No matter how little we had growing up, my family always stressed the importance of giving back in any way we could. Sometimes it meant donating money, sometimes it meant giving our time and talents, but the message was always clear: you are blessed to be a blessing.
As the winter holidays approach, that lesson feels more relevant than ever. Amid the sparkle of lights, shopping lists, and gatherings, it’s easy to get caught up in celebration and forget that for many, this season is one of hardship and loneliness. Volunteering is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to restore the heart of the holidays through connection, compassion, and community.
Why Volunteering Matters
Volunteering isn’t just about giving your time, it’s about giving your presence. When you serve meals, collect coats, or wrap gifts for families in need, you’re not only helping to meet a physical need — you’re reminding someone they are seen, valued, and not alone. That human connection inspires hope and extends far beyond the season.
Research also shows that volunteering benefits both the giver and the receiver. It reduces stress, builds empathy, and fosters gratitude. Simply put, when we give, we grow.
Ways to Give Back This Winter
You don’t need a lot of time or money to make a difference. Every act of kindness counts. Here are a few ways to get started right here in our community.
People Serving People – Meal Service & Winter Gear Collection
People Serving People is Minnesota’s largest and most comprehensive family-focused shelter. Volunteers can help serve meals, assist in donation sorting, or collect essential winter gear like coats, gloves, and scarves for guests. It’s a hands-on way to provide warmth — both physical and emotional — to those who need it most this season. Volunteer Here →
The Bond Between – Fostering Animals & Pet Food Collection
If you’re an animal lover, The Bond Between offers a heartwarming way to give back. Volunteers can foster pets awaiting adoption, help transport animals, or collect donations of pet food and supplies for the organization’s community pet pantry. It’s a powerful reminder that compassion extends beyond humans, and our four-legged friends need care and kindness too.
Volunteer Here →
Local Toy Drives
Across the Twin Cities, toy drives bring joy to children who might otherwise go without gifts this holiday season. Consider donating new toys, games, or books through your city, community center, or organizations like Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army. A simple toy can spark a moment of joy that lasts long after the wrapping paper is gone.
Give Your Time and Talents
Beyond traditional volunteering, consider how your unique skills can serve others. Offer photography for a nonprofit, organize a food drive, bake for a community event, or teach a workshop. Generosity doesn’t always come from your wallet; often, it comes from your willingness to show up and share what you have.
Check on Your Neighbors
Sometimes the most meaningful acts of service happen quietly. Shovel a driveway, drop off a warm meal, or check in on someone who may be alone this winter. The smallest gestures — a hot meal, a warm coat, a few hours of your time — can mean the world to someone else.
Keeping the Spirit All Year Long
While the holidays often inspire a surge of generosity, the truth is that the need doesn’t disappear in January. Making volunteerism a year-round habit can strengthen our communities in lasting ways. Maybe it’s mentoring a student once a month, joining a local food shelf rotation, or simply sharing kindness daily. If every person committed to one consistent act of service throughout the year, imagine the collective impact.
A Closing Thought
That eight-year-old version of me had no idea how much that day in the shelter kitchen would shape my view of the world. Volunteering taught me that giving back isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s a way of living with gratitude and purpose. So this season, as you wrap gifts and gather around tables, consider wrapping your heart around your community too. Because we are blessed to be a blessing.
Interested in getting involved or spotlighting your organization’s volunteer opportunities?
Reach out to our team at Media Bridge—we’d love to help amplify your impact.