Want to give back?

The St. Charles Herald-Guide found plenty of reasons for the season

Being thankful can also mean feeling fortunate enough to be able to give.

The St. Charles Herald-Guide is offering some suggestions on efforts that help others, not only during the holidays, but also year round.

May we all be so fortunate as to be able to give so everyone has something to be thankful for, too.

Happy Thanksgiving, St. Charles Parish!

To help cancer patients, donate gift cards for gas and/or food to the Cancer Association of Great New Orleans (CAGNO) that helps patients in St. Charles Parish. To give, contact CAGNO Executive Director Tammy Swindle at (504) 733-5539 or at 824 Elmwood Park Blvd Suite 154, New Orleans, LA 70123

Help make Christmas possible for the needy by donating items to St. Charles Social Concerns in Luling. To donate, bring items to Social Concerns at 1601 Paul Maillard Road in Luling or call Sue Candies at 785-1229. Toys are collected year round and made available during the holidays.

Adopt a family with special needs by contacting the St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services. It’s confidential so donors do not meet the families, but they are advised on ages of the children and if they’re boys or girls. Want to help? Call Jessica Abshire, at (985) 764-7944. They also accept donations for the Food Drive, which replenishes supplies for Christmas or a crisis.

St. Charles Borromeo Church’s SCB Ministry of Care accepts cash donations that help people twice a week with food and utilities. Call the parish office at (985) 764-3948.

Donate to Toys for Tots – toys, bikes and gift cards at collection boxes until Dec. 9. Locations include St. Charles Parish Planning & Zoning, 14996 River Road, Hahnville; St. Charles Parish Recreational Department, 131 Manor Road, Luling; Edward Dufresne Community Center, 247 Judge Dufresne Parking, Luling; Dollar General location in St. Rose, Paradis and Luling; St. Rose Community Center, 608 Mockingbird Lane, St. Rose; Killona Communiy Center, 201 Highway 3141, Killona; Boutte Community Outreach, 119 Magnolia Ridge, Boutte; St. Rose Fire Station 123 St. Rose Ave., St. Rose; and Anytime Fitness, 1955 Ormond Blvd., Suite F, Destrehan. For more information, call Devona Lherisse at (504) 621-2493.

Donate personal hygiene and cleaning products for the Christmas bags for families in December with Matthew 25:35 Ministries. The items requested include shampoo and conditioner, body soap, hand soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouth wash, wash cloths towels, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, and cleaning items: dish soap, all purpose cleaners, sponges, kitchen towels and dish rags, and laundry detergent. Donations can be made at Matthew 25:35 Ministries’ Food Pantry 9 a.m. to noon Monday or Wednesday at the Fellowship Hall at St. Charles United Methodist Church, 1905 Ormond Blvd. To donate personal items, they can also be brought to St. Charles United Methodist Church 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday.