Giving Tuesday

It started with Black Friday. Now we have Small Business Saturday, Flannel Friday, Cyber Monday… so many fun things to end our Thanksgiving holiday with. On the tail end of this list we have Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year.

During this time of year our hearts fill as we head into the Christmas season with family, friends, and so much thankfulness and gratitude. However, we also acknowledge that there are those less fortunate who may be struggling, and Giving Tuesday makes it easier to consider what you have to offer that may help someone in need.

Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement", a day encouraging people to do good. On this day, many people give their time or donate resources as an act of community involvement. There are many ways to give back in your own community. The official Giving Tuesday movement offers a search option to help you connect with organizations and events in your community, which you can find here.

In our Northwest Arkansas community, we have many shelters in need of supplies. A local homeless shelter, 7hills, has released a list of needs such as tents, tarps, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights, batteries, and over-the-counter medicines you may have sitting in your storage closets or garages.

Animal Shelters and other animal-focused non-profits could benefit from your help. Locally, Ranger’s Pantry, a non-profit pet food bank that works to keep pets with their families during financially hardships, accepts dog and cat food donations or monetary donations.

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter purchases a toy for each child in their care during the Christmas season. This gifting relies on community donations. They release a wish list including things like gift cards, games, Legos, art kits, etc. There are several other outreaches that help give Christmas gifts to children as well.

In NWA alone, we also have many opportunities to help seniors, women’s shelters, and sexual abuse centers. A great list for the NWA area can be found here.