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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Alberta chapter.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. It really is the most wonderful time of the year with the music, the decorations, festive activities, and especially the joy! During this season, I feel even more blessed and grateful for everyone and everything in my life. Sometimes, we take what we have for granted, we’re human so it happens. Christmas can be a very lonely time for a lot of people so it’s important to make some time to give back. I’ve listed a few places that could use some extra help over the holiday season or on a regular basis!

The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton

The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton aims to promote the Christmas spirit by providing a festive meal to low income individuals, seniors, families, and couples without children. Not only that, but they serve as a stop for Christmas services in order to provide food hampers or gifts for children through the 630 CHED Santas Anonymous and for teenagers through the Adopt-A-Teen program.

 

In 2018, they provided 39,137 individuals with a festive meal, 14,867 of these individuals were children under 12 and 4,702 were teenagers.

 

Applying to volunteer is super simple and there are a variety of roles to choose from!

 

For information about volunteering: https://www.christmasbureau.ca/ways-to-help/volunteer/

For information about donating: https://www.christmasbureau.ca/ways-to-help/donate/

The Edmonton Food Bank

The Edmonton Food Bank strives to provide food, free of charge, to those in need while searching for solutions to end hunger. They help more than 20,000 people each month providing 500,000 meals and snacks in one month.

 

I volunteered with the Food Bank last Christmas and seeing the work they do is incredible, I plan on going back. They receive large influxes of donations around the holiday season but then see a decrease once it’s over. People need food all year round so it’s crucial that they continue to receive donations throughout the year. They have a list of items that they’re most in need of but monetary donations are also helpful because it allows the coordinators to purchase what they need.

 

Anyone can volunteer with them! Some roles include packing food hampers to checking expiry dates on food. You can go by yourself or with a group of friends!

 

For information about volunteering: https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/volunteer/

For information about donating: https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/ways-give/

The Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House is an incredible organization that provides families with ill or injured children with a home away from home while they seek treatment in Edmonton. Families come from all over the province and sometimes even from around the world. The house provides families with accommodation, meals, transportation, and regular activities like movie nights to ensure a sense of normalcy in their lives. 

 

I am so happy to be able to volunteer with them and I would encourage everyone to consider donating their time to them! They accept both individuals and groups. You can sign up to volunteer on a regular basis or be a general volunteer! (Volunteers will need to provide a criminal record check).

 

For information about volunteering: https://rmhcalberta.org/volunteer/

For information about donating: https://rmhcalberta.org/donate/

YESS (Youth Empowerment & Support Services)

YESS (Youth Empowerment & Support Services) provides immediate shelter, temporary housing, and individual support for youth between the ages of 15-24. They focus on a variety of important concerns such as preventing homelessness for these youth and building healthy relationships. Supporting youth in all aspects of their lives allows YESS to help the youth that desperately need their help.

 

Their logo is really interesting, a swallow named Francis who represents hope, renewal of life, and freedom. They designed it out of polygons because all the parts form one whole.

 

They have different volunteer opportunities to volunteer on a regular basis as well as opportunities to volunteer at special events!

 

For information about volunteering: https://yess.org/volunteer/

For information about donating: https://yess.org/donate/

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious home-delivered meals and related food services to those who need some extra help. They serve not only seniors, but also those who don’t have family close by to help with groceries, those with dietary restrictions, those who have just been discharged from the hospital, or even people who find it hard to cook healthy meals on a regular basis. 

 

In addition to providing food, they also provide social connections for those who are homebound. Food is an important factor in socialization and building relationships, it’s something we often take for granted.

 

If you enjoy connecting with others, then you should consider volunteering with Meals on Wheels. There are three major roles: Driver, Kitchen Helper, and Grocery Shopper so there’s something for everyone! They have opportunities for individuals as well as groups! (Volunteers will need to provide a criminal record check.)

 

For information about volunteering: https://mealsonwheelsedmonton.org/pages/volunteer

For information about donating: https://mealsonwheelsedmonton.org/pages/donate

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Robin is a senior student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. She is getting a Science Degree, with a Psychology major and a double minor in Sociology & Biology. Part-time jobs, full-time classes, various student groups and volunteering fill most of her time. Robin is the 2020/2021 President of Her Campus at UAlberta and served as the social media director for the 2018/2019 year!