by Ashley Goforth

It’s that time of year again — you know, the one where you find yourself stretching your budget to buy gifts for the people you care about. Maybe it’s not as bad as last year, or maybe you are facing a depletion of your savings and realize it’s going to be a smaller holiday this time. As someone who’s always into helping others and showing people I care, I’ve put together a few ideas for surviving the holiday season.

For the brother you’ve already bought a star and donated a chicken for:
Give meals for New Yorkers in need — in his honor! Every $1 you give helps provide 5 meals to New Yorkers in need. Donate $25 dollars, and when you personalize the tribute gift card that we’ll send to your little bro, let him know that 250 meals will be provided to hungry New Yorkers in his name, thanks to you! (Or, donate $97,500 and let Uncle Steve know the gift he received can provide a meal to every inhabitant on Staten Island.)

For the friend that’s always saying the holidays are too commercial:
Volunteer for an afternoon. Snap a photo of the fun you have buttering bread, mopping floors and slinging soup. Get a frame from a dollar store and voila! Give it to your friend with a card letting her know you donated your time on her behalf for a day of service. Find a program in your area to support with our Food Program Locator. REGIFT IDEA! If someone gives this to you as a gift, schedule a volunteer day with them as a way to give back! BONUS POINTS: Make your day of volunteering into the first step toward a New Year’s resolution to volunteer more often.

For the aunt who constantly brings up your lack of motivation or (insert character flaw here):
Sign up for a personalized Virtual Food Drive — where the donations are virtual, but the food is for real. Just sign up, set a fundraising goal, post a photo if you like and email friends and family inviting them to help others during the holiday season by contributing toward your goal. Plus, get the word out on Twitter, by donating your Facebook status or creating a video ask on YouTube. Be creative!

For the parents who still complain about having to clean out your room:
Spring isn’t the only time for cleaning! Clean out your childhood room or city apartment and donate excess food and items to your local food assistance program, many of which provide more than just food to their clients. Do you really need three winter coats? Do you really still want a bedroom filled with stuffed animals? A winter cleaning of your stuff can provide much needed canned food, clothes and toys to your local food pantry or soup kitchen. Check out our Food Program Locator to find a program near you. BONUS POINTS: Volunteer for the afternoon when you drop off your stuff. REGIFT IDEA! Donate that t-shirt from Aunt Laura you never wear. Just tell her it didn’t fit too well and you thought someone in need would get better use out of it. How mad can she be, knowing you meant well by donating gently used items.
*Remember to call ahead and ask if your local program can handle the amount of items you plan on bringing.

BONUS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IDEA:
Donate your time, a bit of gumption and your skills and volunteer during tax season. Annually, the Food Bank’s Tax Assistance Program has assisted low- to moderate-income New Yorkers complete up to 50,000 tax returns, helping to provide as much at $100 million in tax refunds. You can be Pat Sajac with a calculator. The happiness and financial stability you could help bring a New Yorker in need is more than worth the effort