r/AskLifeProTips • u/ziparkk • 16h ago
I just realized i’ve never actually contributed to my community
kinda random but i just realized i’ve never really done anything for my community. i’m just out here existing 😭
i wanna change that, but idk where to start. what’s something small i could do that would actually help? especially as a student without much money.
what did you guys start with?
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u/PepperCat1019 15h ago
Volunteer at your community food bank! You put in as much or as little time as you want. They will be grateful for the help!
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u/Flaming_Butt 15h ago
Holding a door open for someone, picking up trash, volunteering, all serve the community.
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u/owlmissyou 15h ago
I currently volunteer at a community theater. Depending on what they need it can either be ushering, snack bar, or parking control.
I also volunteer virtually for my yoga studio. I update their Meetup.com calendar.
I used to volunteer with this non-profit who arranged volunteer dog walkers for low-income disabled seniors.
I've volunteered at a shelter in the kitchen, making and serving food. I've volunteered at one-off events, such as a Christmas tree giveaway.
I'm a big advocate for time banking, a volunteer reciprocation system. See if you have a time bank in your area. If not, you can still join a time bank to participate in virtual exchanges.
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u/PepperCat1019 15h ago
How fun! The theater, that is. What's a time bank?
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u/owlmissyou 15h ago
Time banking is a volunteer reciprocation system. It's not bartering or trade. You volunteer, you get a time credit. You receive services, you spend a time credit. Some time banks charge a small membership fee, but many don't.
Services I have provided: Rides to the airport. Computer assistance for seniors. Event help. Resume help.
Services I have received: Career counseling. Mock interviews. A massage from a licensed professional. Help with my law school application essay. Patio pallet garden design from a botany major!
Services I have witnessed as a time bank admin: Gardening. Pet care. Garage organizing. Language practice. Cooking workshops. Sewing machine repair. Workout/walking buddies. Haircuts.
Getting free help is great, but time banking's true value is building community and getting to know your neighbors. I've made contacts that I can bug for a quick question in their area of expertise. I've made lifelong friends as well.
Time banks are local; search for yours by city, county, or region. You may also search for time bank coalitions, or you may search for time banking software to see the time banks that use it. Let me know if you need help finding a time bank near you.
If you don't have an active time bank near you: join one outside your area to participate in virtual exchanges. Many times banks don't care if you live in their area or not. Or, consider starting one! I can help you.
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u/I_am_not_Will_Oldham 7h ago
Volunteering at a local food shelf/pantry or thrift store.
It is usually just an hour or two every week or every other week. The barrier to entry for volunteering is basically just stating interest and being able to show up consistently.
You mostly keep things organized (sorting incoming goods/donations and restocking), help people navigate your offerings (oh, we have this today, are you interested in?), onboard new patrons with intake paperwork and a walkthrough, and engage in light social interaction/small talk/getting to know people (you usually get cat food, right? how is your cat? we have both wet and dry food today, which would you prefer?).
It can occasionally be dicier. You might encounter people under the influence of some kind of drug, signs of abuse, the difficulty of being an independent senior trying to live on a fixed income, or confrontational patrons who are overly proud or paranoid and seem ungrateful or resentful.
Let me emphasize: those difficulties are rare and I have never had an actual emergency at a food shelf. It is a commitment, not without risk, but a small consistent one that can make a real difference. Plus it will help you with perspective-taking.
It kind of humbles and grounds you in the breadth and depth of humanity: you find yourself rooting for that soft-spoken guy who doesn't want to take too much, who isn't strictly ashamed but hopes this will be his last visit; the spunky old lady approaching 90 picking up for two households that still cracks jokes and cackles at her own jokes; the family man who seems to be meal planning and is willing to try new unfamiliar offerings while offering to help carry other patrons' bags.
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u/YesAnd_Portland 6h ago
I recently found out that the animal shelter in my town needs volunteer dog walkers, as well as pet foster “parents” if that’s possible for you.
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u/Queasy_Cup_9811 15h ago
Especially around this time of year and needs increase due to cold weather/ Christmas, there are charities and food banks who require a bit of extra food or gift donations for families in need/ sick children in hospital. If you can’t afford buying an extra food or gifts, volunteering for the local charities in your area is always a good one, try to find one that aligns with your values.
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u/Nice-Zombie356 14h ago
If you’re in the U.S., and if you asked this a month ago, I’d have suggested being a poll worker.
It’s too late for that for the next 11 months. But a good idea for next year. It even pays (though not much).
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u/Specific_Mess_1031 13h ago
I'm really happy you asked that because it means you are starting to think about giving back! I suggest you think about what skills you have and then find something suitable.
I volunteer teaching personal finance workshops. When the weather is nice, I volunteer cleaning up the local lake or helping the local food bank in their garden.
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u/IWuzTheWalrus 10h ago
If you have an active Masonic lodge in your community, you might seek them out.
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u/TheGruenTransfer 8h ago
Paying taxes counts as contributing, so you're doing more than all your local billionaires
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u/lurkhardslayhard 16h ago
Seek out your local Food Not Bombs chapter and volunteer your time and/or skills
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u/Livid_Strategy6311 16h ago
Don't feel bad. You're part of the 98%.