Contributing to charity on a budget

When you’re almost a charity case yourself, it’s hard to figure out how one can possibly help others in need or contribute to a favorite charity cause. But there are ways you can help!

The main tip is: look for the in-kind donation or volunteer service opportunities.

Donation drives in Monroe County during the spring and summer typically focus on rummage sale items, food pantry items and baby shower items. If you have been able to cut back on your family’s grocery and personal care expenses through coupons, 2 for 1 sales and rebates, consider setting aside some of your “freebie” or discount finds for the local food pantries and crisis pregnancy centers.

Now, there is some debate among frugal bloggers as to whether maxing out the grocery and drugstore promotions is an ethical way to make contributions to a charity. For example: is it OK to buy toothbrushes free on a drugstore rebate program when they aren’t NEEDED by your own family, but you’ll be giving them away?

Before you answer too quickly, ponder this question: What will be your response to a classroom or civic club donation drive during a week or a month when you’re wondering how to feed your own family? Are you comfortable with saying, “Sorry, I can’t help this time?”

More food for thought, so to speak, can be found at Frugal Living and Charitable Obligations at Frugal Hacks. This post includes both practical tips for families on a budget, and discusses some of the ethical issues that are involved with helping others.

Julie’s List is working on a list of free and low-cost ways to give back to your community in Southeast Michigan. I plan to check it out as soon as the updates are posted.

Now, for the volunteer opportunities: a great place to start your research is with a database at United Way of Monroe County. The United Way keeps a list of agencies and non-profits in the Monroe County area who are actively seeking volunteers. A recent list of volunteer postings included short-term and long-term assignments suitable for students through senior citizens. For details, call the United Way at 242-1331.

And from the Monroe on a budget archives:

• Charity rummage sales want your donations.
• Share the wealth with a giving circle.
• SCRIP can help you pay a tuition bill or make a donation.
• What can you do with leftover grocery coupons?
• Volunteering
• Contributing to the church
• Cell phone resale and recycling options.
• Shopping for a cause (labels, lids, box tops and customer cards).

Updated March 30, 2008.