Dark Mode Off / On

 

Today, I will be focusing on giving to Charities, while on a budget.
Charities are struggling to accommodate all the people in need, because the need is so great. But with finances and the economy the way they are, many people are deterred from giving because honestly, they need to take care of their family first. There can be ways to do both, plus, if you have children, this is an amazing opportunity to show compassion for others, even when you have little yourself.
Volunteering: Many people do not have time to volunteer. Some work 2 jobs, or are single parents. Volunteering can be a family experience. This doesn’t mean you have to work in a soup kitchen with a 4 year old in tow. They may not understand. There are many charitable organizations that love to have volunteers.
As I researched this topic, the articles were endless.


Charities that deliver meals to elderly or home bound was a very large part of this. This is not a holiday gift, this is an everyday thing. In your area, I suspect there is at least one organization that does this. Your cost is time and gas. You’ll be making a difference in someones life and helping a charity in need. You can bring a child with you and as an added bonus, a homemade card is just such a welcome gift for so many of those in elder care, or who otherwise have no one who visits them.

Photo Credit

Here is another one I liked.
Donations are a great need for low income families who have to choose between food, furniture, prescription drugs, children’s clothes, or school supplies.
Many local churches help families in need with these very items. Do you have furniture in your home or garage that you no longer use? How about clothing your children have outgrown?
Contact a church in your area to find out if they have a list of items that families in need have provided. Many times, the church will have you bring the items to their office, as the families usually remain anonymous.
As spring cleaning comes around for so many and closets are emptied, before you toss the clothes in a garbage bag or give to an organization that may sell the clothing, please check around for local families who could benefit and would very much appreciate your generous giving.
If you do give financially, set a budget for yourself. If you can spare $10.00 per month, then stick to it. Many charities call or mail for financial requests, but stick to your budget. Find a charity that you identify with.
Please remember that if giving to a charity, donations could be tax deductible. Please check to see if the charity has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Some organizations are not required to obtain 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. These include churches and other religious organizations.

As a contributor on Living on Love and Cents in the Helping Others Section, Tara F brings ideas for Giving on a budget.. You can find out more about Tara and her ramblings at www.everydayramblingsofmylife.com

Heather Brummett

I am Heather Brummett . I'm just a real mom, sharing my real life experiences with the world. Thank you for being a part of my world. Here you will find recipes, crafts, fun ideas for the kids, how to work at home, encouragement, inspiration, and the latest news in and around Houston. To be featured or for information on freelance work contact me at [email protected].

7 Comments

  1. We try to donate a few times throughout the year. Sometimes we donate cash (& it’s all tax deductible anyway) and often times we donate old clothes to a women’s & children’s shelter.

  2. We try to donate our time also to good causes. Volunteering is a great way to give back when you don’t have the money to donate.

  3. We donate every year. Plus my son is in cub scouts and he has his own chance to volunteer and donate. Its never too early!

  4. We donate pantry staples when I get them for next-to-nothing combining coupons with sales. And instead of garage sales, we donate our gently used clothes, toys and other items to charity. Several organizations in our area actually come by to pick up items, if you leave them on the curb with the label they provide. It is SO frustrating to see people pulling up in their nice, shiny SUV’s and taking the things we’ve left out for charity. I never know if they really need them, or they’re just looking for things to eBay (or to turn into DIY projects). So now I just take the time to drive our donations to the charity, so at least I know our donations are helping someone.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *