Why we do not donate money

It's a touchy topic, one my Husband would rather I not talk about but I would like to explain why we do not put money on the collection plate at church or give to the people collecting money at the mall.

When I spent four months in Spain I was often approached by Gypsies asking for money. This was routinely done by handing us a print out with the request for money in a few different languages. My friend Alexi had to explain to a country bumpkin the way these things work. So I didn't give for a week (that's big for me) then one night on the Ramblas it hit me, I can buy an extra fry and bottle of water and give it to the man who makes pop can vases and asks for food for his dog.

When we got married we decided that giving directly was the best way for us to see results and also solve the immediate problem. We called a local food bank and asked what they were low on that week, then picked up as much as we could. Sometimes it was 15 jars of peanut butter some days we could only afford two. We always carry bottles of water in our vehichle for those we see on our daily acventures. A church we attended used a lot of rolled paper during worship to keep the kids busy, we would pick up rolls of paper when we saw it to contribute. We understand money is needed to keep organizations running and to purchase bigger items but we also feel that smaller items are forgotten when the budgets are made.


Here are a few things you could do if you know a family in need.

• Gift cards to a local grocery store or gas station
• Send a meal in a bag- spaghetti, sauce and garlic bread, that way they can make it when needed
• Arrange a vegetable delivery from a local farmer (this is getting popular)
• Offer to do laundry or buy the family a clothesline or drying rack (will help reduce bills)
• To save money we make our own laundry soap and share with another family
• Send snacks for kids lunches  (we have also sent reusable drink boxes) 

To contribute to your church

• As a group prepare freezer meals that are easily accessible for families in need or a family dealing with a death or a new baby 
• Donate art supplies and collect craft store coupons for VBS organizers to use while purchasing supplies
• Offer your skills, if you tweet offer to tweet upcoming events etc
• Offer to help deep clean the church twice a year (fun for families)

In your neighbourhood

• Have a fix it day! - ask neighbours to utilize the skills they have to help repair eachothers items, maybe someone can do small electric repairs for lamps and toasters, or someone has tools they are willing to set up for a day to let others use to finish a project. 
• Have a paint swap
• Have an sports equipment and instrument swap
• Host a furniture swap 
• Canned food swap (this is fun if you have a coffee group and would like to try a few different items before buying) 
• Share clippings of plants with neighbours 
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