Thanksgiving has always been a bit of a puzzle to me. Here I am, stuffing myself with my grandmother’s famous sweet potato casserole, laughing with cousins I only see once a year, and basking in the warmth of a home that has always been mine. Meanwhile, just miles away, there are families who have lost everything, sitting in sparse apartments, trying to make sense of a new language and a new life. The contrast used to leave me with a quiet, unsettled feeling. How can I genuinely practice gratitude without also practicing generosity? That is when it clicked for me. True thankfulness is not just a feeling you have; it is an action you take. And what better time to act than during a season dedicated to giving thanks?

This realization pushed me to look into how to support refugees, especially during the holidays. The numbers around global displacement are staggering, but numbers do not tell the real story. We are talking about people. People who had to walk away from their homes, their careers, and their communities with just what they could carry. Can you even imagine? I try to, and I know I can not fully grasp it. The journey does not end when they arrive here, either. They are faced with the monumental task of starting over, which is where incredible refugee support organizations come in, offering a lifeline.

One of the most straightforward ways to make a difference is through financial donations. I will be honest, for a long time I wondered if my small contribution would even matter. But then I learned about the drastic federal funding cuts many of these groups face, and I understood that every single dollar truly counts. Groups like Global Refuge and the International Rescue Committee rely on us to provide everything from emergency shelter to legal aid. I have started setting up a small monthly donation. It is not a huge amount, but knowing that it provides predictable support they can count on makes me feel like I am part of a solution. This Thanksgiving, consider extending your table’s abundance by learning how to support refugee families seeking safety and a new beginning.

That predictable funding helps them plan English classes or secure housing for a family, turning our abstract gratitude into something powerfully concrete. But let us be real, sometimes writing a check can feel distant. If you are like me, you crave a more human connection. That is where volunteering comes in. I started by just helping a local family practice their English at a community center. It was awkward at first, let me tell you. But over weeks, we shared stories and laughs. I stopped seeing a “refugee” and started seeing my new friend, a talented painter from Syria who missed the light of his hometown. He was not a category anymore; he was a person. Organizations like Catholic Charities have so many opportunities, from mentoring to simply helping a family navigate the bus system. The gift of your time can be the warmest welcome a new neighbor receives. Speaking of welcome, we can not ignore the power of our voices. Advocacy felt intimidating to me initially. I am not a policy expert! But I have learned that supporting refugee resettlement through advocacy can be as simple as using a pre-written script from an organization like HIAS to call my congressional representative. It takes five minutes.

When multiple people speak up, it shows our leaders that their constituents care about compassionate immigration policies. This kind of support helps create a system that is more welcoming for thousands of people at once. And since it is Thanksgiving, why not look for holiday-specific initiatives? I found a local organization that puts together Thanksgiving food distributions with culturally appropriate items. It is a small but meaningful gesture that says, “We see you, and we want you to feel at home here during this holiday.” These targeted efforts address immediate needs while honoring the spirit of the season. In the end, my Thanksgiving table feels richer now. The gratitude I feel for my own safety and comfort is no longer a passive emotion. It is an active force that compels me to share, to connect, and to advocate. This year, as I pass the mashed potatoes, I will also be thinking of the small but steady ways I can help a family find their own feast, their own safety, and their own place to call home. That feels like the truest Thanksgiving of all.

References

Charity Navigator. (n.d.). Immigration and refugee charities. https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/best-charities/immigration-refugee-charities/

Global Refuge. (2025). 5 ways to help refugees & immigrants in 2025. https://www.globalrefuge.org/news/5-ways-to-help-refugees-immigrants-in-2025/

HIAS. (2025). Seven ways you can take action for immigrants. https://hias.org/news/seven-ways-take-action-immigrants/

Online MSW Programs. (2024). 60 resources for supporting immigrant and refugee communities.

5280 Magazine. (2024). 10 ways you can help feed the community this holiday season.  https://5280.com/ways-you-can-help-feed-the-local-community-thanksgiving/

World Relief. (2025). 7 ways to help refugees. Retrieved from https://worldrelief.org/wwblog-7-ways-to-help-refugees/