Do you have college students in your community? Work with your parish to provide care packages for their final exams. Buy bakery boxes (or ask a local supermarket to donate them) and ask members of the parish — including young adults not in school — to fill them with nonperishable items (e.g. granola bars, energy drinks, tea bags, individual coffee packets, popcorn, candy, etc.) to keep students nourished for their studies. The most important item to include is a handwritten note of support and encouragement. One person who made one of these littered it with Post-It notes with encouraging phrases like “You can do it!” Also, add an invitation to upcoming Advent and Christmas activities at your parish to each one.
