The demise of Philanthropy Friday

It was a good idea, but I have come to grips with the fact that my bills and debts are such that for now, at least, I cannot contribute much of anything, despite the fact that there are good charities out there that need help. If that changes, I'll try to revive it.

Besides, I had a very interesting conversation on the implications of charity for the giver and receiver with a friend the other day, and I have to admit I need to review my reasons for giving and how I give, which ways charity can be given so that the receiver does not feel anxious or ashamed rather than empowered by the gift. My friend pointed out that the giver feels good from giving, but the receiver often doesn't feel good about themselves for having to rely on charity. That doesn't mean we shouldn't give. There are ways to go about things to change that. For example, supporting a medical mission like Doctors Without Borders is different, because they provide medical care to everyone in an area in need, and although it's free, it's so necessary and not given in a way to produce guilt or anxiety. Anyway, I'd like to regroup, get my finances in order, and cogitate on just how to go about giving in the first place. Also, although I had certain reservations of being public about donations on this blog, I thought perhaps I could inspire others to do a little philanthropy, too. But maybe I'm just trying to feel good about myself. I've got to think that out, too.

Anyway, for now, no more giving until I'm okay and not worried about food or rent or basics. The tax bill is taking a large chunk out of my disposable income, and the garnishment has put me behind. I think I'll catch up by the end of April, but things often don't work out like I think they will, so don't hold me to it.

Every Monday Matters #8

Help the Hungry

For this one, I refer you to the post I did for Philanthropy Friday #1, where talked about God's Pantry, our local food bank.

Speaking of Philanthropy Friday, yes, I missed it again. This is apparently going to be harder than doing the Monday posts, despite both being on my calendar. As you've no doubt guessed, money has been very tight of late (I owed the state of Kentucky some money and they took it all at once from my last pay cheque, leaving me very low on funds, but at least they're paid off.) I do still intend to keep up the philanthropy, and I still believe it's a good idea, but I may have to 'double up' occasionally due to my ebb and flow of my finances. We'll see.

Philanthropy Friday #5 (already, yes, it's Saturday, but...)

Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program: $8

Because I missed last week entirely, I planned to double up somewhere along the way. My opportunity came today while I was shopping at Kroger. The charity had a list of needed items they were giving out as you came in through the door that you could drop off when you left. It's called Shop & Share for Domestic Violence Shelters. I got a giant package of paper towels. Here's the list:

Personal Care Items:

• Shampoo (adult and baby)
  
• Tampons/Pads
  
• Diapers & Baby Wipes
  
• Toilet paper and Facial Tissue
  

Non-Perishable Food Items:

• Canned fruits and vegetabales
  
• Flour
  
• Corn Meal
  
• Rice/Pasta
  
• Condiments (Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Salsa, Syrup, Jelly, Salt & Pepper)
  
• Peanut Butter
  
• Soup (can or packet)
  

Housekeeping Items:

• Paper Towels/Napkins/Paper Plates
  
• Laundry or Dish Detergent
  
• Dryer Sheets
  
• Bleach
  
• Cleansers/Cleaners
  

I chose paper towels because, well, they can be used for all sorts of things.

If you're in the Lexington area, they were definitely at the Richmond Road Kroger today, and they may be at other area Krogers as well. You might want to call ahead and see. Outside our area, check with your local shelter to see what their ongoing needs are. You might give money or needed items.

Philanthropy Friday #4

National Marrow Donor Program Be the Match Foundation: $10

Like I wrote before, I'd been on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry for years but had to go off when I went on insulin, because my health would be impacted should I be called to donate. They understandably take a conservative approach to ensure the health of donors as well as recipients.

But that doesn't mean I can't help in other ways. I'm in between paycheques this week so it's a small donation, but every little bit helps. This donation helps research, recruiting donors, and providing aid to patients who need help with medical expenses.

What could help even more is that YOU could sign up to be a marrow donor. One way to do so is tell them at the blood bank next time you go to donate blood. They'll take an extra phial and your sample's information will be added to the registry. That's how I got to be a donor. Or you can go to NMDP's web page for more information. Especially consider doing so if you are a member of a minority or of mixed race, if your health is good, because there are fewer donors registered who match for these people needing a transplant. Be sure to spread the word about marrow donation as well.

It occurs to me

that I totally missed a post for Philanthropy Friday. Indeed, I did not donate this past week. I'll figure out whether I want to try to double up this week to make up for it or extend the timeframe beyond a year. I'm leaning towards the former. Also, in the next few weeks I'm going to have a reduction in my take home pay so I'm not entirely sure how much I can donate. We'll see. It's a great idea but harder than you might think.

Philanthropy Friday #3

Alzheimer's Association: Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter - $10

My great-grandmother, Carmen Duncan, had Alzheimer's for fifteen years or more before her death. I watched my grandmother, Frances Vanarsdall, an RN, spend that time caring for her mother as she deteriorated. In the end, my grandmother only outlived her mother by two years. Officially the cause of death was lung cancer; unofficially, I believe, caregiving took every bit of her strength.

My great-grandmother was a wonderful woman, very lively and not afraid to give you a piece of her mind. When I was little, she made banana pudding, and gave me creamed coffee to play with my tea set with. She built a table for me and put it in the kitchen window, and I would stay there playing and colouring while she worked there.

In the early stages of Alzheimer's, she might say funny things, like the people on the TV were taking her for a ride. She talked of old beaux. She was in some ways a delight, but it was still heart-breaking to see her like that.

In the end, she was mostly unresponsive. Alzheimer's had robbed her of so much. Her last day she seemed to know her daughters. They say people sometimes do that, perk up and become clear as they get ready to die. I don't know about that, but I remember my great-grandmother (and grandmother) fondly, and in the spirit of helping others dealing with this disease, I'm donating to this charity. I know it isn't a lot, but with other donations it can make a difference.

Philanthropy Friday #2

Philanthropy of the Week: Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Amount donated: $25

This is a great organisation.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

Please see their websites, whether American or International, or their Wikipedia page, for more info.

You can follow MSF on Twitter (@MSF_USA--search for your own country's, as I know there's one for the UK, Australia, and Canada at least) or 'Like' it on Facebook to keep up with their activities as well.

Why I like it as a charity:

• It provides vital services in the face of harsh conditions such as war, disaster, etc.
  
• It does so without partisanship.
  
• 85% of the funding of MSF comes from private donations.
  
• It is well established, having been founded forty years ago.
  
• It has received the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.
  
• 'The organization actively provides health care and medical training to populations in about 70 countries, and frequently insists on political responsibility in conflict zones such as Chechnya and Kosovo. Only once in its history, during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, has the organisation called for military intervention. In order to be able to speak and act freely, MSF remains independent of any political, religious or economic powers.'--from the Wikipedia article.
  
• The American branch was given a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
  
• In 2008, according to Charity Navigator, only 13 cents per dollar raised were spent on fundraising for the American branch. 1.3% was spent on administrative costs. A full 86.8% was spent on programme expenses.
  

Philanthropy Friday #1 (a bit late)

Because I crashed last night, I didn't get a chance to do my first Philanthropy Friday post. But I did do the first donation Friday morning, so even though it is Saturday now, here goes...

Philanthropy of the Week: God's Pantry Food Bank (Lexington, Kentucky)
Amount donated: $25 worth of packaged food

Despite their name, they are not a religious organisation as far as I can tell. They do work with hundreds of churches and social service agencies to make this all work. They were founded when a concerned citizen in Lexington started giving out food from her basement. Eventually this grew into a food bank. God's Pantry is allied with Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks throughout the country. Their mission statement is: The mission of God’s Pantry Food Bank is to reduce hunger in Kentucky through community cooperation making the best possible use of all available resources.

At work this holiday season they had several containers for God's Pantry and we filled them with almost 500 lbs of food, so they decided to leave us a container post-holiday for ready access with donations. So I took in some of my food there.

What I wish I had read first:

Top Ten Items To Avoid Donating [from someone who has relied on food banks throughout the country, who incidentally gave God's Pantry the best of thumbs' up]

That article explains what you should be giving instead, things that don't particularly need to be cooked or mixed with other things. Here is that list:

1. Dried foods (meat jerky, dried fruits, nuts, and even dried veggies!)
2. Canned Chicken and Fish
3. Canned Low Sodium Soups and stews
4. Canned Fruits / Canned Vegetables ALSO CANNED BEANS!
5. Nut butters like peanut butter, cashew butter, and almond butter

Next time I give to the food bank, I'll specifically go buy just those sorts of things, and contact God's Pantry for other suggestions. Or, there's always donating monetarily to them directly at: http://godspantry.org/donations/new

From that site:

Demand for food assistance is at an all time high and continues to grow each month. Our clients are living on the brink and are facing their own personal disasters each day. Together, we can make a difference. God’s Pantry Food Bank will distribute nearly 1.6 million pounds of food this month to those in need, but we need your help today. For every dollar donated, we are able to distribute $10 worth of food and services into the community. That’s right! Your $1 donation can deliver 4.5 meals to those who need it most in central and eastern Kentucky.

The easiest way to donate food? Go to a Kroger store in Lexington.

Kroger Bags – all Fayette Kroger Stores stock pre-made bags of food (vegetables, fruit, meat and pasta products) valued at $2.50, $5 and $10 located near the checkout lanes. Simply pickup a bag, have it scanned and drop it in the blue barrels on your way out of the store. Your charitable donation is registered on the receipt. It’s easy!

Checkout Hunger – Kroger Stores also have coupons valued at $1, $2, and $5 located at the checkout lanes. To make a donation, simply rip off a coupon and have it scanned. Your charitable donation is registered on your receipt.

So you live somewhere other than Central Kentucky; what can you do?

Find a food bank in your area and give either food or money to help your neighbours who may not be able to eat nutritious meals otherwise. It doesn't take a lot, but it can mean quite a bit. God's Pantry has programmes, for example, for kids (where they pack backpacks of food for the weekend when they don't have access to school lunches), seniors, and then the food bank. Volunteer with a food bank, so you can really see how it helps. I know one day I was just riding the bus before Thanksgiving and this woman had a box with her. I thought that odd, so I paid attention to it, and it was a Thanksgiving-in-a-box from God's Pantry. It probably meant the difference between an ordinary day and a holiday meal to her family.

Anyway, that's the 1st charity of the year. I already know what I'm doing next week. As you may remember, January 12th is the anniversary of the Haitian earthquake, which has caused so much death and suffering and now they are dealing with a cholera outbreak. Like last year, I plan to donate to MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders) in memory of that anniversary.

Again, it's not how much you can (I can't imagine donating much more than $25 at a time to anywhere, I'm just not that well off), but it's that you do donate, and others do, and every bit helps.

I want to start two new things this year on this blog

One is from a book I got at the book fair called Every Monday Matters; 52 Ways to Make a Difference by Matthew Emerizian and Kelly Bozza. It's been around for awhile (since 2008)--it's in Amazon's bargain books and I'm embarrassed that I got it for a whopping $3, since proceeds are supposed to go to charity. But still....

Essentially you take everyone's least favourite day of the week, Monday, and do something that does something positive. Ideas for each week are found in the book. There is also a website with more ideas and things that people have done. Some of them I do often or have already done, like give blood, become an organ or marrow donor, receive AMBER alerts, turn off the TV, etc. But there's plenty I haven't done. I guess the main thing is it gets you to be mindful of things you can do to make things better either for you, or for others. For the first week, the assignment, if you will, is to make a list of what matters most to you. Here's mine:

1. Friends--my support system
   
2. Family--my roots
   
3. Sanity--what I struggle with
   
4. Growth--what I strive for
   
5. Health--what I need to survive
   
6. Spirituality--connexion with a higher power
   
7. Environment--connexion to all around us
   

The second thing I'd like to do is a little microphilanthropy. As you probably know by now, I don't have a lot of money; I don't own a house, or a car. But there is still room to make a difference by giving what I can, maybe in small increments, but taken together, with those of others, it can really help. So each week I'm going to promote a charity or cause and do what I can to support it. I'm going to do this on Fridays (get it, Philanthropy Friday, it's quite catchy.) I got the inspiration from this from Living Philanthropic, where a guy has donated in small amounts to different charities every day (he's on day #256 as of this writing). It's a great idea. I don't think I can swing every day--but giving a little a week is doable. This week I may have to do a donation in kind [essentially giving away stuff]. (I've got a total of $35 to last until the 13th of this month, so that's 10 days). But the idea is getting into the spirit of giving, and thereby making a difference.

So there you go--those are my ways of trying to make the world a little better in 2011. What are you doing?