Six Specific Ways You Can Give Back This Holiday Season

By: Rebekah Harcrow

2020 is quickly coming to a close (thank God), but there is still time to spread some Christmas cheer by giving back this holiday season. While monetary donations are often the most efficient way to give, if you’re anything like me, you prefer giving in palpable ways where you can see for yourself the good that’s being done. Here are six of my favorite ways to give back this season (locally and otherwise) that will leave you feeling like you’ve genuinely made a difference. 

Portland Area:

1. Purchase a Kuranda bed to donate to Portland animal shelters.

Kuranda animal beds are an incredibly important staple for many local animal shelters.  These beds are ultra-durable and high-quality, providing not only top-of-the-line comfort, but can withstand the wear and tear of anxious behaviors (scratching, clawing, biting, etc.).  Kuranda beds are also very easy to clean, which helps protect the animals from spreading and contracting illnesses. Many shelters are currently in need of these beds, which can be purchased to donate via the Kuranda website’s “Donate” tab or through the local shelters themselves, such as Fur Love Haven or the Oregon Humane Society in Portland.

2. Purchase wine from the Oregon Zoo Foundation Wine Club.

Planning on getting lit at home this holiday season? Consider purchasing high-quality Oregon wine via the Oregon Zoo Foundation Wine Club. Wine lovers can either join one of the foundation’s five wine clubs or purchase wine a-la-cart-- with 25%+ of profits going directly to the Oregon Zoo Foundation. Past and current participating wineries include Willamette Valley Vineyards, Apolloni Vineyards, Goodfellow Family Cellars, and more.

3. Volunteer at the Portland Rescue Mission or donate needed items.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the homeless community in Portland has grown significantly and has become among the most vulnerable population to the virus. The Portland Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization located in downtown Portland that provides recovery programs to homeless individuals, guiding them step-by-step towards independence and healing. The PRM is always in need of volunteers, especially in regards to serving meals. You can apply to become a volunteer here, or email volunteer@pdxmission.org. The PRM is also in desperate need of items for the winter season, including socks, gloves, and winter coats. For a full list of currently needed items, click here. Items can be dropped off daily at the Burnside Shelter, or by appointment at the Shepherd's Door women’s and children’s shelter.

Other:

1. Give holiday gifts that give back to charity.

What’s better than giving the perfect gift to your loved one this holiday season? Giving a gift that actually gives back! There are many companies out there who sell great, affordable gifts while giving back to various charities. Here are just a couple: 

•  Generous Coffee is a non-profit organization that helps provide jobs and resources to the people of various villages in Honduras. 100% of profits goes towards assisting the incredible men, women, and children of Honduras. Not to mention, their coffee is amazing (I’ve actually tried it). You can purchase authentic Honduran coffee and espresso here. Bonus: you can also purchase apparel and other gifts from their website as well.  
•  Sackcloth and Ashes is an organization based out of Salem, OR and creates authentic, unique blankets your friends and families will fall in love with. These blankets are not only made out of 100% recycled material, but with each blanket purchased, one blanket is also donated to a local homeless shelter. You can browse and purchase these awe-inspiring blankets here. 

2. Give a generous tip to your server or delivery driver.

When I was a server several years ago, I essentially lived off of my tips. Some months, I even used my tips to go towards my rent or other bills. With so many lost jobs and cut hours this year, the tips you give may be someone’s highest source of income. So, the next time you dine in (if you’re lucky enough to live in a city that has that option right now), or order DoorDash to your apartment, consider giving the gift of a generous tip. You don’t have to get crazy and give $500+ like you tend to see in local news articles; even a $20 tip can become a week’s worth of gas or a few days of groceries to someone. 

3. Purchase Christmas dinner from a local restaurant instead of cooking.

Even if you aren’t planning on having a huge family dinner like usual this Christmas, you can still keep the Christmas spirit alive and celebrate with a delicious turkey (or vegetarian) meal. However, instead of purchasing items at the supermarket and doing the cooking yourself, consider purchasing a ready-to-go takeout dinner from a local restaurant. Local businesses need us now more than ever to stay afloat amid the pandemic.  Denny’s, Macaroni Grill, and Boston Market are all typically open on Christmas Day and serve special holiday meals.