Thanksgiving is a time we come together and give thanks for everything we have – including this great city we live in.
Gratitude isn’t just a word, though. How do we put those feelings of compassion into action?
Here are four ways you can help others during – and after – this holiday season.
Be sure to post your message of hope on social media using #GiveThanksPHL. We’d love to share what you’re doing to foster an attitude of gratitude this season.
1. Support the Right Books Campaign benefiting the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia.
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but do you know about Giving Tuesday? On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it’s a global day of giving that kicks off the compassionate season and encourages people to use digital tools to spread good cheer – and donate to worthy causes.
Mayor Kenney has picked the Right Books Campaign as his designated charity on #GivingTuesday this year and encourages all Philadelphians to support this effort.
The Right Books Campaign supports providing books “that fit students’ reading levels and learning styles” in Philadelphia public schools. “It takes expertise to curate the collection of carefully selected books and resources for every K-3 District classroom that can match up to 26 different reading levels while supporting up to four different learning styles,” explains The Fund for the Philadelphia School District, a nonprofit connecting the private sector with the Philadelphia public education system. Right Books is part of a citywide effort to ensure students are reading at or above grade level by the fourth grade.
You can support the Right Books Campaign, and learn more about The Fund’s good work, here.
2. Connect with volunteer service opportunities through SERVE Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is a city of communities and neighborhoods. For many of us, our families and our neighbors are one and the same. SERVE Philadelphia connects local residents to service opportunities across the city – and sometimes right on their block! Opportunities range, from volunteering to teach children art to assisting with neighborhood park cleanups. SERVE Philadelphia offers assistance for groups or businesses looking to participate in a day of service, too.
3. Support After School Activities Partnership in Philadelphia.
An investment in our youth is an investment in the future. Here in Philadelphia, After School Activities Partnership (ASAP) provides high quality after school activities and resources to empower our youth. The organization is always looking for volunteers to lead or assist in leading recreational activities such as chess, debate, scrabble, or drama. In fact, ASAP’s Chess program is one of the largest scholastic chess programs in the country serving more than 2,500 young people in over 180 clubs across Philadelphia! Get involved.
4. Fight food scarcity and support local hunger organizations.
We represent Thanksgiving with symbols of food and bounty, but the fact is that hunger is a serious problem facing people both here in Philadelphia and across the nation. A 2014 study from nonprofit Feeding America found that 1 in 7 Americans access food assistance programs every year. Locally, Philabundance serves as the area’s largest hunger relief organization serving 90,000 people in and around Philadelphia each week. You can support Philabundance a variety of ways, including through holding food drives, volunteering, or making a monetary donation. In addition to Philabundance, MANNA provides and delivers nutritious, medically appropriate meals to our neighbors living with life-threatening illnesses. You can support MANNA through volunteerism or donating.