardest times my home state had faced, we wouldn’t be where we are today- stable and stronger than ever.  Seeing the community come together through one of the toughest times is one tremendous event to witness and be part of.  I believe we should always be willing to give back though, even when it’s not an emergency time of need.  Even small gestures can make a big impact, so I’m sharing a few ways you can give back to your community, regardless of the resources you may or may not have at hand.
1. Shop small

One way to give back to your community is by shopping small.  Since grocery shopping, and just shopping in general, is something well all do anyway, shopping small and local is something that can easily be done.  For example, the next time you head out to buy produce, give your local farmer’s market a visit first.  Purchasing from a farmer’s market will help out local families in your community as opposed to a billion dollar corporation.

2. Lend a hand

If being a handyman is your thing, consider lending a helping hand during your free time.  You can reach out to an elderly neighbor that may need minor home repairs, a local church that could use some work.

3. Donate to a foodbank

The next time you come across a good sale, consider grabbing a few extra non perishable food items to drop off at your local food bank.  These can be found through many churches, schools, and town halls around your community.

4. Host an event

If you happen to own a business, a great way to give back to your community is by hosting an event. This could be anything from a mini auction benefiting a local family in need to donating a portion of your sales to a charity.

5.  Volunteer

Just about every community has endless ways you can volunteer and give back.  Check with local schools, churches, hospitals, and nursing homes, as these are places that could always use volunteers for a variety of projects.
While there are many ways to give back to your community, I wanted to share a few common ideas that most people can be a part of.  If you’re interested in giving back to your community, check out Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company’s latest campaign, Band Together.  Jewelers Mutual is planning to donate $2 million to support three causes: home, health, and hunger.  This campaign will be benefitting non-profits such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding America, and Food Banks Canada, but they need your help!

Band together (see what I did there!?) with Jewelers Mutual to help decide how they will disperse their record breaking donation by voting for your choice of causes from 7/11/16 at 11am CT through 7/31/16 at 11pm CT.  The cause with the most votes will receive a $1 million donation, the runner up will receive $700,000, and the third place winner will receive $300,000!  By voting throughout the campaign, you’ll have a chance to win weekly jewelry prizes from STACKED New York! One lucky winner will receive a set of 3 stacking bands ($450 value) each week, so be sure to vote daily to increase your chances of winning!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.