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Does it feel strange to peruse the virtual aisles this year, looking for that perfect new sweater for your sister?
Same here.
Like us, you’re probably tired of hearing what an ‘unprecedented’ year this is—and yet, you know it really is unprecedented.
From a global pandemic to widespread protests, to a political environment considered the most divided since the Civil War, unprecedented hardly feels like it covers 2020.
(Not to mention the murder hornets!)
Since March, The Salvation Army has provided more than 100 million meals, 1.5 million nights of safe shelter, and emotional and spiritual support to over 800,000 people in need. In case you’re wondering, that means The Salvation Army has nearly doubled its service to Americans in need this year—and the level of need is not slowing down.
In the United States, one in six people were already living in poverty before the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than 550,000 were counted as homeless.
A recent study by Columbia University showed that nearly 8 million Americans have fallen into poverty since May.
And this Christmas, The Salvation Army expects to provide assistance for up to 155 percent more people. All the while, circumstances threaten the ability to raise critical funds at the iconic red kettles—money that supports so many services to the most vulnerable throughout the year.
So as we head into Christmastime, it’s hard to feel that all is calm, all is bright.
But here’s the good news: You can give help and hope to those in need.
As you make your gift-giving list this year, here’s a reverse gift guide with four impactful ways you can join The Salvation Army in rescuing Christmas this year.
For the cost of a drive-through lunch, give $10 to provide a meal every day this week for a neighbor in need.
Wrap your gifts in newspaper this year and give the money you would’ve spent on supplies to provide a night of shelter to someone in need.
Give a tank-full of your 2020 gas savings to provide Christmas gifts to a child in need.
Skip the last-minute trip to Target and give $100 to provide 80 meals to people experiencing hunger in your community.
Think of the faces: Grateful for a warm meal, relieved for a safe place to sleep, tearing into a present on Christmas morning, or putting food on the family table.
Help your friends or family see it, too. Give with a specific person in mind, then download this printable card to send to their door. You’ll make them feel loved with a gift in their honor, and may even get them to join the Fight for Good, too.
Give to The Salvation Army via the virtual Red Kettle today then download. Give in a loved one’s honor and send this card to their door.
Do Good:
- Shop our Reverse Gift Guide and give with a specific person in mind. Send this card to their door to make sure they feel loved and perhaps get them to give help and hope, too.
- See how you can help The Salvation Army Rescue Christmas this year.
- Listen to the Do Gooders Podcast season out now on Savoring Simplicity this Advent.
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