Making Room for Giving Back

More than 60% of parents who donate to charitable causes talk to their kids about giving – and actively engage them in charitable giving or volunteering, too, according to Fidelity Charitable. 

Jessica, a long-time Interfaith Outreach supporter and former board member, remembers taking her young children Will and Kate – then around ages 5 and 3 – to IOCP’s food shelf on Saturdays to pack food for local senior citizens. Twelve years later, Jessica, her husband Jason, and their kids have taken on many other activities and endeavors – but the family continues to support Interfaith in various ways. 

Their dedication isn’t necessarily common, however: More than half of Americans cite a lack of free time as the main reason they don’t volunteer in their community. 

We chatted with Jessica and Kate about how and why they fit giving back into a schedule that includes work, school, theater, hockey, dirt biking, mountain biking, and more. 

“The more I’ve been involved with IOCP, and the longer I’ve lived here, I realize we are really blessed to be in an affluent community. But there’s still a lot of need,” Jessica shares. “I was just looking for something with more of a purpose than work and sports.” 

Kate, who has most recently been involved with IOCP by leading food drives at school, has similar motivations. “I like the feeling of being able to help contribute to getting people back on their feet,” she explains. 

Weeknight dinners as a family are considered a major victory in their bustling household. Still, Jessica says that being busy and staying involved in the community is a regular part of their lives: “It’s just part of what we do, what I do.”  

Jessica shares that, as a parent, she wants her children to be self-aware of the opportunities they’ve been given in life and to consider how they can help others be a part of it, too. 

For other active families that may be hesitant to add philanthropy or community involvement to their already-full plates, Jessica and Kate have advice. 

“If you make the decision that you want to give back, figure out something that you’re passionate about,” Jessica says, acknowledging that for the more involved roles she’s taken on, you have to put your heart into what you’re also putting time into. “At the end of the day, the IOCP mission is what I support and believe in, and it’s in my community,” she shares. 

The mother-daughter duo also reminds families that they don’t have to “go all in.” Simple actions like reading an organization’s newsletter, becoming a monthly donor, or participating in group events like fun runs or trash pick-ups might work best for a household’s schedule or lifestyle.  

“If you want to help, you’ve gotta just make room for it,” Kate says. 

Thank you to Jessica, her family, and the many other busy households who make room in their lives and their hearts for IOCP and our community.