The holiday season is upon us, and it is the perfect time of year to show how grateful we are by helping others in need. Not everyone will spend the holidays in a warm home surrounded by loved ones, but those of us that will can make the season a little bit brighter by donating time, food and gifts to those less fortunate. To make it a little easier for you to do so, here is a list of places where you can volunteer or make donations in the Montgomery area:


The Salvation Army of Montgomery, AL
With a statement of “we’re better together”, the Salvation Army serves the most vulnerable citizens in our community in many ways. During the holiday season, millions of children in America will not receive gifts for Christmas or even have a decent meal to celebrate Thanksgiving. You can help by “giving joy” and making a donation or by volunteering your time and energy to distribute gifts along with food for holiday meals to participating families.


Hands on River Region
Adopt a family in need through the Christmas Clearinghouse Project. Through this program you can provide for the needs of one family and make their Christmas a little brighter.  You can also build a care basket of items that food stamps and public assistance don’t provide for. If you don’t have time for either of those options, monetary donations are always welcomed and appreciated.


Friendship Mission
Friendship Mission’s goal is to assist homeless people in becoming self-sustaining in the local community. They need your help. You can volunteer your time and talents in various ways to help those in need: sponsor a movie night or a game day party meal, assist adults in learning about time management and other life skills, tutor school-aged children and/or adult learners who are working toward their GED, or do something fun with the clients like playing bingo or teaching a craft. And of course, donations and gifts are always welcome and appreciated.


The Montgomery Area Council on Aging
This organization serves seniors in the River Region area of Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore, Coosa, and Tallapoosa counties. Their flagship program is Meals on Wheels. Volunteers deliver hot, nutritious meals to over 400 senior citizens who cannot prepare their own meals. They not only provide much needed nutrition, but they also give daily social interaction as they check on the welfare of their recipients.  They currently have a waiting list of over 200 seniors who need your help. Volunteer HERE.


Family Promise of Montgomery
Family Promise’s vision is “a nation in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and a chance to build a better future together”.  To accomplish that goal, even just in the Montgomery area, it takes a village. Family Promise welcomes and appreciates volunteers of all ages to support families with children facing a housing crisis. Serving over 1,000 people a year, it is truly not possible to succeed without community involvement. Click HERE to see all the ways you can volunteer for this wonderful organization.


Montgomery Area Food Bank
The food bank’s mission statement: “To source, acquire, and distribute nutritious food those experiencing hunger and food insecurity throughout out region, so that families, seniors, and children can thrive.” Every $1 donated feeds five hungry people in the River Region. Click HERE to get involved!

These are just a few ways you can give back to your community this holiday season. Happy Holidays!

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Photo credits: paradoxlabs.com, salvationarmyalm.org, handsonriverregion.org, friendshipmission.org, macoa.org, familypromisemontgomery.org