20 ways to volunteer and give back during the holiday season

If you've got a little extra cash during the holiday season, consider using it to brighten the season for a family in need. Check with local charities in your area, like women's shelters and children's hospitals, for opportunities to buy gifts for children whose parents need a little help making the holiday magic happen this year. 

Food banks keep millions of vulnerable people fed in the United States every single year, and they could certainly use your help. Use the Feeding America website to find a food bank in your area, and sign the whole family up for a volunteer shift to find out how you can help. 

The holiday season is busy for everyone, and schools are no exception. Check-in with your child's teacher or parent-teacher organization for volunteer opportunities that fit in with your schedule. From helping with class parties to participating in after-school programs, there's plenty of work to go around. 

Grab the kids, a bunch of fun craft supplies, and spend an afternoon this season making holiday cards for nursing home residents in your area. You can drop off the cards in person or send them via mail to help spread a little holiday cheer. 

If you've got a closet full of sweaters and coats that just don't fit you anymore, round them up and donate to your local nonprofit. Blankets and other warm clothing, like scarves and gloves, are also in demand this time of year as the temperature drops. 

Create a bigger impact by getting your neighbors involved in charitable giving. Consider a neighborhood food drive and stock up on staples like peanut butter and canned proteins, or host a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to your local soup kitchen or food bank. 

Established by the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1947, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys for children in need during the holiday season. You can donate cash via the Toys for Tots website or find a local drive to donate new toys in person. 

When you're doing your holiday shopping this season, look out for companies that use a portion of their profits to give back. Consider stuffing stockings with socks from Bombas, a company that donates a pair of socks for each pair purchased, or wine from OneHope, which raises cash for a variety of causes via bottles of vino. 

Cold weather makes the holiday season tough for unhoused people, and stocking your car with small goody bags full of supplies can be a great help. Consider filling a quart-sized zip bag with snacks, lip balm, bottled water, and hand sanitizer and hand them out when you see someone who's in need. 

Most shelters across the country accept donations of blankets in good, clean condition, and it's a great way to clean out the closet while also making an impact on people in need. 

Volunteering during the holiday season is a great activity for the family, and many local soup kitchens accept volunteers who can help prep and serve meals. Set aside a day for the whole family to go, and consider making it a holiday tradition for years to come. 

If you're feeling crafty, grab your markers and paper and draw holiday cards for hospitalized children this holiday season. Chicago-based organization Cards for Hospitalized Kids distributes fun, encouraging cards to kids all across the country all year round, which means that this is the kind of activity that you can also do in the new year. 

Whether you're looking to help build a home or work the cash register at Habitat for Humanity's resale shops, this charity offers a slew of ways to get involved. 

If you've got a neighbor or friend of the family that seems a little lonely during the holidays, make a point to spend a little extra time with them. Make their favorite meal and invite them over for dinner, or head over with some warm hot chocolate to help spread a little holiday cheer. 

There are so many nonprofit organizations across the world making an impact in people's lives, and they need money to make that happen. Consider setting aside a portion of your holiday budget to donate to your favorite charities, whether you're looking to donate to domestic organizations like the American Red Cross or groups like Doctors Without Borders. 

If your kids are like most, they have more toys than they can possibly play with. Explain to your little ones that you'd like to donate some of their unused toys to kids in need, and have them pick some of their items to pass on to others who will enjoy them. 

Starting with the ubiquitous Turkey Trot, the holiday season is packed with tons of 5K races that are raising money for charities of all kinds. Strap on your running shoes and raise some cash while working on your fitness. 

Many charities, including the American Red Cross and Make-A-Wish Foundation, allow frequent flyers to donate unused airline miles. If you've got some extra that you don't plan to use, donate yours to folks in need. 

Many of us get new pets during the holiday season, but this is one of those situations where you should definitely adopt, not shop. Visit your local animal shelter or connect with a nearby rescue to find the perfect pup for your home. 

If you've got some people on your list who are impossible to buy for, consider donating to a charity they support in their name. It's always a thoughtful gift and will go much further than just buying them another pair of socks.