The anticipation of the holidays builds with the bright lights of decorations and the aroma of delicious treats. But what we don’t realize is how lucky we truly are to go home to a kitchen filled with food. The holidays are a wonderful time to reach out and volunteer at the many local shelters and soup kitchens located right here on Long Island.

The Inn is a local shelter found right in Hempstead. What started out as a small soup kitchen has now expanded as an emergency center and long- term housing program. The Inn’s goal is not just to feed these needy people, but to treat them with respect and extend a warm spirit in their troublesome times. The Inn encourages people to collect loose change to add to the Inn’s funds or donate unwrapped toys or clothes for the holidays. Making these small donations will make someone else’s holiday season a little brighter.

The Helping Hand Rescue Mission or HHRM is another one of the many organizations here on Long Island. Located in Huntington, HHRM works to support people with food, clothing and any kind of counseling they may need. Prayer counseling is very important to the people of HHRM. The people of Helping Hand thankfully accept all donations. Why not collect some money and help all the families that are in desperate need.

Soup kitchens and shelters are not the only way you can help. Local churches, businesses and even our own school hold food, toy and clothing drives this time of year. Take a moment out of your day to dig through some old clothes, or go to the store and buy a toy for a child that may not get one Christmas morning. You would be surprised at the number of people that would truly appreciate it.