It’s natural to become intimidated by the word ‘charity’, especially when you don’t have much money yourself. This word shouldn’t be something that scares you or makes you feel guilty from this day forward because even if you do not have a single penny to offer those in need, that doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot help out. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can give back and today we are going to talk about a few different options you have so you can feel great knowing you are 100% capable of helping out a cause that you feel personally connected with.
Everyone Has Time
The great thing about giving back through charity is the fact that they do not only need money. Charities can definitely use your time. Contact your local charities and see if they need any help. You may be asked to do anything from organize food or items they are giving to their members, greet people as they walk through the door, or clean up. Many charities are struggling and barely have enough staff to keep up so they would probably be thrilled to have an extra body around to make everything run smoother.
Donate Things You No Longer Need
Let’s say you have zero money to spare and are extremely busy, barley having enough time to spend with your family. You can still donate. I’m sure you have something around your house that you no longer need, whether it’s clothing, canned food or old toys that your children have long grown out of. You can even donate old cell phones that you may have lying around, glasses that you never use anymore or a car, even if it isn’t running.
Over the years, it’s very easy to end up having a lot of items throughout your home that aren’t necessarily needed, so why not give those items to someone who could truly use them, all while cleaning up your home and increasing the amount of space you have for your other belongings? Plus, donating verses having a garage sale is going to save you a lot of time and stress.
Donate Your Hair
Another great thing you can donate is your hair. Charities such as Locks of Love accept hair and give it to individuals under the age of 21 who have permanent hair loss due to medical reasons, most commonly from alopecia areata which there is no cause or cure known for at this time. The great news is, the hair will grow back and you can donate time and time again.
Put Your Coupons to Good Use
You’ve probably used coupons at some point in your life, right? You’ve also probably received something free through a coupon, as well. This would be a perfect opportunity for you to give to a charity. Even something as ‘simple’ as a bottle of shampoo can make a big difference for someone in need.
Purchase From Companies Who Donate
Look for shops locally or online (wherever you normally purchase the things you need) that donate a percentage of what you spend to charities. An example of this would be Target and their REDCard. Every time you shop at Target using your REDCard (a Target Credit Card) a percentage of what you spent gets donated to schools. You even get to choose the school that is being donated to, which I thought was pretty neat.
Trade What You Want for What Someone Else Needs
No matter how small your budget may seem, there are probably things you spend money on that you do not technically need. This may be a coffee you allow yourself once a week, a trip to the movie theatre or a meal at your favorite restaurant. Instead of using your money to purchase those types of things, consider using that money to help out a charity of your choosing. If you do not feel comfortable giving the cash, you can spend the money on something that a charity needs. Did you know simply cutting out a $4 coffee once a week will give you an extra $208 per year to work with?
No Donation is Too Small
Even the smallest donation can make a huge difference, so never feel as though you don’t have enough to offer. One child who receives a single teddy bear may hold on to that stuffed animal the rest of their life and have a source of comfort through it as they bounce from home to home. A mere dollar can help go towards purchasing food or beverages at local homeless shelters.
While one person may not be able to change the world alone, when we all come together; major changes occur and lives are altered forever. Take a moment to think about how you can donate.
Eve Torres is a freelance writer who works for various charitable organizations and loves to write articles that encourages people to help the needful.
You don’t have to be rich to give is such an inspiring article. Another way to give is to send messages to all your social media friends so they can be involved in helping. Crowdfunding is another way to get help to those in need.
Eunice – Thanks for sharing some additional ways we can be charitable with the help of others.
Charity is never about money or being rich. There are so many ways you can help the needy. Will is all what is required. A help is a help in whichever way, whether big or small. Thanks for such an inspiring and informative post.
Totally agre with the name of the post. If you want to help there are lots of ways, lots of people used to think that giving a help is giving money, but not everything depends on money. You may pack old things or just things you do not use and give them to those who really need help. To my opinion the most important is to have a wish to help or do a good deed, poor people have nothing and they will be thankful for your attention and care that you can show. There’s no need to have lots of money to help others.
When we really want to help someone we can help with all we have and in whatever way we can; that’s the essence of charity. Keep posting more of such inspiring posts; the world needs them today.
Totally agree with this post. We have a social obligation to the people who do not have a lot. Let us all stand up and learn to be thankful for what we have and really give back. Giving back is not just about money. It’s about giving care and nurturing to those people who truly truly need. Great post! I hope a lot of people read this and find it in their hearts to share. Would you minds if I share this post through twitter?
Christine – I would love for you to share the link to this this blog post via Twitter. An easy way to do this is to click one of the Twitter icons at the end of the article.Thank for reading, commenting and sharing the post.
A great post!! I am glad I stopped by to read this valuable post. I agree that money is not the only requirement to undertake any sort of charity. What one requires for indulging into a charitable task is the heart and the desire to help someone. When one attains this feeling, money is never a problem. The measures discussed in the post such as devoting time, donating old things etc. can fulfill the task of charity in a great way. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post.
Aanya – Thanks for your comment and my hope is that this post got you thinking about some new ways you can make a difference.
Being rich is not tantamount to having the ability to help those in need. I always make it a point to do my share in helping those stricken by calamities and other unforeseen events by participating in donation drives and volunteering my time and skills to make a difference. Thanks for the share Robert, through this, I hope you will be able to inspire others to help in their own little ways.
Helping people in need is never a one way thing. The receiver becomes happy, and the giver feels good about being able to reach out and share. With everything going on around the world, calamities, catastrophes and other unwanted happenings, we should be ready to give whatever we can to extend a life through food and basic necessities. We don’t need money to help rebuild lives. As for the poor, we should always be ready to help. Give them something they can benefit from, long-term. Instead of giving them fish all the time, teach them how to fish! Awesome post! This should be an eye-opener and a reminder to all of us that we are so blessed.
Just donated a chunk of money to Child Relief fund the other day. Felt good when i did so. If every one stops and thinks on these lines, the world would be a better place- just wonder sometimes though: how much of the collected money actually reaches the poor?
Extremely happy to get the views! In my view giving something without any expectation is called donation and if it’s delivered to meet anyone’s need then it’s a big support for the needy people at that moment. This support makes the man too happy and the happiness also touches the donor, too and it’s the achievement. Thanks for a worthy and inspiring content.
Hello, thank you for sharing this post, it is great and I totally agree with you. People always have time on their hands to help hose that are in need, even if it means cutting out watching television or going to the gym. If you can not donate money, that you could always carry on voluntary work.
I agree with you here, it is easy to say that would love to help those in need, but to actually do it is another thing. You don’t always have to give in terms of money but you can give in other ways such as working in a charity shop etc. Great post for raising awareness- thank you for sharing!
You definitely do not need to be rich in order to help me. Rich people do have the easier option by donating money, however if you can not afford that you can do something rewarding by volunteering at your local charity shop or helping children at hospitals. There are so many opportunities.
All it takes to help someone in need is a big heart and giving attitude more than money. A little help from each one of us on our own way can make a big difference, Thanks for such an inspirational post.
you dont have to be rich to help those in need
It is really valuable article ! we ought to understand the value of poor people. If we ever try to help poo people than surely they will be happy. I listen many adds of donation for poor people on FV & I think its a world happiest work.
I am so surprise to have read that hair can be donated too. I must admit it is my first time to know it but knowing so makes me feel glad to know that we don’t have to have money to donate something and make a positive difference in this world.