In case you missed 20 emails asking for donations, today is giving Tuesday.

Don’t limit your spirit of giving be limited to today, but let this time of year as we bask in the holiday spirit serve as a reminder to give back to those less fortunate. We compiled at below of ways to give back this season.

6 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season

1. Serve A Meal

Take a few hours out of your day to head over to a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter looking for a helpful hand to volunteer your time. Make it a family affair! A few locations to check out around Philly include:

• Bethesda Project
• Coalition Against Hunger

2. Shop at a Thrift Store

When doing your holiday shopping this year, stop at a thrift store for unique itemsand greatly benefiting people in the shelters near you!. There are several thrift stores in the area that give part of their proceeds to local shelters to help keep the organization running. A few thrift stores to check out around Philly include:

• Opportunity House Thrift Store
• BeeHive Thrift Store
• Sunday Breakfast Thrift Store
• Philly Aids Thrift

3. Donate

Donating is one of the easiest ways you can give back. You can do a closet cleanout and donate your old clothing to a thrift store (including the ones listed above), give away your gently used mattress to the Purple Heart, provide backpacks and school supplies to the Philadelphia Cradles to Crayons, or provide a few extra dollars to the local Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell outside of a convenience store.

• Purple Heart
• Cradles to Crayons
• Salvation Army

4. Participate in a Food Drive

Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up a few extra non-perishable items to donate to a local food drive. One of the biggest food drives in Philadelphia is now through Friday by morning radio show hosts, The Preston and Steve Campout for Hunger partner with Philabundance each year to hold this annual food drive that provides several tons of food to those in need. This five-day event taking place at Xfinity Live is family friendly and fun for everyone! If you can’t make it to this event, there are various other food pantries around the city that you can donate to as well (third link below) or check offices for for food drives. Or, you can always host your own food drive! See the links below for more info:

• Camp Out for Hunger
• Philabundance 
• Coalition Against Hunger

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters

Change a child’s life this holiday season by becoming a mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a touching non-profit organization dedicated to pairing adults with at-risk youth looking for some guidance. Just a few hours of your time a week can make an immensely positive impact on the little brothers and sisters involved in the organization.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

6. Protect the Animals

Don’t forget about our furry friends! Channel your holiday energy into volunteering at a local animal shelter, donating, or become an animal foster parent. Also, now that the temperature has dropped here, keep an eye out for stray cats/dogs since they like to hide in under cars or on top of tires. If you see this repeatedly happening, call your local animal shelter for assistance. For more information about how to help these precious animals:

• Philadelphia PAWS
• SPCA
• ACCT

Remember, the holidays are all about love, giving, and support. Regardless of how, there are countless ways to your community in the spirit of the holidays!

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Lindsey Czajkowski works as a Design Coordinator at the Free People home office. Her interest in fashion influenced her move to Philadelphia, but the delicious food scene, diversity, and opportunity within Philly is what made Lindsey immerse herself in the city. You’re likely to find Lindsey at work in the Navy Yard in South Philly, out to eat around Northern Liberties, or shopping in Center City or in a park trying to pet a strangers dog. View all posts by Lindsey Czajkowski