December Blog Post - Season of Giving - Community Engagement

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December Blog Post – Season of Giving

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With the holidays come many things: family gatherings, tasty food, gift exchanges, and gratitude for the year that has passed. For some, the holidays are a difficult time for a number of reasons. For those that face food insecurity or financial constraints for the purchase of gifts, there are many local resources available for assistance. For those that do not face those challenges, there are ways to donate time, money, and energy to help those in need. This blog post will outline resources available in the Springfield area. 

 

Ways to give within the community: 

  1. Salvation Army Red Kettles 

We are all familiar with the Bell Ringers outside of the grocery stores during this season. This is a great resource to give monetary funds OR volunteer time as a Bell Ringer. 

There are several companies that participate in “match” days. For the funds given, these companies will match up to a certain dollar amount. 

  • December 7th: Pinegar Honda and Chevrolet match days 
  • December 16th-23rd: Bass Pro Match Week   

 2.  Village Inn Toy Drive  

Annual Toy Drive hosted at Village Inn (2036 N. Glenstone location only.  

  • December 7th 7am-1pm  
  • Free meal coupons for those that bring a toy or monetary donation 

 3. Angel Tree  

Donors can purchase gifts and clothes for those in need. Trees can be found at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Battlefield Mall, Bass Pro Shops, Hobby Lobby, and other retail locations. Link here to all locations: Angel Tree Locations.  

  • Distribution days:
    • December 17, 2024, from 9am-3pm 
    • December 18, 2024, 9am-12pm 

 4. Convoy of Hope Gift Catalog 

Bundles are available on Convoy of Hope’s website to assist in one of their initiatives. These bundles include farmers, disaster relief, caring for a child, and helping moms. This would be a great option for someone who is busy and unable to donate time or make it to a specific location to serve those in need because they can be purchased online. 

Link to the gift catalog: Gift Catalog | Convoy of Hope  

 5. Volunteer Opportunities 

If unable to donate monetary funds, there are many organizations that host regular volunteer events to donate time. A few organizations are linked below:

Ozars Food Harvest 

Convoy of Hope 

Bear Pantry 

Safe to Sleep  

Ronald McDonald 

Crosslines (link takes you directly to the Holiday Support section of the website) 

 

Resources for those in need:  

  1. Salvation Army Holiday Meals 

Community Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals  

2. Victory Mission Community Meals 

  • Friday, November 22nd at 5pm 
    • Freedom City Church 
    • Address: 1477 N Broadway Ave 
  • Tuesday, November 26th at 5pm 
    • Central Assembly  
    • Address: 1301 N Boonville Ave 
  • Wednesday, November 27th at 6pm 
    • Passion Church 
    • Address: 806 N Forest Ave 
  • Thursday, November 28th at 4pm 
    • Springfield Recovery Community Center 
    • Address: 1925 E Bennett St J 

3. Thanksgiving at the Multicultural House 

Thanksgiving meal offered to students who may not have a place to go for the holiday. Open to all students, no RSVP needed.

  • Thursday, November 28th starting at 1pm
  • Address: 1146 East Cherry Street

These are a few of the many organizations that have meals or volunteer events for everyone in the community get involved. Happy Holidays from your friends at the Bear Pantry! We will see you in 2025!

 

Don’t forget to follow us on social media! 

Instagram: @mostatebearpantry & @mostatecce 

TikTok: @bearpantry 

Like us on Facebook: Bear Pantry  

YouTube: @mostatebearpantry  

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/bearpantrymsu