1. Host a free bike "fix-it" clinic to tighten breakes, align gears, grease bearings and fill tires.

2. Offer a range of two- to six-week classes on subjects such as finances, parenting or tow-tos like cooking or home improvement.

3. Provide free school supplies in donated backpacks with color-coded stickers for each grade level and host a block party where kids can pick them up.

4. Take cookies to local schools during parent-teacher conferences. Offer volunteers to listen to children read. Provide clothes to the school nurse to distribute to needy kids.

5. Videotape school functions like a play or a sports award ceremony and give copies to the appropriate teachers or coaches with a thank-you card for all their hard work.

6. Initiate a program to provide a backpack of food that impoverished children can discreetly carry home from school on Fridays to help their families get through the weekend.

Have you tried this idea or something similar? What was your experience?