Are you someone who has always been a “giver”? In good financial times, have you contributed money to your favorite charities? Do you always find spare change in your pocket for The Salvation Army bell ringers? Can’t pass up an opportunity to put a can of soup in a food drive? Do you always stop at a child’s lemonade stand?
You may be saying, “This used to be me but times are tough now.”
Perhaps you have lost your job, been forced into early retirement, watched your retirement savings dwindle, had to take a pay cut to keep your job or commissions just aren’t what they used to be. It only takes one quick glance at a newspaper or the television to know you are not alone.
But giving feels good. It is a way for us to connect to our community, to be reminded of our own blessings and to know that we are making a difference to someone less fortunate. You want to give but how when your finances are tight? Get creative:
- Hold a garage sale and set aside a table of items whose proceeds will benefit your favorite charity.
- Share the giving experience with a child by helping them set up a lemonade stand to benefit your local food bank.
- Save all your nickels and dimes for a year then choose a charity to benefit from your spare change.
- Having a party or get together? Set up a Giving Tree and ask guests to donate to your favorite charity. If finances are good for you, offer to match what your guests contribute.
- Do you find yourself with spare time due to unemployment or retirement? Donate your extra time to a Senior Center or mentor a child through a school program or Big Brothers.
- Clean out your pantry of foods that will be expiring in the next month and take them to your food bank.
- Have a fruit tree or garden that produced a bounty this year? Donate the excess to a soup kitchen or food bank.
- Do your spring cleaning now and donate your items to charity.
Many local charities are experiencing never before seen demand in the communities they serve and are in desperate need of assistance. In good times you have given money but you can still make a difference today by employing a little creativity. Giving feels good.
