Holiday Giving Starts With Us

As the holidays approach, many families in Louisville are facing the cold with little more than the basics, if not less. At Roots of Purpose, we believe everyone deserves to feel cared for, remembered, and supported—especially during this time of year. That’s why we’re putting together holiday gift bags filled with essentials that bring both warmth and dignity to our neighbors.

Last weekend, we served 30 cups (and this weekend 20+ more) of hot soup, passed out coats, handed out cookies, and met dozens of community members who reminded us why this work matters. Their smiles, their gratitude, and even their simple requests guide our efforts every single day.

And right now, we need your help to keep that momentum—and that love—going.

🎁 What We’re Collecting for Holiday Gift Bags

The community shared their needs with us directly, and we’re committed to honoring those requests. Here’s what will make the biggest impact this holiday season:

    •    Coats, hats, gloves, socks (all sizes welcome, needed, and appreciated)

    •    Food items (snacks, water, non-perishables, cocoa/coffee packets)

    •    Hygiene items (wipes, sanitizer, travel-size essentials)

    •    Candles (critical for those without stable housing)

Every donated item becomes a piece of comfort, a bit of stability, and a reminder that someone cares.

Why Holiday Donations Matter More Than Ever

For many in our community, winter is not just a season—it’s a challenge. The cold months bring hardship, loneliness, and uncertainty. But together, we can change that. Each holiday gift bag we assemble is more than a package—it’s a message:

“You matter. You are not forgotten.”

Your donations help us reach people who are struggling, hurting, or simply trying to make it through each day. With your support, we can deliver warmth, light, safety, and hope exactly where it’s needed most.

How to Help

If you’d like to donate items, volunteer, or learn more, you can reach us here:

📞 502-287-2973 text anytime or call after 4PM

🌐 RootsofPurpose.org

@RootsofPurposeLouisville

Whether it’s a pack of gloves, a can of vegetables, or a whole box of supplies, your generosity makes a direct, immediate difference. Together, we can build a holiday season rooted in purpose, kindness, and community.

Budget Friendly Recipe Drop - Chicken and Rice Soup

Today in downtown Louisville, Roots of Purpose showed up with something simple, comforting, and powerful: a hot bowl of homemade Chicken & Rice Soup—made with ingredients accessible to any family, any kitchen, and even any food pantry.

As the weather gets colder and the needs in our community grow, we believe that nourishment should never be complicated or expensive. That’s why today’s meal wasn’t just for the community—it was intentionally created with the community in mind. Every ingredient in this recipe can be found at a food pantry, in commodity boxes, or purchased for around $5. Yet it makes a generous 6–8 cups of hearty soup, enough to feed 4–6 people, or if you supersize the recipe, 20 like we did today.

This is the recipe we used while serving neighbors downtown today—warm, filling, and made with love.

Why This Soup Matters

Today wasn’t about complex meals or fancy ingredients—it was about dignity, warmth, and connection. As we passed out coats, hot soup, hygiene items, and winter essentials, this recipe served as a reminder that the best things we give don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful.

A warm bowl of soup can be:

    •    A moment of comfort

    •    A reminder that someone cares

    •    A chance to sit, talk, and feel seen

And today, we witnessed just how powerful that can be.

Our Commitment

At Roots of Purpose Louisville, we believe that community care starts with small acts done with great love. Whether it’s passing out hot meals on a cold day or sharing recipes families can recreate at home, our mission remains the same: Reform. Revive. Rectify.

Thank you to every volunteer, supporter, and donor who made today possible. Together, we are nourishing more than bodies—we are nourishing hope.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

As we move into the final weeks of the year, Roots of Purpose is excited to have multiple meaningful volunteer opportunities for anyone looking to spread warmth, compassion, and community support this holiday season. Whether you’re hoping to lend a hand, donate time, or simply be present for those who need it most, we would love to have you join us.

🌡️ Saturday Community Outreach: December 13th — Hot Soup & Winter Essentials

📍 2801 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211 🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMThis Saturday, we’ll be distributing hot soup, coats, and other essential items to our neighbors in need. Volunteers will help with setup, distribution, community engagement, and organizing donations. Your presence can make all the difference as temperatures continue to drop.

🎄 Holiday Prep Event — Candle Making, Cookie Baking & Gift Assembly

📍 8701 Old Shepherdsville Road, Louisville, KY 40219 🕒 Tuesday, December 16th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Join us for a festive, hands-on volunteer night where we’ll be making candles, bagging cookies, writing cards, and assembling holiday gift packages for families and individuals in the community. This is a fun, high-impact event perfect for groups, families, and anyone who loves a little creativity.

🎁 Christmas Eve Distribution — Gifts, Warm Drinks & Community Connection

📍 2801 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211 🕒 December 24th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM On Christmas Eve, we will be set up to distribute our holiday "I Love You's" along with hot soup, cookies, and warm drinks like hot chocolate and coffee. This outreach event is a powerful opportunity to bring joy and comfort directly to our unhoused and underserved neighbors on a day when many feel most forgotten.

Join Us in Making This Season Brighter

Every volunteer—whether you come to one event or all three—helps us bring hope, warmth, and stability to families across Louisville. If you’re ready to make a difference, we’re ready to welcome you.

For questions or to sign up, just reach out—we’d love to have you on the Roots of Purpose team this holiday season and beyond.