A Season for Giving Back

While many of us our making plans to pig out on turkey and fall into tryptophan induced nap shortly after, not everyone will be having kicking of the holiday season with a full table.

There are many living in Pinellas County who aren't able to have a traditional holiday season, but there are ways to help make the holiday a little happier for them.

If you're interested in helping making the holidays better for some of the less fortunate, here are five good ways to get started.

1. Help a Veteran: American Legion Post 252 is seeking cash donations to help buy food for the annual Thanksgiving dinner for patients at the Bay Pines VA Hospital. If you're interested in making a donation, you can stop by and drop it off at their location at 11433 Park Blvd. in Seminole.

2. Give a turkey: The Society St. Vincent de Paul Food and Soup Kitchen at 384 15th St. North in St. Petersburg is looking for turkeys for this year's Thanksgiving. The kitchen serves and delivers food to families in need across Pinellas.

3. Ring a bell: The Salvation Army is looking for people who can stand out in front of stores and help raise money for families in need. The times that are most needed are on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Publix and Wal-Marts of the area. If you're interested in volunteering, contact Gail Stark at Gail_Stark@uss.salvationarmy.org.

4. Be a local Santa: The city of Gulfport is looking for donations for it's Operation Santa 2011. The program collects cash donations, new toys and gift cards for distribution to the less fortunate families in Gulfport. If you'd like more information, please call either Francine Whitten at 893-1042 or Cynthia Hayes at 893-1049.

5. Help out while Grocery Shopping: If you head over to any Sweetbay, you buy a box for $10 that will feed a family of four for one day. It's a simple way to help out while running your errands. Also, give a dollar to the bell ringers so the Salvation Army can help everyone have a great holiday season.