A new holiday season is the perfect time to give back to the community. Between bundling up for classic Christmas parades, taking scenic drives through Yakima’s iconic holiday light shows, and firing up the oven for the latest batch of gingerbread, the valley offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the spirit of the season. This year, start a new family tradition by spreading a little Christmas magic and giving back to those in need here in Yakima!
Good Samaritan’s Angel Tree
While you’re out shopping for gifts for friends and family, take a moment to pick up a gift for a stranger as well– the Good Samaritan’s yearly Angel Tree program makes the gift selection process easy. Each angel ornament represents a child in our community with a specific need or wish for their Christmas season. Giving to one or multiple families through the Angel Tree is the perfect way to wrap up your holiday shopping and get kids involved in the joy of generosity.
Yakima Rotary Food Bank
703 Central Avenue, Yakima
The Yakima Rotary Food Bank, which operates in partnership with Northwest Harvest and the City of Yakima and serves over 2,000 people every week, has been a staple of the community since 1971. The need for donations and volunteers is always present, particularly on Thursday and Friday mornings when food is being packed up and ready for distribution.
Whether it be for a few hours weekly while the kids are in school, or with the whole family involved over winter break, being a part of the incredible impact that Yakima Rotary Food Bank has is a gift in itself.
Sunrise Outreach Center
10 N 6th Avenue, Yakima
Since 2009, Sunrise Outreach Center has worked to find creative solutions for several needs in and throughout Yakima County. Between clothing drives, prepared food delivery services, and food pantry operations, there are plenty of opportunities to make a positive change in our city this season. So while you’re out shopping for holiday dinners, pick up an extra can of soup or box of stuffing to donate to the Outreach Center– or sign up for a volunteer shift to have first-hand involvement as part of the team.
Dressember
For a unique way to get involved in a global community, become an advocate with Dressember for a month and raise money to fund anti-human-trafficking programs across the world. The Dressember Foundation asks advocates to do one simple thing: wear a dress (or a suit and tie) every day in December to start conversations and raise funds that are distributed directly to pre-existing organizations across the nation and the world that work against human trafficking.
While the Dressember movement is less specific to our county, the issue it works to address is global, and the individual contribution is fun for the whole family!
More Ways to Give Back in Yakima
There are dozens of incredible organizations working to better our community and invite more families into the holiday festivities– but there are also many ways to give back to others even closer to home!
- Tray up a batch or two of your favorite treats to deliver to neighbors.
- Write a handwritten note for coworkers or friends to add to your photo Christmas card.
- Bring gently used jackets or blankets to winter supply drives or donation centers.
- Keep an eye out for Giving Trees or gift-wrapping events at your local school or church and sign up to participate.
- Gather up gently used books and donate them to your library or community center.
- Pay it forward at a coffee or fast-food drive-thru to make someone’s day a little brighter.
- Schedule blood donation through a Red Cross blood drive to save lives (and earn limited-time rewards for donors).
‘Tis the season to get the whole family involved in helping the Yakima community, one gift at a time.
