In the spirit of National Giving Month, Arizonians are rolling up their sleeves and making a difference where it counts—right in local communities. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has once again demonstrated what it means to give back, with volunteers gathering early this month at St. Mary’s Food Bank to tough it out for a good cause.

Last Tuesday saw these good Samaritans hard at work, tightly packed in amongst cardboard and canned goods. Together, and not without a fair share of sweat equity, they put together an impressive 1,170 emergency food boxes—a lifeline during the holidays for families across Arizona. "These efforts will help to feed Arizona families which can make a significant difference during the holiday season," the ADHS blog reported.

But it's not just about the boxes or the food within them. National Giving Month is an ethos, a call to action that extends well beyond tangible donations. It's an invitation to donate resources, but also time and labor—whether that's at a soup kitchen or a seniors center. It’s the little things, like providing a meal, donating clothing, or any other act of generosity that could lighten someone’s load.

Research, as cited by the ADHS blog, shows that one dishing out acts of kindness reaps health benefits too—it's a stress buster, a mood enhancer, and an overall well-being kicker. "Helping others can also foster a sense of purpose and connection, which are key to maintaining mental and emotional health," the blog notes.