Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" It's easy for me to get caught up in family life from day to day. I mean, being a Mom to three little ones is hard enough, I'm supposed to help OTHERS too? It's too much.

But it really isn't. There are SO many ways you can help out in your area with just a little bit of your time. January 16th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most of us have the day off of work or school. So, why not mirror the inspiration he gave to this great nation by giving back to those around you? Not sure what you can do? Here's five simple ways to really make a difference in your community.



1. Organize a toy drive. After the holidays, your house may be bursting at the seams with the combination of new and old gifts and toys. Decorate a few boxes and donate games and toys you don’t use any more. The same can be done with clothes!

2. With the chilly weather outside, your local soup kitchen may need your help. Volunteer by serving meals to those in need.

3. Gather up your kids and encourage them to bring friends to spend one hour cleaning up the neighborhood. You'll be surprised how much trash is collected and how it can spruce up the community.

4. Find your local retirement home and pay a visit to the senior citizens there. Sometimes all they want is someone to talk to or play a game of cards with.

5. Support this nations military by writing letters to soldiers. Have the kids do the same and gather items for care packages. There are programs you can go through, but to be honest? I've seen someone post on Facebook they wanted a soldier to write to and people responded with over 50 names. Ask someone.


We are thrilled to announce that we are officially a Hormel Foods Extended Blogger. I am committed to do more in our community to help others as is Hormel Foods. They find time each year to dedicate themselves to many different philanthropic efforts. In 2010, Hormel Foods gave $5.7 million in cash and in-kind donations toward efforts in communities where their employees live and efforts that help alleviate hunger.

Donations have been made to countless organizations including United Way of Greater Minnesota, Paul Hall Chicago Boy and Girls Club, and disaster relief funds throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. To learn more, visit http://2010csr.hormelfoods.com/philanthropy/contributing-to-communities/.

Hormel Foods makes many efforts to give to those in need. They currently run a program called “On Our Way to Ending Hunger,” where they collaborate with retailers, nonprofits and the government on hunger relief efforts to nourish the hungry in the United States and abroad.

We, recently, organized Christmas donations to families in need back in Decmeber. What are you doing to give back? Have you heard of Hormel Foods’ programs or any other interesting philanthropic efforts you'd like to share?




Disclosure: This post made possible by Hormel Foods and representing PR agency, who provided product samples. My opinions remain my own and have not been compensated.

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