How to be charitable in lean times

Many Americans increase their charitable giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve – prompted by holiday cheer, religious reflection, and the end-of-year tax deduction. This year, however, as both corporate and personal belts tighten across America, some indicators suggest charitable giving might be waning.  Food pantries, according to USA Today, are receiving fewer donations even as the demand for food has risen.  Corporate grants, according to the Washington Post, are expected to remain flat in spite of increased need.  However, families don’t have to give up on altruism during these lean financial times.

Some think “charitable giving” means writing a check, which many people aren’t able to do this year.  However, kids are most imprinted by what they see their parents doing, and especially by what the family does together. If you can’t donate money this year, donate time.  For example, families can join service projects already planned in their communities or – with a little initiative -- create their own.  Here are some inexpensive project ideas.

-- Check your local newspaper, social service agencies, and churches for soup kitchens that need help collecting, preparing, and serving meals for low-income families.

-- Collect new, unwrapped toys from friends, coworkers, and neighbors and deliver to a drop off site – see www.ToysforTots.org.

-- Go through your home and collect clothing, furniture and household items that you could give to the Salvation Army. Perhaps your family could even bundle up and ring the bell next to the red kettle this year. Check www.salvationarmyusa.org for links to local chapters.

-- Bring small gifts for residents of your local nursing home and stick around for conversation or a game of checkers, as holidays are particularly tough time for people without families.

-- Set up a drop off location in a convenient place and ask for new or gently used coats, gloves, and scarves; deliver to a local social service agency in need.

-- Offer to babysit so a mother or father can go Christmas shopping without curious children peeking in the cart.

-- Create and send holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families through the Red Cross “Holiday Mail for Heroes” Program.  (Sorry -- it ends today!  Bookmark the site for next year.)

SixSeeds believes that parents need to serve with their children because that’s how virtues are passed across generations.  In fact, this economic meltdown is a good opportunity to talk to our kids about community, civic responsibility, and making the best out of a less-than-optimal situation.