A pessimist, they say, sees a glass of water as being half empty; an optimist sees the same glass as half full. But a giving person sees a glass of water and starts looking for someone who might be thirsty.
The approach of the holiday season is a good time of year to recognize how lucky we are and to look for opportunities to volunteer and donate to those who might not be as fortunate.
There are many opportunities to give in the Burlingame area, and nothing makes you feel as good as doing something for someone else. Here's just a few of them.....
Donate To A Local Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank is the primary source of donated, surplus, and purchased food for non-profit agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, and they've placed packaged food deposit bins at many locations throughout the Burlingame and San Mateo areas, including local grocery stores, to kick off the annual Holiday Drive. Donations will go to a food bank which serves local residents and families living below the poverty level.
It's pretty easy to donate food, or donate money online. You can become a Monthly Harvest Club member and feed families every month. If you work at a company, check to see if they have a matching gift program and double the impact of your gift.
To find out how to help or to volunteer, click here.
Samaritan House Food Program
Thanksgiving server volunteer opportunities are already full at Samaritan House, but they still need help on November food distribution days. Volunteers are needed to set up decorations, bag frozen turkeys, load shopping carts and more. It is never too early for children to learn to share, so parents are encouraged to bring their children to help.
To learn more about the programs Samaritan House offers, click here.
Donate A Holiday Dinner Basket
The Shelter Network in Burlingame is committed to providing housing and support services for homeless families and individuals seeking to re-establish self-sufficiency and return to permanent homes of their own.
Due to community generosity they have already filled the need for Thanksgiving dinner baskets, but still need holiday baskets. We know that nothing brings a family together like a festive meal, so create a holiday dinner basket with nutritious food and drop it off by December 23rd.
To learn more about other ways to participate, click here. If you'd like to donate a holiday dinner basket, call the Shelter Network at 650-685-5880.
Give the Gift of Play
For those in need, the holidays can be particularly difficult. Now that the holidays are almost here, you can help a child in need through the Central County Fire Department Toy Drive. All Burlingame and Hillsborough Fire Stations will be collecting new, unwrapped toys until December 24th, and there's many other area businesses that are accepting donations. For a list of drop-off locations, click here.
