I always feel guilty that I cannot give to charity more than I do.  However, truthfully, my budget is cut down to the bare minimums and our income simply meets those obligations with pennies to spare. Nonetheless, I feel that I should be giving something. After all, I know that you will find other families struggling much harder than ours to just provide the very basic needs of survival.

You need just to look at your budget to see that our society places a high price on the really basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. Appears odd to me. In a perfect world, these basic needs of survival will be more modestly priced if not free. But, this isn’t a perfect world (at least not by my assessment) and that’s not the case.  That is why I think it is important to give in some way, even when you cannot imagine where it’ll come from.

Here a couple of little ways you can give and not really miss it.

1. One of our local supermarkets (Shoppers) has a display at each cash register where you are able to add $1, $3, or $5 to your grocery bill as a donation to the food bank. It does not hurt a lot to give in these small increments frequently, as opposed to one larger lump sum. I think this is a great idea. You might find this convenient for you if you have a Shoppers or other supermarket in your area with similar donation opportunities.

2. Take advantage of food collections at post offices, schools, and even the supermarket. One or two cans, boxes, or bags of non-perishable food will most likely not ruin your entire menu for the week. You may not even miss it and you’ll be making a charitable donation.  I have sufficient opportunities in this area as I have four children in 3 different schools (elementary, middle, and high school). All three do food drives every year. Our local post office and supermarket also take part in food collections across the holidays.

3. During the holidays, toys for tots is a superb way to give a gift as a donation. Some people say they feel cheap if they only give one gift. Well, you are able to give only one. It isn’t only acceptable, it’s a whole lot appreciated.  One from you, and you, and you, and you, ……… well you get the picture. Collectively, it results in a happier holiday for a lot of less fortunate children.

4. Make the most of donation matching to make smaller donations go further. I have certain charities that I receive newsletters and updates from. I recently read of a matching opportunity in one of the newsletters and donated $5 during the promotion. That means that the matching donator gave $5 also.

5. Also you can set up a reoccurring payment in your bill pay program as a donation. Set up a payment to send a donation of $5 every week, bi-weekly, or maybe monthly. Whatever you feel your budget will permit. If you ever fall short, simply reschedule or cancel the payment for that period.

6. Remember that donating your time is valuable, and appreciated, also. Volunteer to help a neighbor, go to a nursing home or home for the elderly, cheer up hospital patients, or help out at a local charity organization.

7. Donate all of your unwanted items and clothing to a family in need, the Salvation Army, or other charity owned thrift store.

You can see that if you truly put your mind to it, you are able to put together a variety of ways to donate when donating seems impossible. Donating more often in smaller increments is a lot less noticeable than forking out a large lump sum. And, donating your time is sometimes more appreciated than money, since organizations might truly need the manpower to be successful.  A warehouse full of food will not do anyone any good if there isn’t any manpower to get it where it is needed. In today’s fast paced society, time is a valuable gift to give!

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