How to Safely Give Back
By Danielle Alexander
Although there’s definitely a need for it year-round, November seems to be the month when my family partakes in our annual acts of service. Because of Covid-19, these acts will undoubtedly look different this year than in years past; nevertheless, whether through the donation of goods, time, knowledge and/or funds, there are still plenty of opportunities for us and others in the community to safely give back in 2020.
Giving goods
According to feedingamerica.org, 54 million people in America may experience hunger because of Covid-19, which is a 60% increase in the number of people seeking help from food banks. Donating to a food drive or, if you feel comfortable, hosting your own food drive would be a great way to give back this year. Like many metro Detroit churches, Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Farmington hosts an annual Thanksgiving Food Drive where parishioners and students at the school can bring in a variety of goods to donate. Gift cards, especially this year, are highly encouraged.
In hopes of inspiring a sense of giving in our five-year-old daughter this holiday season, one way I have decided to give goods is by “Adopting a Child.” We have received this child’s wishlist, and my daughter and I have already begun brainstorming what we will get her; she is so excited to take the lead on this. Once we complete our shopping, I plan to take my daughter with me to drop off the unwrapped gifts to the child welfare agency. In addition to individual children, entire families are also always an option.
Giving time and knowledge, safely
Many local metro Detroit food banks are in need of in-person volunteers but do have strict Covid-19 precautions in place. Distributing more than 45 million pounds of food annually to those in need from Wayne, Oakland, Monroe, Livingston and Macomb counties, Gleaners Food Bank is one of many food banks with volunteer opportunities for interested community members, including the youth. Whether at distribution centers, through My Neighborhood Mobile Grocery or at food pantries, the team at Gleaners believes the “generous donation of time and energy is vitally important.”
Another sometimes less obvious way to give back is to share your knowledge. I am a former high school English and journalism teacher, so I could easily donate some hours of my time to tutoring those in need. If the student does not feel comfortable meeting in-person right now, we could also FaceTime or connect on Zoom.
Giving funds
If you have the means to do so, donating money to organizations in need is probably the easiest, least time-consuming and safest way to give back this year. However, be sure you’re passionate about the cause you decide to support and have done your research on the organization ahead of time.
The Chaldean Community Foundation is a worthy recipient that has been working doubly hard since the pandemic, treating concerned clients and providing PPE for the general public. It’s easy to give on their website: Chaldeanfoundation.org.
My nieces love the Detroit Zoo, so instead of purchasing more toys for them this year for Christmas, I adopted each of them a zoo animal. When they open their presents on Christmas morning, they will see an adoption certificate, an 8x10 color photo of the animal adopted, a fact sheet on that animal and a gift certificate for a plush animal from Zoofari Market. Once the weather warms up again, a zoo trip to visit their new “pets” will be in the works, as well.
How community members are planning to give back
Angela Konja of Farmington Hills said she hopes St. Thomas in West Bloomfield continues, “The Giving Tree,” which is one way people of all ages can perform a meaningful act of charity by including someone less fortunate they don’t know in their Christmas shopping. “The church always has a tree in the lobby filled with tags that say things like ‘Pots and Pans,’ ‘Toddler Games’ or ‘Gift Cards.’ Then, after purchasing the item on your tag, you bring the unwrapped gifts back, and an organization distributes them to the needy families,” says Konja.
Novi resident Ramy Sulaiman is on the steering committee for The 100+ Millennials Who Care, a group of millennials from all walks of life and varying financial backgrounds who are interested in supporting the Southeast Michigan community through philanthropy. Each member gives $100 and one hour of their time, four times a year. “$100 to charity doesn’t feel like you’re making a difference, but when 100 people donate $100 at the same time, they raise $10,000, which can make a huge impact,” Sulaiman said.
Sterling Heights resident Nahla Barash said she plans to continue her yearly act of service and pay off layaway balances at a local business: “Every year, I pick a different store, ask the service desk about their layaways and pick people who have layaway toys or kids’ clothes, so I can pay off their balances. I can’t imagine being the parent and telling my kids we can’t afford it. It breaks my heart. I am blessed and live a good life, so I share God’s blessings with other people’s kids. Sometimes people personally thank me on the phone, and I can’t help but cry. It’s a great feeling.”
Giving back may take a little more creativity in 2020, but it is definitely possible to, “feel good by doing good.”
Danielle Alexander is the owner of Edify LLC, a local tutoring, freelance writing and editing business, as well as the editorial coordinator for West Bloomfield Lifestyle Magazine. She’d like to wish the Chaldean community a safe and healthy November. Happy Thanksgiving!