While you’re thinking about finding a buyer for your local home, or looking for what a particular Cincinnati neighborhood can do for you as a buyer, take a moment to think of what you may have the opportunity to do for others in the city this time of year.

Looking for ways to reduce holiday and/or realty stresses? Think about helping out those in need this holiday season, or simply take the time to find out what local organizations are doing for Tri-state residents.

The Freestore/Foodbank is very busy this time of year. They will provide food boxes for approximately 16,000 families in need this holiday season. With current economic difficulties, the Freestore is expecting record need this year. Their “Hunger is Unacceptable” Campaign kicked off on November 13.

The Freestore/Foodbank will be distributing holiday boxes from November 24-26 and December 22-24. They will have dozens of volunteers working over this time. If you have interest in volunteering for the Freestore, you can always contact them.  However, keep in mind that everyone wants to volunteer around the holidays. The best thing you can do this time of year is donate and encourage others to do so, and the best time to volunteer is during the colder months after the holidays have passed. They use volunteers in many capacities all year long.

Look for Freestore bins at local stores like Meijer, or look for other organizations” bins. St. Vincent DePaul collects all over the city as well.

The Freestore also has a virtual food drive on their website!  You can pick specific items and pay for them with a credit card.

If you visit the Cambell’s website, you can participate in the Click for Cans food drive. Voting for the Bengals once a day can help the city toward winning 5,000 cans of Campbells products. (Every participating city receives 1,000 cans from Campbells.) Thanks, Campbells!

It’s important to remember others during this and all times of the year. Cincinnati has a charitable spirit, and if you are thinking of moving into the city or a new neighborhood, think about how you can become involved in its positive future. We hope to feature more info from time to time on how to give back. In fact, a favorite cause of mine is “AmyBSells Giving Back,” with which I help local school kids! It’s such a rewarding feeling to help others in your neighborhood.

View a video about holiday operations at the Freestore.

Related...

• January 17, 2010 -- Local Event Raises Money for Haiti
• November 16, 2009 -- Giving Thanks by Helping Local Families
• June 24, 2009 -- Hotdogs give a Helping Hand
• May 26, 2009 -- Hotdogs for Pencils – Oakley Afterhours Charity