When we think of making donations to charity, we often think of the grand gestures made by celebrities who donate millions to worthy causes or to keep great parks open and organizations running. We also see the generosity of large organizations that donate their charitable offerings, making huge impacts in communities for generations to come. However, many of us should consider that we can make a huge impact on many worthy causes just by making non-cash charitable donations.
These contributions, often overlooked, can make just as significant a difference in the lives of those who need it the most. Whether big or small, each act of giving has the power to transform someone’s future. Whether you donate clothes for people experiencing homelessness, food for orphans, or home appliance and furniture donations for families, your generosity and charitable offering can go a long way toward making a difference in our society.
At your local community center, you could inquire about the best charities for children in need of assistance. You could find several that take donations for your old computers and books and even ask for a little of your time to volunteer. Your kindness can change the trajectory of someone’s life and turn what seemed like a hopeless situation into a better one without spending any money.
In 2012 alone, people in the United States gave over $300 billion to charitable organizations. Not all of that money was actual money — some came from goods donated at local schools, for example. A more accurate way to report the figure would be to say that total donations amounted to $300 billion, and it’s an important distinction to make. People sometimes get a notion that in order to make a difference, they have to give some kind of tax-deductible charity write-off, and that’s just not true.
Of course, money is still the most immediate way to affect change in any charity’s agenda. But Americans haven’t particularly had the best decade themselves, with stock market plunges and housing market crashes littering the landscape even today. That’s why it’s crucial to find the ways you can help out charities in your area that are looking for donations without having to give any actual money. For example, you could…
Donate clothes.
What You Can Do: Look for the blue donation bins around your town or city, pack up your old clothes and textiles and plop them in. It’s really just as easy as that. And don’t worry about your old pair of ripped jeans — those might not be sold, but they might be able to be broken down to make cloth wipes. If you can, find the organizations that focus on fostering growth, like the ones devoted to helping disabled veterans.
Why It Matters: When you make clothing donations, you might just be helping a vet pay for his next round of medical bills. You might be helping give a homeless person a bed for the night. Whatever you’re doing, you’re making a real difference.
Donate food.
What You Can Do: How many times have you walked into a supermarket and seen a donation bin labeled “Canned Goods Only” or something like that? The sign means what it says — all you have to do is drop in a non-perishable food item. Canned fruits and vegetables are a good place to start.
Why It Matters: A can of corn or beans or peaches can go a long way to someone who hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks because of poverty and homelessness. Again, it might be another step toward helping disabled veterans.
Donate your time.
What You Can Do: You might think a VA hospital would be an intimidating place, but it’s really just filled with men and women looking for someone to spend a little time with them.
Why It Matters: All it takes to make someone’s day inside a medical facility is smile at them, but if you want to go the extra mile, strike up a conversation. Find out about their families. Write them letters. You’re doing more than just helping disabled veterans — you’re helping people.
Remember that there other ways to contribute besides just by giving money. For a list of local organizations to get involved with, find out more about what’s going on in your community. For more information see this: www.gogreendrop.com