It’s easy to get caught up by your own cares and concerns in the midst of the buzz and hum of the holidays—the number of people on your gift list is overwhelming, social obligations are piling up and you haven’t even decorated your house yet.

But, all things considered, if those are your chief concerns you are quite fortunate. There are countless people, here in our own city and region, who haven’t stomached a decent meal in days or who suffer daily from domestic violence. Luckily, there are dozens of organizations who make it their business to help those folks out and otherwise improve the community.

Listed below are some ways you can pitch in and help those causes. That’s one gift you won’t have to stress about—it’s always in style, it’s impossible to pay “too much” and the receiver is always thankful.

Buffalo City Mission—One of many faith-based organizations locally, the City Mission has been feeding (140,000 free meals each year) and sheltering the poor and destitute of Buffalo for 90 years, as well as offering limited free medical care and rehabilitation services. Pitch in by shopping at one of their thrift stores (in West Seneca and Depew), or by donating your old furniture, blankets and dishes, as well as non-perishable food items and hygiene products (www.buffalocitymission.org, 100 E. Tupper St., 854-8181)

Buffalo ReUse—This local, non-profit deconstruction team could sure use your two cents, or even a few hours of your time on a Saturday. The yearling organization says that volunteers have been critical to “envisioning, building and expanding [their] program here in Buffalo.” True to their word (especially regarding the “envisioning” part), they keep a running list of projects that they’d like to see happen, projects that they hope some clever volunteer will take under her wing and make come true. The short list of potential projects includes: making art installations with pieces created exclusively from reused building materials; having a furniture design contest/furniture design exhibition where the pieces would be designed from reusable building materials in the hopes of creating a product line that they could then train youths to manufacture; starting an architectural design exhibition whose goal would be to introduce reusable materials into designs that could be affordably recreated to enhance community environments—greenhouses, gazebos, park benches, bus shelters, fountains; and finally, establishing an art gallery of reused material art exhibits.

Also, on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, the ReUse warehouse on Northampton is open, selling salvaged fixtures and recycled building materials to the public. It’s also during that time that the organization gets to decompress from its week-long frenzy of tearing apart houses, and, of course, members decompress by working. They pull nails from boards, organize the warehouse and wrap up other loose ends. Pitch in some sweat equity to this good cause, and your efforts will be rewarded as this young, enthusiastic organization continues to mature and better realize its potential. (www.buffaloreuse.org, 298 Northampton St., 885-4131)

Goodwill—Through the sale of donated items, Goodwill has funded job training and other career services for millions of Americans for over 100 years, helping them become successful at work. Last year alone, donations from 62 million people provided for the training of over 930,000 of their underprivileged countrymen. You can help out by bringing your old clothes, furniture, dishes, computer or even a car to one of the five area Goodwill Store locations, or by donating directly (www.goodwill.org)

Haven House—Providing safe, confidential services to victims of domestic violence. Help out with tax-deductible donations of personal care items, baby supplies and children’s activity supplies. (www.childfamilybny.org, 884-6000)

Homeless Folks—One really simple, win-win way to help a homeless person out this holiday season is to give him your empty bottles and cans for deposit. You probably see them everyday, walking their shopping carts down the street (at least in my neighborhood), and sifting through recycling and garbage containers, looking for the nickel nuggets that too many of us throw away. It’s easy enough to save up your bottles and set them out by the curb occasionally. Or, if you want to be really sure they’re getting to the right place, wait until you hear the familiar rattle of a shopping cart and flag him or her down. It makes them happy, and, if you have a small apartment like mine, it helps you keep down some of the clutter.

Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Erie County—“If you can read these words, you have the power to enlighten, to offer dignity, to build confidence, to make dreams come true and to create a reader.” That’s the first line on the Literacy Volunteers’ Web page about becoming a literacy volunteer, a tutor who teaches reading or English as a Second Language. For 42 years, Literacy Volunteers has been training volunteer tutors to pass on their reading and English language skills to undereducated locals and newly landed immigrants. All it takes to teach someone is the ability to read and two hours each week for one-on-one tutoring sessions with your student. So turn off “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Kid Nation” and use those two hours to get out and make a difference in someone’s life by empowering them with the gift of words. (www.literacybuffalo.org, 1313 Main St., Buffalo, 876-8991)

The Mitten Tree—For the entire month of December, the Amherst Museum is collecting new hats, gloves, scarves and mittens to decorate its Mitten Tree (essentially a Christmas tree with clothing draped on it). The winter clothing goes to needy students at Buffalo Public School #45. Your donation grants you free admission to the museum grounds. The Museum is also collecting books for PS 45. Books should be suitable for children in grades K-8. (www.amherstmuseum.org, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd., Amherst, 689-1440)

Toys for Tots—As the name suggests, this group gives toys to children in needy families, who might otherwise not receive any toys or Christmas gifts. You can support this program by attending a benefit show Friday, Dec. 1 at Sikora American Legion Post 1322 in North Tonawanda (admission is $5 or one unwrapped toy), or by dropping a new toy at one of their usual drop-off locations. The organization will also be collecting toys at the Galleria, McKinley and Boulevard Malls this Saturday through Monday, Dec. 15-17. (toysfortots.buffnet.net, 885-6529)