Ways to Help Others

If you have the funds, it's worthwhile to make donations to help people who are in need. But being short on cash doesn't mean you can't support or serve your community. If you want to help out, there are a myriad ways to do so. Put your talents and skills to good use by getting out and lending a hand in your community.

Teaching

One great way to serve people in your community is to offer to teach. You don't have to be a math genius or be excellent with grammar to teach. You can teach a subject you know well that will give happiness or some sort of other benefit to those who participate. For example, if you love fitness, you  might teach swimming lessons or a yoga class. If you are crafty or artistic, you might teach an arts and crafts class. You can also volunteer to tutor students after school if your skills lie in academia.

A number of volunteer organizations exist that pair potential teachers with schools or activity centers. Do your research to find out if there's such an organization near you. If there isn't, talk to the administrators at your school. They might be happy to let you organize one.

Preparing Food

Another way to help others is to volunteer to prepare food at a soup kitchen or food pantry. Many  places serve hot meals to people year round and need volunteers to help out in the kitchen. There are other ways to put your culinary skills to good use too. For example, you can volunteer to prepare food for people working with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

Helping Animals

If you love pets, there are several ways you can help animals, and in turn people. You can volunteer to house a puppy for several weeks before he enters training to become a guide dog. You can also foster an animal until he is ready to go home with his adoptive family.

Donate Your Skills

You might consider making a donation of your skills to an organization you support and believe in. For instance, if you are a graphic designer, you might produce pamphlets and flyers for your favorite charity, pro bono. If you're a lawyer, you  might work with an organization free of charge. You might provide counseling to disadvantaged populations for free or on a sliding scale if you're a therapist. There are plenty of ways you can help others without opening your wallet.