An economic stimulus check idea

[annettemarie]

I totally get that not everyone can do this, and I mean this in no way to make anyone feel badly.

There was a really interesting story on one of the money shows on NPR about giving a portion of the economic stimulus check to charity. There have also been lots of stories about how food banks and other charities are really running low on resources with the economy being what it is.

So, we decided to have each kid take a small amount of money (between $10-$20, we haven't decided yet) and donate it to a charity of their choice.

Here's the story if anyone wants to listen:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/d...harity_sector/

[franklinmarxmom]

We did this last time they sent out the "magic" tax rebate checks--because we disagreed with the idea and thought the money should be reinvested in social programs in our country.

I don't know what we'll do this time. We haven't decided--but finances are tighter now. Thanks for the reminder!

[mightymoo]

What a great reminder - I saw on the news the other day about how the gas prices have hit food pantries really hard.

[msjd123]

I agree that giving it to charity is a fantastic idea! Had we not donated my old car just last month, we would be doing exactly that with our check.

[mamarhu]

I believe in tithing, although I don't belong to any church. So I always give 10% or more from any windfall.

I was talking about this with BigGirl, 13, who suggested we ask a local women's shelter what they need the most (along the lines of clothing for adults and kids, toys, books, or whatever) and then she will shop for it on Ebay, Craigslist, yard sales, etc. Her favorite activity, and she is GREAT at finding deals!

[jeca]

I will do this, it's a nice idea. No idea who I will give to though.

[transformed]

oooh! I want to do that! Mine is a BIG one too! My dh is shopping for a gun. :

Maybe I get to spend the rest as I see fit then!

[annettemarie]

I know our church has a food pantry, so even $5 or $10 worth of pasta, sauce, tuna, etc will go a long way. It's not ideal food, but it fills a tummy.

[RoadWorkAhead]

I think instead of giving to charity, we'll instead be giving to a few friends who've been hit hard who won't access charity b/c they don't want to take from others. BUt it is a good reminder that we're blessed and should give a bit more than I had originally planned.

[Scribe]

I'm planning on doing this, and I am going to post about it on my blog, too, in hopes others who are able will follow suite.

[Ruthiegirl]

Thanks for the reminder...I needed to hear this.

[Llyra]

I'm glad you brought this up. I hadn't thought of doing it, and I'd really like to.

[stretchmark]

This is a great idea. I would have to give to a local charity because there are so many here.

[Attila the Honey]

Great idea. Now I need to just decide which one.

[Redifer]

I'd love to, but can't afford to. Our stimulus check is going towards rent, so we don't become homeless!

But, since I've gotten my garden going, I've been donating all our extra produce to a food pantry that helped us out MAJORLY when we first moved here... they get a lot of baked goods and meat from the local stores, but hardly any produce. And no where NEAR the amount of food they need for the demand they have. So, every few days we've been running down there and delivering fresh, homegrown veggies/fruit on their pantry days (tuesday, thursday, saturday)... and the families there are so thrilled with this, because when you can't afford to buy produce, getting some bell peppers or some oranges totally makes your day, especially when you have small kiddos!

So, DH and I decided that since we're getting an odd number (the entire check won't cover 3 months rent, but we'll have extra if we pay 2 months rent), all of the extra money will go towards expanding the garden as much as possible, to yield as much as possible to give away. Which I thought was pretty cool.

[annettemarie]

I think that's awesome! I heard on NPR some people are giving their entire checks away. We can't afford that. I think we all do what we can.

[MidwifeErika]

What a wonderful idea.

[freespirited]

I don't want to sound like a cynic, but I am very cautious when donating to charities. I used to donate to Salvation Army and Goodwill, cash or goods, but it has been confirmed to me that the employees take most of the stuff of value before it even hits the floor. We had a big scandal here where the director of the Goodwill made over 1 million dollars selling donations of fine art and jewelry and other valuables. He kept all the money. He was caught only when someone accidentally donated a fine art piece from a large estate and vigorously pursued its return. Then they take donated cars and ask an arm and a leg for them. Who are they supposed to be helping anyway?

I prefer to donate directly to shelters and other places and in the form of goods rather than money. You just can't be sure the money will go to the people in need. It's going to be really tough to tithe this stimulus money but I do believe it's the right thing to do. I am thinking of creative ways to tithe it rather than just sending money somewhere.

[Scribe]

I respectfully disagree w/ the statement about goods being more what is needed. While your story about your Goodwill is awful, it's also true that most charitable organizations need cash above all else. Whether we like it or not, they have overhead costs just like anything else, and those are the part nobody wants to pay for. Anybody who has worked at a non-profit can tell you that, I'd bet.