30-Minute Social Purpose Activities

Make a Difference in 30 Minutes or Less

If you are short on time but interested in creating a positive impact to your community, here are just a few ways you can do that:

1. Pick up litter

This is one of the easiest ways to positively impact your community or neighborhood. Grab some trash bags and a pair of gloves and head out in your neighborhood, office complex or to a nearby park and start picking!

Trash cleanups are great activities for families, or to coordinate with friends or co-workers.  Check out our CleanUp Event Toolkit for more ideas!

2. Cut your neighbor’s grass

Next time you have the lawn mower out, see if any of your neighbors could use help with their lawn. Taking a few minutes to cut a neighbor’s grass is a thoughtful gesture and helps keep your block looking good.

3. Send a card to a sick child, deployed military member or senior citizen

This is an activity that takes only a few minutes, and goes a long way to brighten someone’s day. Keep your message light and uplifting, and write how you speak – be yourself! Feel free to enlist your kids to lend their artistic skills and send happy drawings. Just remember, no glitter or glued on pieces.

Contact an assisted living facility to see if they are accepting notes and cards for their residents. 

For more ideas, check out our Card Campaign Toolkit!

4. Create a gift bag for a needy child

Next time you’re at a discount store, take a detour through the toy section and select an assortment of toys, crayons and stickers, and purchase a bright bag to put them in. On your way home, drop the bag off at a nearby homeless shelter, where it can be gifted to a child in residence.

5. Create a homeless care kit

Gather items suitable for a homeless care kit. Begin with a gallon zipper plastic bag and fill it with essentials including bottled water, socks, nail clippers, tuna cracker pack, small wet wipes and large bandages. You might also consider adding a thoughtful note of encouragement and a printout of local resources.  Our Homeless Care Kit has lots of good ideas.

 Homeless Care kit

6. Start a donation box

Spend a few minutes in your closet and gather clothing, shoes or accessories you haven’t worn in over a year. Drop items off at your local homeless shelter. If you are interested in hosting a Donation Drive for your office, we have a Toolkit with ideas to get you started.

7. Give blood

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. You can provide a life-changing donation in less than 30 minutes! Find a donation location near you.

There are so many ways to make a difference for others, without taking on a huge time commitment for yourself. However you choose to #FirstServeOthers, please be sure to use our hashtag in your social media posts, and feel free to share your story with us!