Today is Giving Tuesday. Never heard of it before? It’s new to us too, but is the perfect day to give back to our community. According to the official Giving Tuesday Headquarters, “GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to come together through generosity in all its forms by sharing acts of kindness and giving their voice, time, money, goods, and advocacy to support communities and causes.” We know the power of the community here in Lansing and your ability to make change. This Giving Tuesday we are bringing you four places to give back to right here in our community. Read on to find out where you can give back to Lansing on Giving Tuesday.
Child and Family Charities
Child and Family Charities is located in Lansing. Their mission is, “To strengthen and support children, families, and individuals as they evolve and grow in a changing community.” Child and Family Charities give back to the community in a variety of ways ranging from trauma informed care, to juvenile services, to help for teen mothers and more. You can make a general donation here, apply to foster here, or consider donating to Hope for the Holidays. Hope for the Holidays works to provide gifts to the over 1500 children living in foster care through Child and Family Charities. Find out more about Hope for the Holidays here, including information on how to donate, wish lists and more.
St. Vincent Catholic Charities
St. Vincent Catholic Charities in Lansing is holding their annual, Holiday Giving Campaign. Each year they give back to the clients in their service and the Lansing area. With the ongoing pandemic all events are virtual this year but there is plenty of opportunity to give back and it is easier than ever. You can adopt an individual family by heading here and locating the button that says, “Adopt the wishlist of a client in need.” You may also shop off of their virtual lists for Walmart and Amazon by clicking here. If you are shopping off of these lists they will be delivered directly to St. Vincent Catholic Charities. Other things to know, they do not need general toy donations this year but appreciate gift cards from Meijer, Walmart and more. You can head here for all the details on how to drop off, how to sponsor a client and more.
Meridian Cares Holiday Programs
The Meridian Cares Team has provided several options to give back in Meridian Township this year. They are offering a Holiday Giving Tree. The tree is virtual this year due to the ongoing pandemic but you can find the list here and drop off all items at 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos. Holiday Food Baskets are another option being given by the township. They are asking for financial donations in order to assemble baskets, head here for more information on how to donate. Meridian Cares has also teamed up with the Green Meridian Team in order to collect new or gently-used winter coats. They can be dropped off at the Municipal Building through the end of the December. One last way to give back in Meridian Township this year is through the Meridian Cares Emergency Needs Fund. Through this fund the township provides a variety of resources like aiding in bill payment after shut off notices, emergency transportation services, and more. For all the details on how to give back to Meridian Cares this season head here.
Haven House
Haven House, located in East Lansing, “mission is to guide and support families who face homelessness on their paths to stable homes.” This holiday season they are asking for donations to help make the holidays just a little bit more special for homeless families in the Lansing area. They are asking for donations which will be used to, “give a gift of hope to homeless families this holiday season.”
