Although our hearts are in the right place, sometimes our budgets are somewhere else altogether. There are ways to give back, all throughout the year, without wreaking havoc with our carefully planned budgets.
Help your community shelters, food pantries, schools, and military personnel.
Clear out your “clutter” for a cause: You’ve redecorated your bathroom so your towels no longer match. Your children have outgrown the toys they just “had to have,” but only played with them a few times. You’ve dieted and exercised with a passion and now your clothes don’t fit. Donate your “clutter” to those who will continue to enjoy these items.
Use those coupons: Online sites and newspapers are full of coupons for everything from shampoo to dog food. Some encourage you to buy one item and get the second for free. Contribute your free items. Even if your family doesn’t use a particular item, buy it anyway using the coupon. Start a basket for all these items, or give the actual coupons to a local food pantry or animal shelter so volunteers can shop for items they need.
Donate your freebies: If you have free/sample toiletries and make-up, contribute those to homeless shelters.
Volunteer your time.
You turn out a great meal, you sew like a professional, you love to read, you enjoy gardening, you’re an animal lover. Put those hobbies to work on a volunteer basis by providing meals to a neighbor who is ill, making the costumes for the grade school holiday play, reading to the sight-impaired, sharing your garden produce with a food pantry, or volunteering at your local animal shelter. You can also gather as a family and serve a meal to those who may be alone during the holidays. Check out our Difference Maker Fund for ways to help.
And don’t forget… you have 24-7 access to friends and neighbors when you use social media. Be social and share your enthusiasm for your favorite cause or charity via the Internet. Include links to articles and information about your cause. Invite your “network” to participate with you as you’re making a difference. It’s amazing how quickly people will become interested and help you accomplish your goal.
Small acts with big impact.
Giving back doesn’t have to cost a thing—small acts of kindness can make a big impact. RoyalConnect is our monthly program designed to connect the community to our mission of empowering women and serving communities through small acts of kindness. We welcome participation from anyone as we’re all capable of being a force for good. Invite your friends and family to participate in a small act of kindness, too! For every person that shares their participation with us, Royal Neighbors will donate $10 to the selected nonprofit.*
*One $10 donation per person reporting per month. Minimum donation of $1,000 and maximum donation of $4,000.
The above does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult a licensed professional for recommendations applicable to your specific situation.
TRN00063; Rev. 2-2025
