Helping Hand – 5 Ways You Can Help Families In Need During The Pandemic

2020 has been one of the most difficult years for families across the globe. GDPs are receding dramatically, and many households are seeing breadwinners retrenched or temporarily taking salary cuts. It’s devastating, and there’s no easy fix for this situation. However, you can help those in need without compromising your own well-being. If you’re unsure of where to start, we have some creative ideas:

1. Essential Houseware

Housewares such as bedding, clothing (especially in homes with growing children), and kitchenware are often some of the least donated but most-needed items. Families generally make do without, but it is easy to buy cookware sets online, along with other household goods to donate. Just be sure to ask first and ascertain what a household might need before you commit to any purchases.

2. Spare Cash? Set A Budget And Outsource Some Chores

If you find that you are in the position to help those less fortunate than yourself, decide what you can afford to pay towards this charitable action. You could simply donate the money, but you can also choose to employ someone instead – this is a preferred strategy for many people on the receiving end of charity as it gives them an opportunity to earn their assistance and maintain their sense of dignity. You could offer to pay someone to fetch your children from school, go to the store and collect your groceries, or find other tasks that will alleviate your stress.

3. Donating Food? Make These Gorgeous Soup Jars

There are beautiful and creative ways to help families in need with food donations. Soup jars have become popular because they’re easy to fill and distribute, and they can contain an enormous amount of nutrition that can really stretch in terms of quantity.

Take any empty glass jars you have and fill them with layers of pulses and grains, including barley, red lentils, brown lentil, split peas, bulgar wheat, and even brown rice. You require only about a cupful of dried ingredients, salt, and a few spices to create a steaming pot of soup.

4. Be An Emotional Support

Sometimes, the best way to support a family is to help them free up more time. This can help them get to job interviews, spend time earning a side income, or source new opportunities. You might offer to babysit, drive them to interviews, or simply listen when they need to vent their frustrations. An emotional support person can help keep people motivated to strive for new goals.

5. Create A “Jobs Group” And Post Jobs You Come Across

With so many people in need of new career opportunities, creating a local employment group can be helpful. The more people join the group, the more contributors there are. Members of the group can post any links they come across or post an image of a job advert. This allows people to share any opportunities they aren’t a good fit for, thus helping others who are suitable for the job but missed the initial advertisement.

Choose Your Favorite Way To Help

These ideas are out-of-the-box strategies that take you beyond donating cash to charities or sponsoring a family. The trick to true generosity is to offer it within parameters that you are able to afford. If you don’t have spare money at the moment, volunteer your time. If you’re busy and you have some spare money, offer to pay someone who is down-and-out to help you tackle your to-do list. Find a way to help yourself while you’re assisting others, and the rewards for everyone will multiply.