What did you do?

I also like to donate to Heifer International when I have a bit extra. They give animals to needy families, who then use the animal's milk or wool or offspring or whatever to support their families. There's a whole community pay it forward aspect to the organization that I like, as well.

The boys & Girls club in my area is having a dinner and auction fundraiser at the end of the month. I just bought a table for that event so that's pretty fun. It is the first year in like 3 years i have not chaired the committee that runs it.

I am glad i get to go and enjoy it instead of work it tho.

bgcredwoods.org/annual-dinner-and-auction

Today, I found out there is no longer and Art Club in school here, because there is no money to pay a faculty sponsor, so I am stepping up and gonna do this as a volunteer. I just met with the art department chair and we are going to hammer out some details and hopefully I can get this up and running I want to make it free for the kids so I am going to probably donate about half my studio supplies for this once it gets going! I have to admit though I am super excited about it and really hope it starts up and works out. Plus Idk I may finally get around to finishing some of my pieces that have been sitting in the corner forever. I am also posting this in my Journal at Totjo just to remind myself to stay focused on this. Because, I never would have gotten my minor in fine arts if I hadn't learned oil painting in Art Club back in the day.

I just became a patreon of an artist friend of mine. He's an amazing story teller and magician, Hannibal the Liar.

I find that my local stores offer me many opportunities for charity that requires little effort and low cost. Which I think is a key to getting people to be more charitable on a regular basis. To give a list of regular ways I donate that are easy that might be useful if done in your area:

I am an avid Amazon shopper so I ensure I use Amazon smile

The Cabela's near me has a feature where you can round up your purchase amount to the nearest dollar and I use it every time I go. ( this donates to the fish and forest service a vital and under funded program )

The local dollar store has a box out for you to donate items purchased at the store many times a year including back to school or the holidays. If I am under budget any time the box is there I push my purchases up to my budget limit to add a few items

The local PetsMart has a donate feature on their touch pad to donate to local shelters I believe ( or a pet based charity ) and I use it anytime I am not over my pet food/toy budget for the month ( Yes sometimes I do not donate because I am spoiling the furry kids )

Finally, for around ten dollars you can put together a bag of essentials for any homeless person that might ask for money. That way you can give them something useful even if you don't have the cash to give at the time. I try to keep one in my car on a regular basis but sometimes it gets left at home due to me not wanting it left to bake in the summer heat.

Wescli Wardest wrote:

Finally, for around ten dollars you can put together a bag of essentials for any homeless person that might ask for money. That way you can give them something useful even if you don't have the cash to give at the time. I try to keep one in my car on a regular basis but sometimes it gets left at home due to me not wanting it left to bake in the summer heat.

That is an awesome Idea! I like it.

I forget where I heard of the idea but its a useful one. I find that dollar tree seasonal items are a huge boon here. Hats, gloves, thermal socks in the winter and even flip flops to be able to give some sort of footwear in the summer. ( Heck with thermal socks in the winter it's better than if they had nothing. )

I do this, too. I get the big ziplock bags and put in some travel size toiletries, a pair or two of socks, some nonperishable food items like granola bars, gift cards to restaurants and grocery stores.... stuff like that. Then I just keep a few bags in my car for whenever I see someone in need.