The holiday season is nearly upon us, and there are many individuals and organizations that need your help. Finding ways to give back to the community, the world, and your employees should be a priority during the holidays. Here we take a look at five ways to give back.

Give To Charity

Making charitable contributions is perhaps the most obvious way to give back during the holidays. There are a plethora of organizations that can benefit from your gift. Pick a charity that is near and dear to your heart and give what you can. If you’re an employer, you may consider asking your employees to donate and then match their gift to increase your donation. And don’t forget, this is also a tax write-off.

Volunteer

Volunteering at a local food bank or with any number of community outreach programs provides these organizations with one of the most valuable assets you can give, your time. You may even consider finding a way to help local schools as they are always in need. This is another opportunity where you can involve your employees and make it a group effort. Volunteering helps communities, causes, and the reputation of your business.

Host A Free Dinner

If you’re in the food industry, you may consider hosting a free holiday dinner for needy families and the homeless. These types of events can bring about a great sense of community while helping your fellow human beings. Treat it as a family dinner, and be sure everyone gets more than they need to eat. You can even organize it to give out to-go meals for those who don’t want to sit in on the dinner.

Collect Donations

Setting up collection bins at your establishment for non-perishable food, toys, and other household items can significantly enhance your donation efforts and draw attention to the causes you are supporting. You can even take cash donations and offer to match your customer’s contribution. There are several organizations, including Metropolitan Ministries and Toys for Tots, that you can speak with about becoming a collection site.

Bonus Your Employees

It is important to remember that your employees are people too and will celebrate the holidays like the rest of us. This has been a very trying two years, and a bonus of some kind could make a world of difference for your employees and their families. This may come in the form of a cash bonus, some additional paid time off, or both. Letting people know you appreciate them is what the holidays are all about.

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