Published on May 25th, 2023
Americans donated nearly $485 billion in 2021, a 4% increase from 2020. And although the upward trend continued in 2022, fewer donors gave more money individually.
The reality is that many Americans don’t have extra money to donate because they live paycheck to paycheck. Yet, there are many other ways to give back besides giving money.
If you enjoy helping others, continue reading to learn how to give back!
Advocate
Unfortunately, many of our laws (federal, state, and local) contribute to the lack of means some communities face. Therefore, an excellent way to give back is by learning about an issue and educating others on the changes needed to alleviate the problem.
For example, the U.S. government has several federal food assistance programs to help those who cannot afford food. However, some lawmakers consistently try to put these programs on the chopping block and lessen the assistance given.
In fact, right now, there are Congressional discussions to add more work requirements to some of these programs in order for recipients to continue to receive assistance.
If you feel the government should find other ways to reduce the national deficit besides cutting aid programs, like food assistance, stand up and say so! It doesn’t take any money to research the issue, hold discussions with others, and contact your elected officials.
Advocating for those needing assistance is a simple way to help those in need and stand up for your beliefs.
Donate
We know that not everyone has money to give, but there are many ways to donate that don’t include giving money. So while donating money is straightforward, if you don’t have the means, here are other ways to donate.
Clothing
Various organizations are always looking for clothing donations, especially as the seasons change. So why not clean out your closet and see what you’re ready to part with? Someone will benefit from your new or gently used clothes you’ll never wear again.
A good rule to follow is that if you haven’t worn something in over a year, it’s time to get rid of it!
Some specialized organizations also accept things like prom dresses for girls who can’t afford them or business clothes for recently released inmates to wear for a job interview.
If you have clothing you no longer want but are not in good enough condition to donate, don’t toss it in the trash.
There are plenty of organizations that will accept ratty clothes. Not only will they properly recycle the materials, but many will reuse them to make new products aimed at helping underserved communities. You’ll be helping those in need and the environment at once!
Electronics
These days, we tend to upgrade our electronic devices even when there’s nothing wrong with our old ones. So if you have a smartphone, laptop, tablet, or TV in good working condition you’re no longer using, donate it!
Plenty of families can accept these donations to make their lives easier. Whether they need to help their children with online homework or search for a job, having access to an electronic device is necessary.
Food Bank
Food banks are always in need of donations. Clean out your kitchen cabinets and see what you have to give. Just remember not to give anything that has expired. If you don’t have much, encourage your neighbors to clean out their kitchens as well.
Then you can take all the donations in one go!
To help communities worldwide that suffer from food insecurity, you can also consider donating to a food relief program. While you can’t donate physical food items to many of these programs, even a small donation can go a long way.
Fundraise
For those who don’t have anything to give, whether material goods or money, you can always fundraise. Gather businesses in the community to sponsor an event that will benefit a local charity.
Your fundraiser doesn’t need to be big and grand to be successful.
You can ask students from the high school to put on performances and have an auction of goods donated by businesses. You could also have something as simple as a car wash or bake sale to raise money.
When everyone in the community comes together, raising funds for a cause is easy, all while having fun.
Hold A Drive
While fundraising is often highly successful, it’s time-consuming. For those that don’t have time to fundraise, consider holding a drive instead. When several community members participate in collecting items, it’s not much of a time burden.
You can collect any number of things the charity you want to support needs. Some options include:
- Books
- Clothes
- Food
- Toys
Just reach out to a local organization to see what they need.
Volunteer
Another way to participate in charitable giving without financial resources is by volunteering. Many charities and programs run 100% on volunteers alone, so your time is valuable to them.
There are also hundreds of places you can donate your time. Choose an organization that supports an issue you’re passionate about. Whether it’s helping veterans, people experiencing homelessness, or an animal shelter, when you’re passionate, you’ll make a difference.
It doesn’t take much to impact one’s life, so volunteering is one of the best ways to give back. If you’re unsure where to start, invite some close friends or family members to volunteer with you. This eases the experience and ensures you return when you have more free time.
You can also get your workplace involved with volunteering. Your company may be interested in hosting regular volunteer opportunities as part of its corporate social responsibility or CSR projects. Even employees from small businesses can come together to volunteer for a worthy cause once a month.
Look For More Ways To Give Back
While we only covered a few ways to give back in this guide, many more ways exist to contribute to the social good and make an impact. Explore how you and your community members would like to give back and which methods will have the most impact.
If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of the blog for more interesting and helpful information.
