'Tis the season of giving! Although you should always try to give back year-round, this is the time of the year that is hardest for many families. So, get in the spirit with these ways of giving back.

Gift a donation

Still trying to decide what to get one of your friends or family members for Christmas? Instead of spending money on something they may not need or want, why not do something nice on their behalf? Find a charity important to them, or even better, get a gift card to an organization like Charity On Top or tisbest, where they can choose where the money goes.

Donate supplies to a local animal shelter

Animal shelters are always in need of food and supplies. Ask what they may need help with; plus, you can play with some sweet pups and cats! And, of course, a great way to help out is #AdoptDontShop at your local humane society or through ASPCA.

Volunteer at a local food bank

Did you know that not only can you volunteer in person but virtually? Through Feeding America, you can write thank you notes to food bank staff and volunteers, become an advocate for anti-hunger policy and legislation, and, of course, donate online. You can also start an online fundraiser or add Feeding America as your charity of choice on Amazon Smile or eBay. Find your local food bank for more volunteer opportunities virtually or in person.

Buy gifts for children whose families cannot

There are so many programs that help give to a child in need:

• USPS Operation Santa lets you read through letters kids and families wrote to Santa, which you can then adopt a letter to help make a child's day a little brighter this holiday season
• One Simple Wish grants wishes for children in the foster system
• Toys for Tots provides gifts for less fortunate children
• Make a Wish Foundation helps children diagnosed with critical illnesses

If you're a Jacksonville resident, here are a few local charities and organizations you can help out this season:

• Jacksonville Humane Society
• Clara White Mission
• Ronald McDonald House
• Sulzbacher Center
• Wolfson Children's Hospital

At Medcom Benefit Solutions, we try to help our local community as much as possible. We've partnered with the Salvation Army this holiday season in their Angel Tree Program, which helps provide Christmas gifts to underprivileged children, and we were able to collect several bags of sweaters and blankets for our local Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive that took place last month. We hope to continue finding ways to give back more and more to our local community as we grow. Happy giving!