And just like that, it’s time to bring back hot cocoa, holiday movies, snowball fights, sweaters, Uggs, pumpkin lattes, and so much more. 

   As we transition from fall to winter more and more people are worried about staying warm. Have you wanted to help but just don’t know how to? Well don’t worry, here are a few ways you can help.

   One of the simplest things you can do is buy some essentials during cold weather (blankets, thermal cup, mittens, scarves, socks, etc.) . By donating you can help someone who is houseless this winter have a little bit of warmth. You can go up to houseless people on the street, or you can go to shelters.

   Another thing you can do for your community this season is volunteer at places such as soup kitchens. There are a few different soup kitchens in the area to volunteer at: Zarephath Kitchen and Pantry is located at 59 NW Ava Ave, Gresham, OR 97030  and Northeast Emergency Food Program is located at 4800 NE 72nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218. Crossroads Foodbanks is located at 2407 NE 102nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220. Zarephath Kitchen and Pantry has a rating of 4.6 from Google by others who have been there, and they have a lot of positive feedback about the staff and volunteers. At Northeast Emergency Food Program they have a rating of 4.5 from Google by others who have been there, and many like the food quality and service. Crossroads Foodbanks has a rating of 4.9 from Google by others who have been there, and this one as well has a lot of positive feedback about the food, the service, etc.  And in order to volunteer for any of these soup kitchens you must go to their websites. http://www.feedeastcounty.org/ (Zarephath Kitchen and Pantry), https://emoregon.org/nefp/ (Northeast Emergency Food Program), and https://crossroadsfoodbank.wordpress.com/ (Crossroads Foodbanks).

  Another idea is to either host a coat drive with a club at school and partner up with “One Warm Coat,”. It’s an organization that donates new and slightly used coats to those in need of a coat, no matter who you are. They’re all located in San Francisco, California but they do shipping and will work with you.  You can also simply ask friends or family or you yourself can just donate to “One Warm Coat.” If you need more information on it, go to onewarmcoat.org . 

  You can also donate to children in hospitals, or to hospitals in general. It can be a lot for a family with a sick child, because it’s a constant thing going back to  back to hospitals and going home, or work. But the holidays are when it gets even harder. They know they can’t give their child a normal holiday season, and some families don’t have insurance, so they don’t have money to spare for presents. 

   However, there is something you can do. You can make a child’s wish come true by getting them their wish. Go to OHSU.EDU and you can find the wish list for the children at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Don’t know what to buy? Don’t worry, they have a list of items you can give. 

   Remember you can help someone, even if it’s little. You can ask a neighbor or a friend if they need help bringing in their groceries or maybe when it starts to snow, remind someone to put on snow chains, or help them shovel. Anything small and minor and it can just make someone’s day. 

  Hopefully you got a great idea of how to help somebody out. May you have a very warm and cozy holiday!