Hey there, it’s Tuesday — but not just any Tuesday.
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages folks to give their time, money, and talents to causes and organizations they care about.
2020 is a historically difficult year, and many of us have already stepped up to share what we can. Today, we’re encouraging you to double down on those efforts and consider new ways to get involved and make a difference in your community — not just today but throughout the month and into 2021.
Keep scrolling for a list of ways to commemorate Giving Tuesday in Orlando. Have other ideas to share? We’d love to hear them. Let us know by emailing us here.
🛍️ Stock the shelves at our local shelters and food banks. Winter is a time when many service providers run low on basic necessities, like cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items. You can check directly with your favorite org, or search for local nonprofits to shop for on Amazon (and if you’re shopping on Amazon, make sure you’re signed up for Amazon Smile). Here in Orlando, we know that Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Food Bank, Pathlight Home, and Catholic Charities of Central Florida could use our donations, as could Pet Alliance and the Central Florida Animal Reserve.
💸 Put your money where your mouth is. COVID-19 hasn’t just been tough for local businesses; the resulting economic downturn has also hit nonprofits, arts organizations, and other groups that rely on the generosity of our community. If you’re able to donate money to a cause you care about, now is a great time to do so. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of orgs by the Orlando Sentinel or peruse the Central Florida Foundation site for an org that speaks to you. We know that Opera Orlando, Bros in Convo, New Image Youth Center, Rebuilding Together of Central Florida (thanks for the head’s up, Abby L.) and the Polis Institute could use a helping hand.
💪 Volunteer if you feel safe doing so. The pandemic has forced many orgs to cut back or modify their volunteer opportunities, but there are still lots of ways to help out — and keep your distance. A few opportunities we recently spotted on the United Against Poverty website: Stocking shelves, sorting through donated clothing and household items and taking inventory of its food pantry.
🏡 Look for the need in your own backyard. If there’s one silver lining to COVID-19, it’s that it’s brought our neighborhoods closer together. Maybe you have an immunocompromised neighbor who needs help grocery shopping or an elderly relative who’s missing out on social interaction, or a friend who could use some cheering up. Many of the usual ways to show you care are still in play: Pick up the phone, send an encouraging message, or drop off a special treat.
📰 Support local journalists. Look, we’re not here to tell you how to spend your money, but we’d be remiss not to mention that this pandemic has hit local news outlets especially hard. If you don’t already pay for your news, now is a great time to start. Subscribe to a newspaper (digital counts!). Donate to public radio. And if you still have a little bit leftover, consider becoming a Pulptown+ member.