Serving with Heart: Turning Gratitude into Action Across DFW

by Sarah Hutchison

The season of Thanksgiving is more than turkey and table settings — it’s about gratitude in motion. That’s exactly what our new Volunteer & Mission Guide is all about: taking thankfulness and turning it into service across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Why Serve? Why Now?

There’s no shortage of need — from families facing food insecurity to neighbors battling isolation. But there’s also no shortage of ways to make a difference. Whether you have an hour or a weekend, your time and compassion matter. Gratitude is great, but gratitude in action is transformational.

What’s Inside the Guide

The Volunteer & Mission Guide breaks down practical, local ways to serve right here in DFW — no fluff, just impact.
You’ll find:

Trusted local nonprofits like the North Texas Food Bank, Dallas LIFE, Union Gospel Mission, The Stewpot, and Habitat for Humanity.
Hands-on and family-friendly ideas, from serving meals and running donation drives to helping build homes or joining community cleanups.
Do-from-home options, including virtual fundraisers, writing encouragement cards, or assembling hygiene kits.
A 1-Act Challenge to get everyone involved — because one good deed sparks another.

Start Small, Think Big

Service doesn’t need to be complicated or grand. It starts with a single act — a warm meal, a handwritten note, or an afternoon spent helping someone who needs it. The guide also includes reflection prompts to help you pause and recognize how these moments of giving can reshape not just our community, but our perspective.

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” — Howard Zinn

Be Part of the Movement

We’re challenging everyone in DFW to complete at least one act of service this season — and to share it using #ServingWithHeartDFW. Let’s flood social media with stories of kindness and connection.

Check out the full Volunteer & Mission Guide and discover how to make this season count — for someone else.