Give Thanks: How to Give More to the Less Fortunate this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving isn’t about eating, watching balloons float over Manhattan or preparing for the next day’s big sales. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have. And if you’re feeling thankful, try sharing some of your blessings with others this year. Here are some suggestions for giving more to the less fortunate this Thanksgiving.

Volunteer - Earn that turkey and mashed potatoes by putting in a little volunteer time Thanksgiving morning. Contact a local food bank or Meals on Wheels chapter to locate an opportunity to serve. You’ll have even more to be thankful for after you’ve helped those that are less fortunate.

Save Box Tops - Chances are, on some of the products you picked up from the grocery store to create your Thanksgiving feast there’s a little pink rectangle that says “Box Tops for Education.” You’ll find them on everything from biscuits to frozen corn and each one of those little logos is worth $.10 to a local school. Keep an eye out for them this Thanksgiving and head to BoxTops4Education.com to find a school in your area that is saving them up. While you’re there, print out a few money saving coupons to take with you to the grocery store.

Go Online -
There are lots of free ways you can give more to the less fortunate just by getting online. Head to LandoLakesInc.com and click on the “Join Operation Co-Operation” link. Click once a day, and Land O’Lakes will make a donation to help fight local hunger. While you’re online, help grant a child’s wish by sending out a Tweet. Once 100,000 Tweets are sent out, Leapfish.com will make a $10,000 donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation so that four-year-old Jacob can visit a California theme park. And finally, send a holiday e-card to a loved one and Kraft will donate the equivalent of ten meals to Feeding America. Kraft will give up to one million meals through the end of June.

Exercise - There’s probably a Turkey Trot or a 5k going on in your community this Thanksgiving. These events typically support worthy charitable causes. Sign up and you’ll feel good for helping out a non-profit and for burning off a few extra calories.

By Alison Storm

The Land of Nod - Pick up some sweet toys for your little ones and your local Toys For Tots toy drive, and receive free shipping with coupon code FROSTY through 11/30/2009.

Macy's - Hit up the Thanksgiving Sale at Macy's, where you'll save 20-50% off thousands of items through 11/26/2009. Be sure to pick up some warm blankets or sweaters to drop off at your local homeless shelter, too.