Finding a charity with a clear and defined purpose can be a challenge. That's why we're sharing 5 amazing charities plus easy and clear details on how to give back this holiday season.
Did you know that India has a high prevalence of blindness and visual impairment, with an estimated 4.95 million people blind and 35 million visually impaired? This is more than 20% of the world's blind population, and India has the highest number of blind children in any country – vitamin A deficiency being the leading cause. The Sankara Eye Foundation gives free eye surgeries to those with curable blindness and free eye care in India. Today, they have 26 eye hospitals across 15 states in India.
Last year, “One Warm Coat distributed 503,527 coats to children and adults in need across the country, keeping 1.25 million pounds of textiles out of landfills.” You can help contribute to their mission too! Yes, there are thrift stores, but some towns are very car-dependent, meaning you would have to drive to get there.
Also, not everyone can take public transportation and shop so easily because of disability reasons. Plus, you never know how far a thrift store is away or if they have coats available. On the other hand, the coats from One Warm Coat are free, and are normally held at central locations within the community.
The Holidays are during the winter so housing programs and night shelters are often at full capacity because of cold temperatures, especially in urban areas. However, helping to fund organizations like Project Home helps build their capacity so they can help more people during the Holidays. Project Home offers permanent, subsidized housing for individuals and families who have been homeless. They also offer medical care, opportunities for unemployment, and education.
You can help here.
City Harvest Food Rescue Center NYC
In 2022, over 60% of all U.S. children and adolescents aged 5–17 years received free or reduced-cost meals at school, which means a significant portion of children rely on school meals for their nutrition. But, what about Christmas Break? Specifically in NYC, 1 in 4 children have no idea where their next meal is coming from on a day-to-day basis.
You can donate here to help children secure meals over the Holidays.
The holidays can be a deeply challenging time, especially for those who are actively using a substance or in recovery. It can even be a challenging time for those who have been in recovery for years.
According to the Substance And Mental Health Services Administration, relapses significantly spike during the Holidays. Situations, conversations, and certain people that trigger old wounds can arise during the Holidays, and having support and feeling certain like you’re not alone is extremely important.
If you'd like to contribute to their mission, you can give a gift here.