Five Ways to Help Others in the New Year

Dec. 31, 2008 — -- One way to start off the new year on a positive note is to help people in need by donating food, clothing and other necessities or volunteering your time for a worthwhile cause.

Food pantries and other charities across the country report that donations are down and demand is increasing, so now is the perfect time to give back.

Below are some specific ways to help five good causes.

One of the best ways to donate is to go through your cupboards and give to food pantries. The eight best foods to donate are canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna, peanut butter, beans, canned soup, dry cereal and oatmeal, tomato sauce and powdered milk. You can find a food pantry near you at Feeding America.

Homeless shelters are in need of basic personal care products, like shampoo, soap and razors. Little soap and shampoo from hotels are great to donate. Groups collect and put together packages of toiletries and give them out to homeless people.

The Joyful Heart Foundation says it needs women's sweatsuits for rape crisis centers because women's clothes are often kept for evidence.

You can also donate your old cell phones, which can be programmed with contacts in case of an emergency.

The group also gets requests from child abuse centers across the country for new stuffed animals, movies, board games and other toys for kids.

Lighthouse, the largest organization in the country serving the blind and visually impaired, offers a number of volunteer opportunities, such as helping a blind person with everyday activities like reading mail, running errands or exercising. Go to www.lighthouse.org to find a group near you.

Contact a local nursing home or senior center and volunteer to shop for the seniors or give them rides to appointments or errands. Ask if you can bring in your pet for a visit. Research shows that animals help mood and the healing process.