Lately I've been forced to turn my back on charities and the less fortunate.I feel realy bad about it but I have to think about me family first.I have stopped donating clothes,money and food to legit charities and I pray that this is not hurting someone who needs help.It has finally come down to my family doing without or someone else doing without.I think of myself as a simple person that needs very little to be happy in life.I love to help people who need help and I feel it's my duty to help others who cannot help themselves but it is coming to a hault for a while.I hope this doesn't sound arrogant but this is just how it is.Are any of you in this place in your life right now?
am I the only one that feels this way
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I have increased my giving to:
Schools and educational type things, Music and arts.
International charities and disaster help. Chile and Haiti in particular.
I stay away from any charities that funnel money back to....well you know certain PAC's and groups. Environmental stuff comes to mind.
Schools and educational type things, Music and arts.
International charities and disaster help. Chile and Haiti in particular.
I stay away from any charities that funnel money back to....well you know certain PAC's and groups. Environmental stuff comes to mind.
Gonzo,
i'm sure alot of people are in the same boat with the economy and maybe just prioritys. There are always ways to give without it being your belonging or financial. Your time spent puting meals together at a local shelter and such are just as important.
It's also something the entire family can get involved in. It might help everyone realize how fortunate we are.
i'm sure alot of people are in the same boat with the economy and maybe just prioritys. There are always ways to give without it being your belonging or financial. Your time spent puting meals together at a local shelter and such are just as important.
It's also something the entire family can get involved in. It might help everyone realize how fortunate we are.
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Gonzo don't beat yourself up about it. you have helped many before by the sounds of it and if you need to take care of your home and family first then so be it.
i have many times contemplated stopping my donations especially when i consider stopping work to do some studying. We sponsor a child in zambia through world vision and i guess they hook you by putting a face and a little girl to the donations. i feel OK doing it though. we get letters etc and send her letters. we also give $20 a month to doctors without borders. so yeah sometimes i wish i had that $63 a month to use or save.
i have many times contemplated stopping my donations especially when i consider stopping work to do some studying. We sponsor a child in zambia through world vision and i guess they hook you by putting a face and a little girl to the donations. i feel OK doing it though. we get letters etc and send her letters. we also give $20 a month to doctors without borders. so yeah sometimes i wish i had that $63 a month to use or save.
I have never donated a dime to charity. The only people I feel sorry for are kids. I almost gave to St. Judes one time during a commercial they were running but resisted the temptation. My rational is that I have never ever and will never take anything from someone...even if it is offered. That and I'm not making jack squat these days. Outside sales is a tough gig these days.
I'm all for helping the poor in countries such as Haiti where they have almost no opportunities in life.
As for this country...we have the richest poor people in the world. With all the government programs out there ( food stamps, medicaid, s-chip,section 8, etc. ) I feel enough is out there already.
The only times I give ( besides taxes ) is for childrens hospitals, and for kids with cancer.
As for this country...we have the richest poor people in the world. With all the government programs out there ( food stamps, medicaid, s-chip,section 8, etc. ) I feel enough is out there already.
The only times I give ( besides taxes ) is for childrens hospitals, and for kids with cancer.
I gave to the Red Cross, once, because they helped me out during Katrina. And I sent a donation to the ASPCA. Now the Red Cross continually sends me solicitations I have to shred, and so does every animal rescue group in America.
Right now a solicitation from Guide Dogs for the Blind is sitting on my desk. If I send 'em $25 the letters will never stop. I'll be getting "Please Help Us" letters from Homeless Caterpillar Rescue and Guide Weasels for the Morally Impaired until the end of time.
Right now a solicitation from Guide Dogs for the Blind is sitting on my desk. If I send 'em $25 the letters will never stop. I'll be getting "Please Help Us" letters from Homeless Caterpillar Rescue and Guide Weasels for the Morally Impaired until the end of time.
For the last 5 years I have given to the ASPCA and Victory Junction Gang Camp
The ASPCA is begging for $$$ on TV.
Originally Posted By: crinkles
yeah. as soon as a single charity has you on file; the solicitations start coming in. they see sucker written all over you. and they act really offended when you say sorry can't help you i already help someplace else.
What you do is to take a list of your most despised "causes", environmental whatever. Then you write a letter explaining you are unemployed and broke and you can only afford to send a single dollar at this time. That same organization willl spend twenty dollars over the next five years in postage trying to milk you again. A nineteen dollar net loss for them.
yeah. as soon as a single charity has you on file; the solicitations start coming in. they see sucker written all over you. and they act really offended when you say sorry can't help you i already help someplace else.
What you do is to take a list of your most despised "causes", environmental whatever. Then you write a letter explaining you are unemployed and broke and you can only afford to send a single dollar at this time. That same organization willl spend twenty dollars over the next five years in postage trying to milk you again. A nineteen dollar net loss for them.
I donate old clothing to known local organizations that give the clothes to the needy and have an all volunteer staff. That way no money is wasted on pay and advertising - it all goes to the people in need.
I also donate to Animal causes like local shelters, ASPCA, etc. The animals need help too and I am an animal lover.
I used to give to the Leukemia society and some other ones but then the phone calls increased and before you know it - all your calls are somebody asking for money because somebody you donated to sold your name!
But of all the one's I despise most are the one's calling asking for money to support fallen police officers. I know it sounds cold and my wife even works for the Police - but they have better benefits than most and get well compensated for job related injuries/deaths. Also - they signed up for the job knowing the risks. Police do not protect you - that is your own responsibility - they just write the report after the crime is done...and collect revenue from motorists.
(flame suit on)
I also donate to Animal causes like local shelters, ASPCA, etc. The animals need help too and I am an animal lover.
I used to give to the Leukemia society and some other ones but then the phone calls increased and before you know it - all your calls are somebody asking for money because somebody you donated to sold your name!
But of all the one's I despise most are the one's calling asking for money to support fallen police officers. I know it sounds cold and my wife even works for the Police - but they have better benefits than most and get well compensated for job related injuries/deaths. Also - they signed up for the job knowing the risks. Police do not protect you - that is your own responsibility - they just write the report after the crime is done...and collect revenue from motorists.
(flame suit on)
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Being charitable isn't marked by a $$ figure. It's a character traight. It's best experienced in the first person.
You'll be shaken down more often than not. Should that make you a non-charitable person? Do you think the pastors of the world are daisy carrying Pat Boone's sprinkling fairy dust around on some organic kumbaya quest? They're as worldly as you or I. That doesn't stop them from ministering to the poor.
You'll be shaken down more often than not. Should that make you a non-charitable person? Do you think the pastors of the world are daisy carrying Pat Boone's sprinkling fairy dust around on some organic kumbaya quest? They're as worldly as you or I. That doesn't stop them from ministering to the poor.
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I donate old clothing to known local organizations that give the clothes to the needy and have an all volunteer staff. That way no money is wasted on pay and advertising - it all goes to the people in need.
I also donate to Animal causes like local shelters, ASPCA, etc. The animals need help too and I am an animal lover.
I used to give to the Leukemia society and some other ones but then the phone calls increased and before you know it - all your calls are somebody asking for money because somebody you donated to sold your name!
But of all the one's I despise most are the one's calling asking for money to support fallen police officers. I know it sounds cold and my wife even works for the Police - but they have better benefits than most and get well compensated for job related injuries/deaths. Also - they signed up for the job knowing the risks. Police do not protect you - that is your own responsibility - they just write the report after the crime is done...and collect revenue from motorists.
(flame suit on)
Thanks for the reminder. I also give to Tazer for fallen officers.
Animals can't get jobs and should not be uthinized because there owners suck. They have no control....Yes I'm an animal lover to
I donate old clothing to known local organizations that give the clothes to the needy and have an all volunteer staff. That way no money is wasted on pay and advertising - it all goes to the people in need.
I also donate to Animal causes like local shelters, ASPCA, etc. The animals need help too and I am an animal lover.
I used to give to the Leukemia society and some other ones but then the phone calls increased and before you know it - all your calls are somebody asking for money because somebody you donated to sold your name!
But of all the one's I despise most are the one's calling asking for money to support fallen police officers. I know it sounds cold and my wife even works for the Police - but they have better benefits than most and get well compensated for job related injuries/deaths. Also - they signed up for the job knowing the risks. Police do not protect you - that is your own responsibility - they just write the report after the crime is done...and collect revenue from motorists.
(flame suit on)
Thanks for the reminder. I also give to Tazer for fallen officers.
Animals can't get jobs and should not be uthinized because there owners suck. They have no control....Yes I'm an animal lover to
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We give when we can, and don't when we can't. Also for christmas our family donates money to a charity in each others names. We all have more than enough stuff...
I have to resent remarks like the ones made about government services above. I work at an "early college" high school (abut 400 students) designed to help poorer kids get a two-year college degree with their high school diploma at the same time. This school is targeted to those whose parents don't have higher educations, so naturally they are the poorer people in my area. Yes, the majority are reliant on government programs for basic services (and I don't envy them).
Even without all of the "handouts," I still have kids come to me every morning wondering where they can get some food. It has gotten to the point I keep a stash of things like pop-tarts and Lance crackers in my desk for these kids. Not the best food, but likely the only meal they will see all day. We have about thirty or so kids who are dropped off at 6am and are picked up at 9pm every day because their parents are their only transportation and that's the hours they work. The money that was supposed to provide buses and free/reduced lunch to these kids was "taken back" by the state to cover a budget shortfall. It's incomprehensible to me that we should have any school-aged kid dependent on my pack of toastee-cheeze crackers for their daily meal. The people who are truly poor are usually the ones who try to hide it the most.
In regards to the OP, I don't think anybody can begrudge you for taking care of your family first. I know it can hurt not to help people, but I think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect someone to not provide for their family before giving to an organization. There's other ways to help people besides giving money, chances are if you look around and ask a bit there are people around you that you could help that don't have 60% overhead costs to pay first.
Even without all of the "handouts," I still have kids come to me every morning wondering where they can get some food. It has gotten to the point I keep a stash of things like pop-tarts and Lance crackers in my desk for these kids. Not the best food, but likely the only meal they will see all day. We have about thirty or so kids who are dropped off at 6am and are picked up at 9pm every day because their parents are their only transportation and that's the hours they work. The money that was supposed to provide buses and free/reduced lunch to these kids was "taken back" by the state to cover a budget shortfall. It's incomprehensible to me that we should have any school-aged kid dependent on my pack of toastee-cheeze crackers for their daily meal. The people who are truly poor are usually the ones who try to hide it the most.
In regards to the OP, I don't think anybody can begrudge you for taking care of your family first. I know it can hurt not to help people, but I think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect someone to not provide for their family before giving to an organization. There's other ways to help people besides giving money, chances are if you look around and ask a bit there are people around you that you could help that don't have 60% overhead costs to pay first.
Originally Posted By: RedByrd
I have to resent remarks like the ones made about government services above. I work at an "early college" high school (abut 400 students) designed to help poorer kids get a two-year college degree with their high school diploma at the same time. This school is targeted to those whose parents don't have higher educations, so naturally they are the poorer people in my area. Yes, the majority are reliant on government programs for basic services (and I don't envy them).
Even without all of the "handouts," I still have kids come to me every morning wondering where they can get some food. It has gotten to the point I keep a stash of things like pop-tarts and Lance crackers in my desk for these kids. Not the best food, but likely the only meal they will see all day. We have about thirty or so kids who are dropped off at 6am and are picked up at 9pm every day because their parents are their only transportation and that's the hours they work. The money that was supposed to provide buses and free/reduced lunch to these kids was "taken back" by the state to cover a budget shortfall. It's incomprehensible to me that we should have any school-aged kid dependent on my pack of toastee-cheeze crackers for their daily meal. The people who are truly poor are usually the ones who try to hide it the most.
In regards to the OP, I don't think anybody can begrudge you for taking care of your family first. I know it can hurt not to help people, but I think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect someone to not provide for their family before giving to an organization. There's other ways to help people besides giving money, chances are if you look around and ask a bit there are people around you that you could help that don't have 60% overhead costs to pay first.
Oh man!! Where do I start?
If these kids parents are on government programs, they're probably getting food stamps. Sounds to me like parents that don't give a rat's "behind" if their kids eat or not!
Also, I guess this 2 year college degree comes free ( to them ). My wife and I only have high school diplomas. I've been working since I was 16 ( part time ), 18 (full time ). I'm 48 years old. We have never recieved ANY kind of welfare EVER! My wife and I worked different shifts for years so we didn't need a babysitter.We don't make a lot of money, but are above all the income limits for any of the handouts. Now my daughter will be starting college in the fall. I'm still waiting to see how in debt this will put my family.
Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for kids whose parents often times don't care. But the government programs are there, and provide plenty. But it may require a bit of effort to get of their butts and make a meal once in a while.
Like I said, "we have the richest "poor" people in the world"!!!! Look at Africa, India, Haiti, South America. There's people starving to death everyday in other countries.
I have to resent remarks like the ones made about government services above. I work at an "early college" high school (abut 400 students) designed to help poorer kids get a two-year college degree with their high school diploma at the same time. This school is targeted to those whose parents don't have higher educations, so naturally they are the poorer people in my area. Yes, the majority are reliant on government programs for basic services (and I don't envy them).
Even without all of the "handouts," I still have kids come to me every morning wondering where they can get some food. It has gotten to the point I keep a stash of things like pop-tarts and Lance crackers in my desk for these kids. Not the best food, but likely the only meal they will see all day. We have about thirty or so kids who are dropped off at 6am and are picked up at 9pm every day because their parents are their only transportation and that's the hours they work. The money that was supposed to provide buses and free/reduced lunch to these kids was "taken back" by the state to cover a budget shortfall. It's incomprehensible to me that we should have any school-aged kid dependent on my pack of toastee-cheeze crackers for their daily meal. The people who are truly poor are usually the ones who try to hide it the most.
In regards to the OP, I don't think anybody can begrudge you for taking care of your family first. I know it can hurt not to help people, but I think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect someone to not provide for their family before giving to an organization. There's other ways to help people besides giving money, chances are if you look around and ask a bit there are people around you that you could help that don't have 60% overhead costs to pay first.
Oh man!! Where do I start?
If these kids parents are on government programs, they're probably getting food stamps. Sounds to me like parents that don't give a rat's "behind" if their kids eat or not!
Also, I guess this 2 year college degree comes free ( to them ). My wife and I only have high school diplomas. I've been working since I was 16 ( part time ), 18 (full time ). I'm 48 years old. We have never recieved ANY kind of welfare EVER! My wife and I worked different shifts for years so we didn't need a babysitter.We don't make a lot of money, but are above all the income limits for any of the handouts. Now my daughter will be starting college in the fall. I'm still waiting to see how in debt this will put my family.
Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for kids whose parents often times don't care. But the government programs are there, and provide plenty. But it may require a bit of effort to get of their butts and make a meal once in a while.
Like I said, "we have the richest "poor" people in the world"!!!! Look at Africa, India, Haiti, South America. There's people starving to death everyday in other countries.
BTW, we donated about 6 large trash bags full of clothing to AMVETS about 2 months ago. Mostly baby, kids clothes. I hope this clothing went to military/veterans families.
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