10 Easy Ways To Help Friends In Need

The government shutdown is affecting 800,000 families in this country. People who aren't working or who are still working, but not getting paid. There are so many people affected that the chances are pretty good at least of of your friends is among them.

I spent some time brainstorming easy and inexpensive ways you can help out any friends who are caught up in this political bullshit, or really anyone who is experiencing financial hardship (divorce, illness, loss of work, etc.). I was once laid off 2 weeks after my then-fiance and I had purchased our first home. We all go through tough times and kind gestures can really help one feel hopeful and optimistic during dark days.

I do want to start off with a note to know your audience. If it is a good friend, you're probably good. If it's a more casual friend, you might want to reach out to them in advance to offer the gesture. Be graceful and understanding if they decline. You don't know everything going on behind the scenes.

Here are a few things you could offer!

1. Let them know you are going to the grocery store anyway and offer to pick up a few staples like milk, bread, eggs, apples, deli meats/cheese, etc. Save them the trip and help stock their fridge.

2. Take them out to dinner and be very up front that it is YOUR TREAT. Choose something in your budget from pizza or burgers to a steak dinner. A pasta place is a good idea because you are almost guaranteed to have leftovers (2 meals for 1!). This helps them out with high quality, hot meal and also the humanizing experience of eating in a restaurant during a time when they probably won't be treating themselves.

3. Ask them over for dinner at your place! Something you'd enjoy doing anyway and it still offers a stress-free meal plus a morale boost. Make lots and offer to send leftovers home with them (but don't push if they decline).

4. Offer to drop dinner off for one night. You can put together a basket with frozen lasagna, garlic bread, and salad for not much money. There are lots of great frozen pasta or rice entrees that you could round out with sides. Add wine and dessert for bonus goodness. It won't cost you a lot of money, but again - it's another meal they don't have to worry about and it shows that you are thinking of them.

5. GIFT CARDS. Duh. Send a nice "thinking of you" card with some gift cards for gas, groceries, or generic Visa/Mastercard type cards that they can use for bills or any other needs.

6. Include their kids in your activities. Does your kid have a classmate affected? Offer to pick the kid up after school to take to dinner or to the movies. Or if you are headed to an amusement park, zoo, museum, or anything else fun... Ask your friend if their kids would like to join you. Pay for their tickets and food/snacks.

7. Memberships. To the YMCA, to the local community pool, to a children's museum. A season pass or membership to something that can be a convenient and free family activity.

8. Ship them stuff. Whether they are nearby or far away, I'm not sure there is anything easier than logging on and shipping a package. Ask them if there's anything that could help - school supplies, seasonal clothes for the kids, non-perishable food, household items like dish soap or toilet paper, pet food... For sure ask first and don't push if they decline, but it is another quick and easy way to show you're thinking of them and take something off their plate.

9. Network. If your friend might be in the market for a new job, think about if you know anyone who might have a line on something. Do you know someone who works in the same industry or field as your friend? Or maybe a friend of a friend? Or maybe an overlapping industry friend who has contacts? Maybe you just know someone who is really great at reworking/building resumes (I count myself among those with this skill set if any of my friends need help, BTW), or someone who can help manage finances, or an organization that your friend could benefit from. Hooking people up costs nothing and can sometimes net big benefits.

10. Just be there. Acknowledge that they are going through a crappy situation and let them talk about it. Ask them what you can do to help. Tell them you care about them. Engage personally with a card in the mail, a phone call, or a personal text message.

These are just a handful of ideas I generated... I'm sure there are lots of ways to help specific to your friends' situations. I just wanted to (perhaps) inspire some people to check in on their friends, neighbors, or family that might be going through a rough patch.