Do good Feel good: Six easy ways to give back this holiday season

Here at the shop we're incredibly lucky to be able to spend our days surrounded by light and love in a warm and safe environment. There are so many in our beautiful city who aren't so lucky, and if you're like us you want to find ways to help.

1. Buy a pack of socks and drop them off to your closest homeless shelter
A fresh warm pair of clean socks can make a HUGE difference to someone who is struggling with all the awfulness of living on the streets. This one simple thing can make a big  difference. Clean warm socks are always a top request from shelters. Find a list of shelters in the city, plus what to do to help if you see someone in need on the streets this winter by going to the city's website here

2. Drop off some canned goods to your nearest foodbank or fooddrive
its obvious, but sometimes needs to be restated. There are people who have to make the agonizing choice between paying to keep the heat on and having good nourishing food for their family.

3. Throw a shoebox party.
Organize a night in with your friends, everyone buys $50 of items such as soap, mitts and hat, a warm scarf and you get together to pack them up into a gift box to be given to a women living in dire circumstances. This mid winter gift will light up the hearts of women in darkness. Include a personal note that gives hope and love. Find out more about how to organize a shoebox party here

4. Pack up a new or gently used purse with menstrual products and donate to PeriodPurse, they'll get your donation into the hands of women living on the streets who don't have what most of us consider a basic right. Find out how to donate to Period purse here

5. write and send a holiday note or card to someone you know that may be spending the holidays alone. The holiday season can be tough on everyone, even harder for those who feel isolated and alone. Let someone know they matter with just a simple note in their mail box

6. Make up some mini care bundles and keep them at hand in your car for  when you see someone in need.
As we drive around the city we often sit at traffic lights and have a person in need come up to our window, asking for help. Having a small simple bundle to pass them, perhaps a pair of socks or a warm scarf and a nutritious snack bar for example is a quick and easy way to help give them something to get through these bitter winter nights.