Make a meal and deliver it to an elderly (or lonely) neighbor
There are many seniors who are still able to live at home but are not able to get out as much as they’d like.
Or there may be a widow or widower in your neighborhood who has become a bit isolated in their home and doesn’t seem to ever have any visitors.
Have the kids plan a meal, go to the grocery store to pick out ingredients, and help prepare food to take to the neighbor. It can be as simple as a casserole or as elaborate as a complete meal with a salad, bread, and dessert.
You can either deliver it to the neighbor as a surprise when you know they’re home or call ahead and ask if your family can come by for a visit. You can bring the meal over, but also provide some company by enjoying it with them. Make it even more special by bringing a bouquet of flowers.
Your family and the neighbor may enjoy this so much that it becomes a regular occurrence. You may learn about someone that you’ve lived near but never got to know well and make a new friend – and the kids may find a new mentor who loves to spend time with them.
There is perhaps no greater gift than that of our time, and teaching this to our kids early on will have a lasting impact.