7 Ways to Serve Others as a Family This Thanksgiving

Many families go without basic necessities, especially during the holidays when other extra expenses come up. Offering our time can help others gain access to healthy meals. Most areas have a local food bank with a variety of opportunities for families to get involved. The times my family has spent volunteering at local food banks became fruitful times and important memories. 

Whether it’s sorting donations, packing meals, or giving out food, each task in the process helps those in need. Doing research to find the food bank can be the first step if you’ve never volunteered there before, and many organizations make it easy to sign up for shifts convenient for your family’s schedule. 

The priority is feeding the hungry with compassion and dignity, but God brings us blessings when we bless others. Serving at a food bank teaches parents and children valuable lessons in compassion, generosity, and thankfulness. Working side by side, united in helping others, strengthens your family’s bond. Jesus takes service to those in need seriously. 

“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat.” - Matthew 25:35

When we meet the physical needs of others, Jesus counts it as if done to him, personally. Jesus manifests himself powerfully when we sacrifice time and margin with others, and this teaches us how our faith must go beyond the four walls of our church. 

This Thanksgiving, volunteer at a food bank and make a lasting impact in your community. 

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Start by identifying people in your church, school, or community who might be blessed by a care package. These might be elderly individuals, families facing different types of hardship, or those away from home during the holidays. Military members serving overseas can be another great choice. An interesting option might be nonbelievers, who would give your family an amazing opportunity to serve and share the Gospel through action.

Once you’ve selected the person or people, brainstorm what would make each package special. Personalize the items to meet their specific needs or interests—non-perishable food items, warm socks, or handwritten notes of encouragement. Add something meaningful, like a small book, to show extra care and thoughtfulness. 

Work together as a family to assemble the packages, making each one a gift of love. Be sure to include suggestions from every child since they often have creative ideas. Then, take time to deliver them personally, if possible, and share kind words or prayers with them. These care packages go beyond meeting physical needs; they offer emotional and spiritual support to others who might feel overlooked or lonely during the holidays.

The Bible encourages us in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. Creating and delivering these packages, your family demonstrates love and generosity, reflecting the heart of Jesus during Thanksgiving.

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One year, my family organized and participated in a time to bless a single mother in our church community, mowing her grass and doing some projects in her yard. Children and adults took a Saturday morning to bless her. While only a few hours, we made a huge impact. 

Many people, especially those with disabilities, single moms, and the elderly may struggle with maintaining their yards. Offering your time and ability to help with raking leaves, trimming bushes, or clearing walkways can make a huge difference for someone not able to do it themselves. Or perhaps they don’t have the money to hire others. This service not only relieves their burden but also reveals tangible care and compassion. 

Getting started takes some intentionality. Begin with people in your church, school, or community organizations. We found an elderly widow another time through the local food bank. Look for opportunities to reach out to those who could benefit from an extra hand. As a family, divide the tasks and work together, modeling teamwork and generosity. As an added benefit, spending time outside while helping others fosters thankfulness and joy. Teaching everyone serving is fulfilling and fun.

Paul also writes in Galatians 5:13, “Serve one another humbly in love.” Doing yard work for neighbors, especially those who find it difficult to manage it on their own, your family can live out God’s love and make an impact during the Thanksgiving season.

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Writing cards of gratitude can serve others by expressing appreciation to people for the blessing they have been to your life. As children and parents come together, think about people who have given much to your family or have personally impacted you in meaningful ways. Let the children choose first, helping them work through people who make them feel loved. These could be teachers, neighbors, friends, or extended family members. Since you’re doing cards, there’s no limit to how many your family can do. 

You could write cards to teachers, neighbors, friends, or extended family members like aunts, uncles, or grandparents, even cousins. Take time to discuss specific ways each one has been a blessing and then write personal thank you cards detailing your gratitude, mentioning specific acts of kindess or support. You don’t need to purchase cards. Use white paper, construction paper, and art supplies to be creative with each card. With these cards, people feel seen and appreciated. 

This activity helps every family member to purposefully develop thankfulness and think of how God has blessed you through others. Delivering these cards personally, if possible, adds an extra touch of care. But people like to get letters in the mail, too, rare in today’s digital world. Scripture encourages us to acknowledge the goodness of God and others through gratitude. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Your thanks to individuals will brighten their day and deepen your relationships. 

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In today’s fast-paced world, people rarely connect with their actual neighbors. We used to have front porches and wave at others and share resources with people on our street. Now we have back decks, and most don’t use the front door anymore. Delivering meals to neighbors this Thanksgiving serves others and builds connections right in your community, especially during the holidays. 

Take time as a family to identify someone in your neighborhood who might appreciate a warm, home-cooked meal. Possibilities include an elderly neighbor, someone going through a tough time, or even a family who have just moved in and may not have friends or family nearby. Again, this takes intentionality. 

Prepare the meal together as a family, involving parents and children in the process, from planning the menu to cooking and packaging the food. When you deliver the meal, take the opportunity to introduce yourselves if you haven’t met. Spend a few moments sharing kind words. Giving home-cooked meals shares your personality and culture, and this opens doors to new relationships and a sense of community often missing in modern neighborhoods. 

When someone asked Jesus about the greatest law, Jesus gave two. First, love God with your everything. Second, connected to the first, 

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:39 

Delivering a meal proves to be a beautiful way to live out this command during a holiday so surrounded by food. 

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Many families struggle to afford a holiday meal, and by donating money toward their food, you can help them celebrate with dignity and choice. Start by reaching out to local food banks, school counselors, or pastors at your church to identify a family in need. These organizations often have a list of families who could benefit from extra support during Thanksgiving. Also, going through an organization can help you donate anonymously. 

If you find several options, include the family in deciding who to help and how much to give. Involving your children in the process helps them understand the importance of generosity and caring for others, widening their perspective to realize many people are less fortunate. As you discuss the decision together, they learn valuable lessons about giving and compassion. Food from charitable organizations or other avenues may not give any variety or choice. The money you provide allows the family to purchase the food they like for Thanksgiving.

The Bible continually encourages us to be generous to those in need. “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Your family can live out this call by sponsoring a family and making a difference in someone’s life this Thanksgiving. 

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When asked about what it means to love our neighbor, Jesus told a story about a Samaritan who took a risk, reached across racial and cultural lines, and got personally involved. This Thanksgiving, your family can invite others into your home to share a meal, an amazing way to extend love and hospitality. 

Many people may find themselves alone over the holidays—whether they have no family nearby, are single, or recently widowed. Our family has done this many times, either for our actual meal or a separate time for friends and neighbors in addition. By welcoming people into your home, you’re not just offering a meal but creating a sense of belonging and inclusion. Acts of hospitality transform someone’s holiday experience, making them feel a part of your family. 

Discuss with parents and children who might need an invitation this Thanksgiving. It could be a neighbor, a friend from church, or a coworker. Once you’ve identified someone, reach out with a welcoming invitation. If they offer to bring dishes or help, let them like you would your own family. From sharing stories, watching a football game, or playing a board game together, including them can create great memories. 

Hebrews 13:2 tells us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Invite others to your Thanksgiving meal and demonstrate the bigger table of Christ’s kingdom in real ways. 

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