If the sum were a large one, I'd likely give it to the local food bank. Those folks know how to multiply loaves and fishes. If a small one, I would seek out an elder or a single mother in need.
posted by Ailim
over 2 years ago
Oh wow, what a cool idea. I think I would hand it out to some homeless people.
posted by lynaz
over 2 years ago
What a great idea. I'd buy gifts for Angel Tree or Salvation Army or buy food for the food bank.
I'll probably get trampled... but i hate food banks an toys for tots.... I am not comfortable with donating food or money to people who know how to work the system! I have my ways of finding someone truly in need. I will do up to $500 or someone truly in need, last year it was a woman who adopted 2 handicapped children..then lost her job. This is in honor of my late son, Gary. She has access to help now so I will look for someone else!
Leprikin...I totally understand where you're coming from. There are definitely a lot of people out there that are able-bodied, but lazy, and know how to work the system; and, they take advantage of it every chance they get. But during the difficult economic times we're now experiencing there are a lot of newly stressed families that are having to ask for help for the first time in their lives that would hopefully be helped too. However, if you have a way of finding someone as you did last year that truly needs the help, that's an awesome thing to do!!
I probably would check with my church that does know about families that have a special need (and aren't working the system) so I'd probably check with them to find someone.
Although many of the homeless here in Juneau are mentally ill and unable to work or care for themselves, my main concern has always been with the children. I volunteer to cook one day per month at the Glory Hole, a local soup kitchen that is open to anyone wanting a hot meal or a cup of coffee. They also have limited sleeping accomodations for those who otherwise would have to sleep outdoors in the cold. We have a camp here where there are perhaps 20 people who do live year round in shelters made with cardboard, plastic and duct tape. For whatever reason they are in their circumstances, the community here is devoted to helping each other to stay warm, dry and fed. Money doesn't help, especially with those who would spend it on alcohol. So we buy ingredients and cook on certain days of the month at the shelter.
I've recently joined Big Brothers / Sisters as there is a severe shortage of support for children in single parent homes. I am also working with St. Vincent De Paul in conversion of 10 acres of commercial land they own into a community garden to feed those in need as well. Due to the climate here, it's going to have to be greenhouses, but the money saved from exempting the property on property taxes, could benefit those folks a lot more.
We just had a food drive for our food bank here.. we needed 6000 lbs of food donated. We received more than 18,000 lbs! That's the best part of living in a small community, I think. We all know what's going on here and it's real.. no system to play.
What a wonderful twist the church has made to get people actively into the spirit.
I think I would buy food staples for the Veteran's Home and volunteer to cook as well. It is a couple of hours away from me but I often took my children there with donations when they were younger. I like to help the charities at other times of the year when less people are concentrated on the season.
Lady D... You do are doing a lot for your community and should be commended.
I'd like to find some homeless vets and help them get off the streets and into apartments.
If I couldn't do that I would like to put together kits for them that included a waterproof tent, an inflatable twin bed, sleeping bags, a cooler, a small of set pots and pans, blankets, a warm coat, rain coat, shoes, boots, gloves, hats, other clothing and a cart to haul it around in. I would periodically take them ice, soft drinks, lunch meat, canned goods ,other food and bottled water. These things would allow them to at least stay warm and fix some light food over the fires they build.
I love hearing stories like this. I would probably split it. 1/2 to St. Judes Hospital for Children & the other 1/2 to a shelter for battered women. There are so many people that need help, it's really difficult to say who needs it more. The other day I was coming from Costc. On the corner was a man, probably in his 40's, standing with a sign "Father of 2. Will work." Well, I felt so bad & started crying & told him I was sorry I didn't have more to give hi. I usually don't give to people on the street, but I could tell he wasn't on drugs or booze. He looked healthy. I choose to believe he was a middle class man with a family that lost his job & had to hit the street to look for work.
I often give someone on the side of the road a dollar or two when I have it myself....we never know....it could be God in human form....just wanting to know....What would you do?
