ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Giving Tuesday was created 12 years ago, a movement meant to engage communities in giving back falls on December 3rd this year, and here in the Valley, there are many non-profits you can donate to.
Salem’s’ Feeding Southwest helps to nourish our neighbors throughout southwest Virginia. With rising grocery costs, and the holiday season approaching, the organization wants to make sure everyone has a holiday meal to share.
“All of our neighbors are so incredibly grateful, they come to us all the time and say ‘thank you so much, it’s needed right now.’ whether it’s needed for a long time or needed for a moment, they need it. So we’re here, we’re helping,” said Emma Guarino, the marketing and communications director for Feeding Southwest.
Feeding Southwest says that 95% of donations go towards food for the community, and they say that’s a number they’re proud of.
Now our furry friends could use some help as well this giving season. The Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is one of three wildlife veterinary hospitals in the state that can treat threatened and endangered species. With over 200 hundred different species in their care at any given time, the center says it could take thousands of dollars a day to keep up with the demand.
“What we do is for the community, for the environment, it’s taking care of wildlife which is very essential, one world one health. Because they’re out there, they do their part for us,” said Sabrina Garvin, the President of the wildlife center, “Our patients can’t pay so we have to not only buy their food, fix their food, we have to feed them, and then we have to give them their medical, so we’re a hospital plus because none of our patients can take care of themselves.”
The center is always in need of new medical supplies and cage repairs, and, some of the animals the center takes care of can no longer survive in the wild due to their injuries.
Money isn’t the only thing these organizations are looking for, volunteering your time is also just as important.
You can donate to Feeding Southwest at their website here.
You can donate to the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke on their website here.