Giving back can brighten your mood and create an opportunity to meet your community. This movement of generosity can come in many forms, from donating clothing or household items, volunteering at your local animal shelter, or even smiling at someone who needs it. When we give to others, the hormone oxytocin is released, evoking feelings of warmth, trust, and empathy.
Statistics Canada’s Income Survey reported that 5.8 million Canadians lived in food-insecure households in 2021. As of March 2022, Food Banks Canada reported 1,462,795 visits, up 15% from the previous year. 1 in 9 food bank visitors receives pension income. While seniors only represent 8.9% of foodbank users, the rate of increase among this group far outpaces other age groups.
Seasons Retirement Communities designates a portion of community relations budgets to support events and programs in the cities and towns where they operate retirement homes. Since 2016, Seasons has donated more than $220,000 in funds and food to local food banks. Every July, they focus their corporate giving efforts on the fight against Canadian food insecurity. Each of their 21 retirement homes holds a One Can Challenge, with all donations of non-perishable nutrition items going to their local food bank. Residents and team members compete to see which Seasons home can collect the most cans.
For 2023, the targeted goal is 7,000 cans across the company. In addition to the can collection, Seasons will donate $42,000 across all their homes to each food bank partner. Seasons hopes donating to each local food bank will help those in need in their communities, building a solid relationship with the local organization.
Here are five reasons why generosity is so good for us:
1) Giving makes us feel happy
Good feelings are baked into our biology; when people give, it activates areas of the brain associated with pleasure and positivity, creating a warming effect.
2) Giving is good for our health
Reports show that giving to others has improved people’s health, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses, improving physical health and longevity, and reducing stress. One study on seniors found that those who provided practical help or emotional support to spouses, relatives, or neighbours had a much higher rate of increasing their life span.
3) Giving supports social connection
When you give to others, your generosity will likely be reciprocated at some point, sometimes to the person you gave to or someone else. What’s more, it makes us feel a closer connection to humanity.
4) Giving evokes gratitude
Giving can be a way of expressing or instilling, whether you are on the giving or receiving end. Gratitude is essential to happiness, health, and social bonds. Cultivating this in everyday life is one of the keys to increasing personal satisfaction.
5) Giving is contagious
Giving to others can create a ripple effect and encourage others to do the same, consequently increasing generosity in our community. One study showed that observers of charity encouraged them to be generous later toward different people and those they may not even meet.
Giving through programs such as Seasons One Can Challenge supports stronger social connections and encourages its residents and team members to give more throughout their community. The biggest bonus they may benefit from is a massive dose of happiness. Seasons resident Alice says, “I have been volunteering with Seasons for over seven years. It allows me to get together with a good group of people while helping others. I can also keep busy and stay active.”
If you want additional information about corporate giving at Seasons, please click the Locations tab on our website and contact one of our Fun Managers.