Lending a Helping Hand This Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are excited for time with our loved ones, warm comfort meals, festivities, and gifts. However, the holidays can also be a stressful and difficult time for many families who are experiencing food insecurity and/or financial instability. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s report, approximately 13.5% (or 18 million individuals) experienced food insecurity at some point in 2023, which is an increase from the year before. With so many people in the U.S. struggling with food insecurity, the holidays are a particularly stressful time with a lot of pressure on families to provide. Furthermore, there is also a tremendous amount of pressure on caregivers to provide Christmas gifts for children. 

The holiday season brings unique stressors for families and individuals struggling with food insecurity and financial pressures. The increased expenses from heating bills, the holidays, and unpredictable work schedules can exacerbate food shortages, and many turn to food banks and community kitchens for support. However, the increase in demand during the holidays can create a strain on food assistance programs. Therefore, one of the ways that you can lend a helping hand this holiday season is to provide additional support to your community’s food pantry, food banks/drives, and food assistance programs. In addition, to help families struggling with the financial burden of providing gifts this holiday season, there are toy drives available.

How You Can Help

There are many ways to make a difference for those in need during the holiday season:

1. Donate to Food Banks: Food banks and pantries are essential for supplying food to those who need it. Donating non-perishable items like canned goods, pasta, and rice is always helpful. You can also donate holiday-related foods to help families celebrate with special meals.
2. Volunteer Your Time: Many organizations see a surge in demand for food during the holidays and need extra hands. Volunteering at food banks, shelters, and soup kitchens is a direct way to help your community.
3. Contribute Financially: Cash donations to local food banks or even national hunger-relief organizations allow these organizations to purchase food in bulk at discounted rates. This can have an even greater impact than donating individual food items. 
4. Participate in a Food/Toy Drive: There are often lots of different opportunities to participate in food drives (through school, work, etc.). In addition, NC State runs an annual holiday Toys For Tots drive, which collects toys for children in the local community for parents who may not be able to purchase gifts. 
5. Advocate and Spread Awareness: Educate others about food insecurity and advocate for policies that support food assistance programs. Spreading awareness on social media about food/toy drives or specific community partners who help tackle these issues. 

Resources & Volunteer Opportunities in Raleigh/Wake County

• Food Pantries/Food Assistance 
  • Food Bank Central & Eastern NC
  • Wake Relief
  • Urban Ministries of Wake County
  • Catholic Parish Outreach Food Pantry
  • Food Pantries in Wake County 
  • Inter-Faith Food Shuttle/Meals on Wheels of Wake County
  • NC State Feed the Pack 
  • Feeding the Carolinas
  • Food Resources From Wake County Government
• Toy Drives
  • Toys For Tots
    • NC State’s Toys For Tots 
  • Holiday Toy Donations (WakeMed)
  • Raleigh Dream Center
  • Raleigh Water Toy Drive

A Time for Community and Compassion

This holiday season, a small contribution of time, food, or resources can make a big difference for a family in need! By supporting your local organizations through volunteering, participating in drives, and donating, you help create a more compassionate, connected community. Every act of kindness helps ensure that more families can create positive memories during the holidays.