12 Ways to Give Back in NWA on Giving Tuesday

Looking for ways to get involved this holiday season?

12 easy ways to make an impact in NWA (and spread holiday cheer while you're at it)

1. Goodwill AR

Goodwill AR is seeking donations to help bolster job training programs that will allow fellow Arkansans to overcome employment barriers. This could include earning a high school diploma, obtaining trade certification and training, or undergoing reentry services for those with a criminal record.

Last year, Goodwill AR provided services to over 13,000 Arkansans and helped more than 6,800 obtain employment across the state. And they couldn't have done it without the support of local communities.

You can't put a number on the value of an education and a second chance. If you'd like to learn more about Goodwill AR's available programs, go here for details.

2. NWA Center for Sexual Assault

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention our own mission here at the center: to provide a safe haven of healing and hope for adult survivors of sexual violence or harassment, and their loved ones, while tirelessly working toward a safer future for all through education and awareness.

Last year, our small but mighty team handled 845 crisis hotline calls, 1,270 individual counseling sessions, and 116 forensic assault exams—services which are offered for free to the public—and we couldn't have done it without the generosity of our local community.

Did you know the average cost of one forensic assault exam is $881.84? Every dollar makes a huge difference in survivors' lives. And not only do these funds support and empower local survivors, they enable us to work every day at holding perpetrators accountable and putting an end to the cycle of violence.

If you'd like to help fund our services, we invite you to become a Survivor Ally by making a recurring donation.

3. Arkansas Immigrant Defense

Arkansas Immigrant Defense (AID) is in need of 30 people to sign up for their AID Amigo monthly giving program.

For just $10 a month, you can become an AID Amigo and provide local immigrants with resources to help protect them against deportation, unlawful labor practices, trafficking, abuse, neglect, and more.

Money raised goes toward one of the following initiatives:

• Keeping Families Together: provides 3 different immigration relief avenues for AID clients to support themselves and their families without the fear of their lives being disrupted by deportation
• Protecting Immigrant and Refugee Children: provides legal protection against children being forced into hard labor, sex trafficking, parental abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect
• Empowering Survivors of Violence and Abuse: provides legal services to AID immigrant survivors of violence that will assist clients in breaking free of abusive cycles and allow for a chance at peace

4. Crystal Bridges

Crystal Bridges serves as a fundamental pillar within the Northwest Arkansas community, and its sphere of social impact is no small feat. Though the museum doesn't raise funds in a traditional sense, what it does offer is access to a world-class suite of educational and cultural resources to all.

From Winter Break Wonders to Drop-in Artmaking, there are a number of family-friendly events that Crystal Bridges puts on completely free to the public, in addition to its offerings of educational lectures, seasonal exhibits, distinguished speaker events, and more.

A visit to Crystal Bridges is one of the most enjoyable ways to stay on top of the different histories and works of people hailing from diverse cross-sections of the world.

Part of being the change is building awareness for it, and Crystal Bridges offers plenty of opportunities to do just that.

5. Kendra Scott at the Promenade

This November 30 and December 1, patrons can come in-store to Kendra Scott's Promenade location, and 20% of the sales proceeds will be given to Bellview Elementary in Rogers. Just mention the cause at checkout.

Supporters can also shop online and enter code: GIVEBACK-ANPJW, and Kendra Scott will donate 20% of the proceeds to Bellview Elementary.

It's a 2-for-1. Get some holiday shopping done AND give back to a great cause that directly benefits children in Rogers!

6. Fayetteville Public Library

A gift to your Fayetteville Public Library ensures that everyone in the community will have barrier-free access to a wide range of resources and programs, including weekly story times, workforce development programs, private study rooms, a growing collection of multilingual materials, and so much more! 

FPL's vision is to continue to be powerfully relevant and completely accessible to its 77,000 patrons, and with your help, FPL can continue working to advance its mission of fostering learning, inspiring imagination, and improving the futures of everyone in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

And the best part? All that's required is a library card to access these resources. If you'd like to support FPL and their vision, they invite you to do so here.

7. NWA Food Bank

The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is in need of specific non-perishable food items to help feed those in need, and no donation is too small to help provide meals for those who need it most during the colder months.

Some in-demand food items include:

• canned tuna and chicken
• canned vegetables (no salt)
• canned fruit in light syrup
• whole grain cereal
• dried beans
• oatmeal
• pancake mix
• paper goods
• whole grain spaghetti
• canned spaghetti sauce (low sodium)
• peanut butter
• brown and white rice
• corn flour
• whole wheat flour

Please email food.drive@nwafoodbank.org or visit this page for additional ways to help.

Airship, Red Kite, Onyx, Hail Fellow Well Met, 7 Brew—your options on where to sip hot drinks in Northwest Arkansas are endless. What's more is that queuing up at a local coffee spot is one of the most popular ways to pay it forward during the season of giving. In fact, you've probably experienced or observed it in action before.

What it usually looks like is that you're sitting in the drive-through line after placing your order when you finally pull up to the payment window. You go to pay only to find out that the car in front of you has already paid your order in full! In turn, you can do the same for the person behind you.

Now, not all local coffee shops have drive-throughs, but you can still pay it forward as you stand in line. Put on a smile and chat up the person behind you. When it's your turn to order, let the barista know you'd like to pay for the order behind you in the spirit of Giving Tuesday. It's a simple way to spread generosity and make someone feel special.

9. NWA Equality

NWA Equality serves as an education, advocacy, resource, and service organization to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) citizens of Benton and Washington Counties.

In addition to being recognized as the regional voice for equality and inclusion, they provide free HIV testing services, a variety of support groups, and social and community outreach events, including the Season of Dickson Divas drag events.

This season, you can help support their Get Checked campaign, which provides free HIV and STD testing services to those who need it. A $25 donation fully funds the cost of one test kit, supplies, and related facilitator expenses.

10. USPS, Waste Management, Door Dash

The impact of a global pandemic has been especially challenging for workers whose jobs are closely in tune with the supply chain. The boom in online shopping, grocery, and food delivery means delivery drivers and other critical service workers face increasing consumer demands, and this is especially true as we enter the holidays.

If you'd like to show your appreciation to your local USPS (or UPS/ FedEx) driver, your Uber Eats or Door Dash deliverer, or the Waste Management workers who come around every week to haul away trash and recyclables, leaving these workers a thank you card or small gift is a really thoughtful way to surprise and delight them.

11. Pearl's Books, Once Upon a Time Books

Barnes and Noble works, too. Speak to your local library to find out what their needs are or what material is in demand. You could purchase books from a local shop, then donate them for public use.

Another idea is to write a couple of anonymous letters or notes for a complete stranger to find. In the letter, share something encouraging that will make them smile and feel seen. The next time you're out shopping for books, slip one of your handwritten notes into a book to serve as a surprise for the person who ends up purchasing that book later. You might even slip in a gift card for a coffee.

Book donations and anonymous notes are fun ways to create impact locally.

12. The homeless

Sadly, Northwest Arkansas has seen an increase in the homeless population in recent years. You'll often find people in need standing just off a busy interstate exit or at a stoplight adjacent to your nearest supercenter.

Local nonprofits such as New Beginnings work every day to provide the homeless with housing solutions and services that will give them stability and the opportunity to safely transition back into society. Donating money or volunteering your time at these organizations is one great way to help.

Another idea is to prepare little care bags to have on-hand in your car the next time you come across someone in need. In these bags you could keep toothbrushes and toothpaste, travel-size deodorant or soap, bottled water, snacks, socks and gloves, the contact information for a nearby shelter or soup kitchen... anything to help them stay warm and find help during the winter months.

You might even consider having dog food or treats on-hand. Many times, the homeless carry the burden of caring for a beloved canine companion, too.

And there you have it. Twelve wonderful ways to give back and take part in spreading radical generosity throughout Northwest Arkansas. Did any of these ideas resonate with you?

Comment and let us know what ideas you have for Giving Tuesday, or what you plan on doing to celebrate the occasion. We'd love to share your ideas on social!

And if you have some extra time, we'd be delighted if you shared this list to hopefully inspire others to take action and do more good in NWA. Happy giving!