What Personal Sacrifices Do You Make In Order to Give to Charity?

The working poor give more money to charity than the wealthy do.

That's not a loose, general observation. It's a fact that's been well-documented in publications like The New York Times, Portfolio and McClatchy.

In 2010, The New York Times explained it simply:

"Surveys have shown that upper-income Americans don’t give away as much of their money as they might and are particularly undistinguished as givers when compared with the poor, who are strikingly generous."

Pair that news with the statistic that between 65% and 85% of American families regularly give to charity and it's easy to come to one concludsion: a lot of people are making personal sacrifices in order to help others.

Modest Needs launched it's #DecafCharity campaign with one goal in mind--to document how small changes to one's financial or personal routine can open up funds and resources for the people who need them most.

Now that the holiday giving season is in full swing, we have one question for you: What personal sacrifices have you made in order to help others? And "helping others" doesn't just mean giving to a formal charity. It could be doing anything from cooking extra meals to share with a needy neighbor to donating time and effort as a volunteer. We want to know what you do to improve the world around you. 

You can answer us on this blog, leave a post on our Facebook page, or reply via Twitter (@modestneeds) using the #DecafCharity hashtag.

You answers are an invaluable tool that will help us, and other charities, better understand what real people do to keep philanthropy alive. [Note: Some answers will be featured on the Modest Needs blog and web site.]

We look forward to hearing from you.

Comments

[GMimz]

As a working artist who is usually underemployed I find it hard to give monetary donations BUT because I have many "tools" in my tool kit I try to find ways where my skill sets can help a charity. Maybe it's volunteering time to hand out flyers, making social media posts on their behalf, volunteering time to help with a fundraiser or making a film to help with promotion. I find that donating personal time is just as good and almost more appreciated then money. Making a personal connection with a charity benefits not only the charity but the community as well. The more personal connection a charity has with the community the stronger the support system is for everyone involved!

[Brad Landers]

Christmas presents. I told family to give it to someone else. It feels easier in this day in age to want less-which opens up more opportunity for charity-in theory.

[susan kaye]

i guess i take issue with the word sacrifice-it doesn't feel like that. if i donate money or time, or change a simple behavior to acquire more to give, it's not a sacrifise but a well though out donation (sometimes very spontaneous!)change jar, donating wornout vehicles to groups that collect then, clothes to thrift shop for resale for funds to provide charity care for home care clients, carve for the cure..

[Keramch]

I'd agree with Susan... if it feels like a sacrifice then you're giving for the wrong reasons. I don't have a particular giving plan or approach - volunteer when i can, drop change in jars when i can, donate online when i can, give "virtual gifts" (eg sponsor a water well) instead of store-bought gifts, spread good words/works via social media... it's what feels right at the time. Maybe it means i don't "get" to do something else for myself or whatever, but that's not the point. I think, when one is "working poor", and unable to grant large sums of money with a bunch of strings or recognition attached, giving is something you do because it feeds your soul...not because it makes you look good.