Pastor Dino Rizzo’s Advice for Reaching the Community Through Holiday Outreach

The holiday season brings moments of celebration, but it can also place added strain on local communities. Financial pressure, isolation, and unmet needs often become more visible at this time of year. For Dino Rizzo, founder of Servolution and Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches (ARC), the holidays offer a meaningful opportunity for individuals and churches to serve their communities in practical ways.

Through Servolution, a movement built around simple, everyday acts of kindness, Rizzo has long encouraged people to view service as a consistent way of life, rather than a special event. That approach becomes especially relevant during the holiday season, when opportunities to care for others are often right in front of us.

Start With Simple, Practical Service

Servolution emphasizes that serving your community does not require large-scale programs or complex plans. Small, thoughtful actions can make a meaningful difference when they are rooted in care and consistency.

This might include helping a neighbor with errands, supporting a local food pantry, or partnering with a school or nonprofit during a busy season. According to Rizzo, simplicity allows service to be accessible to anyone willing to step in. “You don’t need to do everything,” Rizzo says. “Just look for one need you can meet and start there.”

Serve in Everyday Life

A central theme of Servolution is that service is meant to happen in everyday moments. Rather than waiting for a formal opportunity, people are encouraged to respond to needs as they arise within their local communities.

The holidays naturally bring people together at schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and community organizations. Serving in those familiar spaces allows care to feel personal and relational, not transactional. When people show up consistently, trust grows and connections deepen.

Serve Together as a Community

Serving alongside others can strengthen both the impact and the experience. Families, small groups, and churches can work together to support their communities through holiday meal distributions, gift drives, or service projects that meet practical needs.

Shared service creates a sense of unity and reminds people that generosity is not meant to be carried alone. These collective efforts often leave a lasting impression on both those who serve and those being served.

Use What You Already Have

Service best begins with what is already available, like time, skills, space, or resources. Rather than focusing on what’s missing, individuals and churches are encouraged to offer what they can. Churches might open their doors for community meals or gatherings. Individuals might offer skills like cooking, organizing, mentoring, or simply listening. During the holidays, presence and availability can be as meaningful as material support.

Let the Holidays Be the Beginning

While the holiday season provides a natural starting point, Dino Rizzo encourages people not to stop serving once the season ends. Lasting impact comes when service becomes part of a regular rhythm. “The holidays remind us to be generous,” Rizzo says. “But serving our communities is something we’re called to do all year long.” Serving your community this holiday season doesn’t require perfection or planning far ahead. It begins with awareness, willingness, and simple acts of kindness. When people commit to serving consistently, communities grow stronger and hope takes root in everyday ways.

About Dino Rizzo

Dino Rizzo has served in ministry for more than 40 years. He co-founded Healing Place Church with his wife, DeLynn, and later founded Servolution, a movement that encourages individuals and churches to engage in practical service. Rizzo serves as Executive Director of the Association of Related Churches (ARC) and is part of the senior leadership team at Church of the Highlands.