Charities Crushed Under Soaring Demand

Increasing Kindness and Giving More Love

As I read about the dramatic impact we're facing from the global and US issues from poor banking practices, oil costs and all their impacts, pending recession/depression and real estate and stock market crashes it's quite clear to me that so many of these are based on the primary factor of human greed.

Of course there's much more to it and as an eternal optimist, I know there are exceptional minds, business leaders and powerful people that can lead the charge of giving more instead of taking.

But even beyond that, I feel very strongly that everyone can make a difference.

It will take passion, creativity, kindness and love in these coming difficult times. But it can be done.

Can we put local food "waste" to good use?

Wow! Thank you all for your comments. Upon wakening this morning, God has put it on my heart "to help those in need who honestly need it and will appreciate and grow from it." Your comments have gave me some perspective and direction.

I started searching for local organizations and churches who have an "outreach" that truly helps with the most basic needs and issues.

"Food waste" and "redistribution" has been on my mind for a couple of weeks. Specifically, local schools and restaurants have so much waste, I have questioned "why not put it to good use?" Freeze and give to charities or local needy families? This has been brewing with me. Does anyone have any leads or ideas?

giving differently

Some of us have started giving differently. Our family contributes to local people and individuals that we know directly rather then to charitable agencies. We may not get tax deductions but we know we are helping with both our time and our money. After giving to charitable causes for many years, I got fed up with those I knew needed help not being able to get it and the workers getting paid to much.

Example, and elderly couple that I know makes less then the poverty level per month since the 81 year old husband recently had an medical problem ( a type of blood disease with a five year from diagnosis expected lifespan). He had been working but cannot now, they are close to losing their home, as well as just desparate.. The local legal aid society, funded by our government and contributions, told them we can't help you for at least six month waiting period.

I'll contribute towards their expenses instead of contributing to some charity. The people need help now, not in six months or more.

In response to the person who will never contribute to United Way or any other charity: there are non-profits that do a remarkable job with the money they recieve from grants and donors, and are good stewards of those funds. They are not top-heavy in adminstration and the executive directors are not overpaid, in fact the opposite is true. Please investigate a non-profit before you donate and have an open mind about the benefits and outcomes many worthy non-profits provide for the at-risk and needy populations that cannot access services except through non-profits that provide much needed treatment or services. Non-profits are a valuable asset to any community and as donations dry up the need for services increases and children and families are at an increased risk for abuse, neglect and endangerment...especially children.

scamming by "charities"

One of the biggest reasons I see in our area for donations drying up for our local United Way was the board giving the director a 1.5 million dollar per year pay package with her retirement benefits. I had contributed every year since 1972 but after finding this out I will never give another red cent. And have doubts that I will ever give again to organized charities as most of them now are scams to make the people running them money without having to work.

What they can't and won't say at Church

Due to gasoline expense, the author says, Christians are giving less. The pastors won't be preaching this, but the best thing Christians could do (if they HAVE to trim their giving) is reduce whatever they are giving to their home churches before they reduce whatever they were giving to charities for the needy.

The Biblical notion of tithing was never intended for funding arena-style church buildings, multi-pastor staffs, extended music programs, TV/radio "outreach", church government hierarchies or gym-like family center church annexes. The tithes were to be goods to the storehouse for re-distribution to the needy----exactly what food pantries do. It's a great time for Christians to re-evaluate what they're giving, to whom and for what. (Notice I didn't say quit or diminish, just re-evaluate and re-allocate.)

And, if their pastor has ever mentioned the Republican words, death tax, (as some have---from the pulpit, no less) they ought to change churches altogether anyway.

Ignorant Alex

Hey dummy,

Try cutting out your cable television, internet access, cellphones, flat screen TV, starbucks, bottled water, and cigarettes.

That's between $200-400 in monthly savings right there or at least $2500 a year after taxes.

Try cutting coupons, buying in bulk, generic, and on sale. Curb your impulses and use only the most basic necessities.

There are people who survive on less and don't complain; so quit crying you stupid Americans.

Charities need to prepare

Charities do amazing work - more than average people realize. Where many need help is in developing a business and marketing mindset to operations. The time to prepare for poor economies and increasing demand is before it happens.

Nonprofits should be using professional fundraisers to build their revenue and reserves for hard times. And I don't mean planning another dinner or run. They need to develop a strategic fundraising plan that helps them diversify their revenue streams. There's a huge risk in relying so much on government grants and other "iffy" sources.

Then, there's marketing. Many nonprofits think of marketing as a luxury. Yet, without building a brand in their communities and marketing their missions, how will prospective donors know what they do and then trust that they'll steward their donations well? Marketing is even more essential in hard times, just as it is in the for-profit sector.

All this takes strategy and planning. If you can't support your favorites charities monetarily, the way you'd like to, consider offering your time as a volunteer. Nonprofits can use sound financial, marketing, HR, and business expertise on their boards and committees to help them build their assets to stay the course in good times and bad.

Less charity, more need

Our health system is in tatters, our schools are falling apart, more and more citizens are going hungry and yet we continue to pour $3Billion a week down that rat hole in the middle east...