8 Simple Ways To Make A Difference Today For National #GivingTuesday

How great would it feel to help out a kid and their family by anonymously paying off a past due lunch balance? You can do it! Simply mail a check of whatever amount you want.

LPSS Office of Child Nutrition
P.O. Box Drawer 2158
Lafayette, La 70502-2158

Include a note with your check that says something like "Please apply this amount to the lunch account of any LPSS student who would benefit from it. Happy Holidays".

You can also call 337-521-7375 for more information or direction.

Another simple way to make someone's day. Just put money into a vending machine, but don't choose anything.

This idea is an oldie but a goodie. If you're in line in a drive-thru, just ask to pay for the person behind. It can be fast food, a car wash, dry cleaning or anything really.

Again, not a new idea, but what a way to completely blow someone's mind with kindness. Just go to Walmart, Target or any store that has lay-away and tell them you want to take care of someone's Christmas lay-away bill. Even if you can't pay the whole thing, you could pay off as much as you can afford.

There is always a need for blood donations, especially around the holidays. We all get busy with the holidays, and as a result blood supplies dwindle. Today is a great time to make that happen and give the gift of life.

This one is the simplest thing you can do for #GivingTuesday. It doesn't cost a dime. Tell someone in your life just how much you care about them, and how thankful you are to have them in your life.

Just visit any Acadiana Associated Food Store and look for the prepackaged red Coca-Cola bags near the registers. They're filled with groceries and only cost $10. Buy one of the red bags and that food will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank to feed families in need right here in our community.

There are way too many babies at St. Jude, many from right here in South Louisiana, that desperately need our help in the fight against childhood cancer. By making a donation to St. Jude, you can help the Doctors keep finding cures until no child dies from childhood cancer. Head over to Stjude.org to see all of the ways you can help.