Tri-State Area residents take pride in doing what we can to take care of one another. If there is a need, we try to meet it. Given that there are still so many struggling throughout the region, that need is not likely to lessen any time soon.

It is fortunate, then, that according to WalletHub’s report on Most Charitable States, that our region has a couple of the highest-ranking states: Pennsylvania is ninth, according to the Washington, D.C.-based personal financial website, while Ohio is 16th. West Virginia ranks 44th.

Pennsylvania ranks 10th for volunteering and service, and 23rd for charitable giving. Ohio is 13th for volunteering and 23rd for charitable giving, while West Virginia is 27th for volunteering and 48th for charitable giving.

That giving doesn’t usually come in the form of money, though, as Ohio is ranked a lowly 46th for the percentage of the population who donate money, but an impressive third for the percentage of the population that collects and distributes food.

Wyoming ranked best in the report, while New Mexico was worst.

“The most charitable states aren’t just the places where people give the largest raw amounts of money,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The share of the population contributing and the percentage of their individual incomes they’re willing to use to help others are big factors in showing how charitable people are. In addition, many people can’t afford to give much money, especially due to the influence of inflation, but they generously donate their time, which is just as important.”

It’s true. Sometimes those who seem as though they have the least to give are the ones trying to do the most.

Such recognition of the tendency of area residents to try to help where we can should serve as an inspiration to look around and see where we can do more. Yes, it is the time of year when such opportunities will present themselves in the form of toy and gift drives, winter clothing collections and community meals. Those are a good start.

But take a cue from your friends and neighbors and dig deeper. Find ways to offer a hand up — however you can.