If you’re Christian, you’ll remember Jesus said, “There is more happiness in giving than receiving.” For myself, “Acts of Service” are part of my love language. I gather a lot of joy from helping others. Unfortunately, this can come with a paradox at times.
Money is usually what people can use most in times of need. So how can you help someone else when you’re strapped for cash yourself?
9 Ways To Be Helpful Without Spending Money
1. Give a Ride
This has countless applications depending on the situation. Older or sick friends could use a ride to the store, an appointment, religious services, or the like. The same applies to a new mom who is struggling to get out of the house with a baby in tow.
Does someone you know need to travel to another area for family reasons? You could make a mini-vacation out of taking them or drop them off on your way elsewhere. When we had flash flooding in our area, those with trucks helped by evacuating friends from their flooded neighborhoods.
2. Offer to Babysit
As any mother can attest sometimes we just need some free childcare. It could be for an important appointment or some quiet time to figure out a stressful situation. Do you know a couple who hasn’t had a date night in a long time? There’s also something to say for much-needed self-care time.
3. Clean
I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated the one. Cleaning is one of those things that I’d rather not do on a good day. So when I was in my early postpartum days, it was the farthest thing from my mind. But like almost everyone, I do my best mentally in a clean tidy environment.
Having family and friends willing to pick up traffic zones, wash dishes, or fold a load of laundry meant so much to me. My father-in-law even detailed my car one afternoon.
4. Emergency BNB
This is one where I’ve had the privilege of being on both ends of the giving and receiving. Sometimes someone needs a place to stay for a night or two. The reasons can vary from a natural disaster to a desire not to travel a long distance late at night. A guest bed, air mattress, or couch can be just what they need to wake up refreshed and ready to face whatever challenge is ahead.
We lost power the night after I gave birth to Baby #4. After 60 hours, a hot shower at a friend’s house was a godsend.
5. Take a Meal
Remember the days of the meal train for new moms and sick friends? This is a courtesy that disappeared in our tech-driven, take-out reliant world. But a good old-fashioned home-cooked meal can go a long way to helping someone out. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A simple meal from pantry staples like noodles and spaghetti sauce will do.
6. Donate Household Essentials
Do you have a stash of backup supplies? If you’ve ever coupon’d, I know you have at least a small stockpile somewhere. Pulling together a box of essentials always fills a need. Think toilet paper, baby wipes, feminine products, soap, and deodorant.
7. Research Local Resources
Sometimes all a person needs is some help in knowing what is available to them. It’s like the adage about teaching a man to fish.
A lot of people don’t know they can qualify for a free car seat or breast pump from WIC. The income thresholds for programs like Texas Healthy Women make many women eligible. Info on subsidies, local programs, and free classes can go a long way in helping others out.
8. Sit and Listen
A trusted confidant, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. These are all ways of saying that being there for someone is enough. In the doula business, we call it “holding the space”. When going through an intense emotional experience, we often don’t need solutions or suggestions. Silent support can be all that’s needed to process and heal.
9. Pray
Depending on what you believe, praying with or for someone can have a huge impact. Philippians 4:6, 7 promises, “In everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers.”
In life, there is much that is out of our hands but with God, there is no such thing. Asking for his help in behalf of someone else is more valuable than anything else you can do.
While we live through the Covid-19 pandemic, some of these are not safe or possible. The last five are still practical options that will be much appreciated.
What is your go to method of offering assistance?