During a celebration of abundance, many families enjoy giving back during the Thanksgiving holidays. It’s not only a great way to be part of the community, but it’s a bonding experience for many families and a way to express gratitude. While some people give back by working in shelters or soup kitchens or serving at the food bank in person, you can also give a Thanksgiving donation from the comfort of your living room. From donating money or time online, learn how to give a virtual donation on Thanksgiving with our tips.
How to virtually give Thanksgiving donations to food banks
Food insecurity impacts every community, especially rural communities. Since the pandemic started, food insecurity has increased and continues to impact people across the country. To send a virtual donation to food banks in your community, you can:
- Give what you can. Most food banks have virtual donation systems, so you can make a Thanksgiving donation virtually and safely. Plus, donations allow food banks to buy the items that they – and their clients – need the most.
- Take up virtual volunteering. Ask your local food bank if they need help thanking donors over the phone.
- Host a virtual donation fundraiser with your friends and family. Divide the group into two teams and see who can raise and donate the most dough. Make sure to reward the winning team with some sort of prize to make it a win-win for everyone!
How to virtually give Thanksgiving donations to other nonprofits
Nonprofits make a huge difference in our communities, providing resources to the most vulnerable among us. Thanks to the pandemic, many rely on virtual donation fundraising events. These fundraising events are often key in helping nonprofits develop the funds they need to run and serve their communities every year. Here’s what you can do:
- Be sure to attend any virtual fundraising events that your favorite local nonprofit puts on and make a Thanksgiving donation.
- Check with your employer to see if they will match your Thanksgiving donation to your favorite nonprofit – many do!
- Check for local virtual volunteer opportunities – your local United Way is a great place to start your research. Many nonprofits need help with web development, social media, accounting, and other tasks that can be done over the computer.
How to virtually give Thanksgiving donations while you shop
If you’re planning on doing some Black Friday shopping, look for opportunities like these to give virtual donations:
- Amazon Smile donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to nonprofits with no fees. Many nonprofits also create wish lists on Amazon, so you can also support them by purchasing much-needed items.
- If you’re shopping elsewhere, check out Giving Assistant, which gives you cashback when you shop online and allows you to donate that cashback to the nonprofit of your choice.
- Don’t forget Giving Tuesday during Cyber Week! After your Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday shopping is done, make sure to give a virtual donation on Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving and community support.
This Thanksgiving, we hope you’ll join us in giving back to your community. Here at CenturyLink, we host an annual food drive to help fight hunger in our markets and raise awareness of backpack programs that provide meals to children over weekends and school breaks. Since 1999, the annual drive has resulted in more than 47 million pounds of food being donated in our markets. Learn more about the Clarke M. Williams Foundation and how CenturyLink supports community initiatives today.
