Charity gets personal amid economic hardship

Turkey and stuffing, via the Web
Marcie Davis of Puyallup, Wash., said her family was moved by an article about shortages at local food banks. But rather then working through an existing operation, they decided to give Thanksgiving dinners to people in need, whom they found through the Web site Freecycle.org.

“I got quite a few responses and was able to bless three families,” wrote Davis. “Then for the ones I couldn't do, others contacted me about helping and two more families got dinners!”  Her impression was that the recipients were until recently members of the middle class unaccustomed to seeking help.

“The families were so grateful,” Davis wrote. “It meant a lot to us to reach out to those who have needs, but are afraid to go to a food bank or might not meet the requirements.”

We also heard from readers who themselves felt so squeezed by the current economy that they are in no position, or mood, for charitable contributions.

“Giving?????” wrote Darrell Holst of North Platte, Neb. “Thanks to the financial train wreck of the economic crisis there is little left to live on much less to give!! I'm now on the receiving end and waiting for my "rescue plan" from the government!  I think I'm next in line right after AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Citigroup, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, etc. etc. etc.”

Giving time, blood
Others, like Mike Cheddar of Madison, Wis., said they were using a different currency for their charitable endeavors.

“I've stopped giving money,” he said. “I volunteer time instead. Like most Americans, I'm bitter and McJobbed, so I've barely enough money to give my family nice things for Christmas. Now blood donation and volunteering to teach English is it.”

There’s no question that the year has dished out many reasons for gloom — shrinking retirement funds, foreclosed homes and Wall Street fraud to name just a few. But the tough circumstances only add to the joy of giving for some generous souls.

Iris Tobias donates through her job in the defense sector, but she gets her fun from her own “ambush” charity.

“I set aside a certain amount of money that I feel I can share and then I head out to mingle,” said Tobias of Erie, Colo. Then, she goes out to stores, looking for people who are scrimping — perhaps with only bare essentials in their grocery cart, a stack of coupons in hand and maybe a calculator. (Tobias knows that look well; in the early years of her marriage, she and her husband scraped by on his military salary.) “If I get the overall impression they could use a hand I follow close, and as their back is turned I drop money in their carts,” she said.

Another theme in the responses was expressed well by Margaret Driscoll of Poplar Branch, N.C., who sees in the tough times an opportunity to break the habit of buying gifts for people who don’t really need anything.

“This year my family is not exchanging adult gifts,” she wrote. “We are giving gifts to the children. We have also adopted a child in need and will purchase gifts for him. We will spend Christmas enjoying a great meal and each other's company. The current economic times motivated my adult children to make these suggestions. I was pleased. I have wanted to get away from the material aspect of the season for many, many years. The current economic crisis is giving us (and I hope everyone) the opportunity to redefine what the season should mean: Peace on Earth, Good Will to All.”

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