The Family Quilt

I love this idea! This article explains how you can host a cookie decorating party and donate the cookies to a shelter or other community organization. You can download a helpful guide on this page. If you’re not sure what ingredients to assemble, you can buy a kit with the essentials here.

November 12-19 is national collection week for Operation Christmas Child. It’s not too late to pack a shoebox; find your nearest drop-off location here.

Samaritan’s Purse also has a catalog of alternative gift giving ideas. Kids can give hot meals, blankets, story books, and other items to needy children all over the world.

In her article Learn by helping to feed the needy, homeschooling Mom Kate Tsubata describes how she and her family combine learning with service to others.

When your kids start saying, “Mom, I’m bored!” this summer, talk about how you can serve your community as a family. What are their hobbies, and how could they use them to serve others? Here are a few ideas to consider.

• Visit a retirement home. Help the residents make a craft, read to them, sing for them, play an instrument, play a game, or just sit and chat with them. Contact the nursing home’s activity director or another staff member to ask what other activities you could help with and whether it’s OK to bring craft items or baked goods with you.

• Make cookies or a care package for an elderly neighbor who lives alone, or invite him or her over for dinner.

• Grab some trash bags and gloves and clean up a park, vacant lot, or nature area.

• Contact your local food bank and find out if they need help sorting food, packing boxes, or distributing food.

• Sign up with Meals on Wheels.

• Make simple care packages containing soap, a toothbrush, and other items and hand them out to homeless people.

• Volunteer at a soup kitchen. If there are age restrictions for working in the kitchen, see if the kids can help in the dining area by serving drinks or helping clear tables.

What projects do you like to do as a family? Please share your other ideas in the comments!

America’s Second Harvest is hosting National Hunger Awareness Day on Tuesday, June 5. Check the directory of events to find out what individuals and domestic hunger-relief organizations are doing to address hunger in your community. You and your family can find out about volunteer opportunities available, go on tours of area food banks, donate to food drives, and participate in various other events.