Recently, I had the pleasure of engaging in a dialogue with some very smart, helpful people from the Vancouver Twitterati. The topic of being charitable during an economic down-turn came up.
Growth in donations has slowed dramatically, with many major charities barely keeping pace with inflation. In times like these, it’s more important than ever for companies and individuals to offer their time, talent, and resources. Helping out doesn’t have to be hard or costly. Below are a few creative ways to give back during a recession.
Take a Karma Yoga Class
Most yoga studios hold “karma” yoga classes. These classes run on a donation only basis and benefit charity. Inner Space Yoga, a lovely studio based in the heart of gas town, has kindly offered to donate the proceeds of their karma yoga classes for the next two months to the BC Children’s Hospital “Wigs for Kids” program. Inner Space Yoga is located at 100 – 247 Abbott Street in Vancouver. The Karma class is held every Sunday morning from 9:15 – 10:30 am. Be sure to call in advance to secure your spot.
Instead of Giving Presents, Give a Kiva Loan
Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to unique entrepreneurs around the globe. Instead of getting Christmas presents from your friends, ask them to give a micro-loan to a deserving entrepreneur.
Clean Out Your Closet
Most of us are guilty of “over-consumerism,” and have more clothes than we actually need. If you look in your closet, you could likely collect a pile of items that you haven’t looked at or used in over six months. Local charities and used clothing stores always welcome clothing donations. Also, you don’t have to limit your drop-offs to clothing only. You can send shoes, household items, books and even furniture items, as long as they’re in good condition and don’t require any major repairs. There are many Vancouver charities that accept clothing donations such as the Covenant House, a charity that helps homeless and at-risk youth.
It is so true. Very easy to simply turn inward during these times and almost hibernate. Another karmic nugget is simply to give some of your time. I recently volunteered to be the stage manager for the Red Ribbon Breakfast fundraiser for the Persons With Aids Society. My friend who organized it was in need of some help, so off we went. They ended up raising more than their goal, over $20,000 in one hour! The entire event was done before 10a.m. and it left me super-charged for the entire day and then some!
I just think most people think that “donating” always means giving money. I think we can always donate our time and skills to charities as well. I also believe that with so many charities out there, you personally need to find a charity or cause you believe in and stick to that. As much as we would love to help all charities, the reality is we just can’t do it all.
However you donate, it’s all about helping out where we can.
Good comments Gus and Chico. While fundraising is still very important, it’s not the only way to give back. My sister is participating in a “buddy reader” program called “ONE to ONE Literacy.” This program matches up adults and struggling students for one-on-one instruction. There are so many ways to give back. I think that sometimes we get stuck in the “all or nothing” approach, thinking that a small amount of time or money can’t possibly make a difference. It all adds up at the end of the day!
if someone believes in a such thing as Karma i would ask them to please explain this, why people who are good and help out others whenever they can no matter who that person may be still have bad and very tragic things happen to them?It is this reasoning why there is no such thing as karma don’t agree please tell me why on either of my twitter feeds NUMBER1NUCKFAN or tigerrage But seriously anyone who believes in Karma is saying that in payment for being a good person karma may still deal you a hand that that will make your life miserable
Many people assume that they can only donate when things are going well and not when times are lean. While it may be true that wealthy people, on average, donate more money in an absolute sense, I believe I read somewhere that poorer people tend to donate more when you think about it as a percentage of income.
If you’re hurting, there’s a good chance that someone else is hurting more. If you skip that latte, a hungry mouth can be fed. If you skip out on that $300 Columbia jacket, several more people can be clothed this winter. It’s all about perspective.
While I’m certainly not trying to explain or prove the concept of Karma here, I get your point. It’s true that doing good things doesn’t guarantee that bad things won’t happen to you. However, if we all choose to look outside of ourselves a bit more and help out, this attitude will spread and by default more people’s bad luck will improve. Now, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore your own needs at the expense of others. Nor does it mean that you should help out expecting something in return. I think that there’s a fine balance between considering your own needs and those of others. The point of this post is that helping out doesn’t have to be something that eats up all of your time and money. There are some very basic ways that we can all give back. I also think that each person needs to set their own boundaries as to how much they’re willing to help out.
Thanks for your comments Michael. It’s true. It’s all about perspective. All the little things add up. You could donate a blanket to a homeless person or buy lunch for someone who can’t afford it. I agree with your statement, if you’re hurting, there’s a good chance that someone is hurting more. Well said. If you’re taking a yoga class, why not wake up early on Sunday morning and take a karma class at Inner Space? You would have spent the money anyways… At least you know it’s going to a good cause.
I really love the idea of the Karma Yoga class. I usually do yoga at home, but I would definitely consider that yoga class just because of it’s charity factor. I agree with the comments above, many people think that the only kind of donation is monetary, but there really are so many other ways to help out. Great post!
Most times I try and always help, even if it’s just in a store checkout. If I see the person behind the counter is having a bad day, I try to say something that recognizes them as human being. If a waiter in a restaurant is getting crap from some surly customer, and I feel it was undeserved, I’ll try and make it up somehow, perhaps with additional comments about their professionalism, humour, etc.
I had an interesting one the other day; I was driving down a busy road in a shopping district, and a car pulled out from the curb, requiring me to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. I had a back seat full of kids, so was quite freaked out, and honked my horn. At the next light, I pulled up beside them, rolled my passenger window down at the same time as the driver of car, prepared for some sharp words. To my shock and surprise, I discovered that driver was a very close colleague that I had worked with for years on various volunteer activities, but had lost touch with. We recognized each other, and the anger melted into shock and dismay. Perhaps the impersonal nature of a perceived slight is much more powerful, and gets balanced out when there is personal relationship involved. As the other car pulled away, I heard her say, “I love you, Bruce!”
To me, that was an exercise in reframing, and also a good example of how Karma works. I’ll be thinking about that for a while.
Great comment Bruce! What a wonderful story!
There have been some thoughtful comments on this wonderful post. Thank you for sharing.
I didn’t know that Karma Yoga classes existed either. I would be more apt to attend a class with that kind of attitude as a foundation.
This might seem trite to some, but a simple “thank you” and a “you’re welcome”, while not expecting a return of your sentiment, does put good energy out there.
My Dad, one of the nicest guys I know, taught me what you put out there you get back and that being ‘good’ is its own reward. I have proven his theory over and over, and sometimes by being not-so-good. Karma is definitely a real thing.
Donation is also something that I have taken to of late. This summer I looked at my bookshelf and realized that there were books sitting there that I had not touched in years. We donated them all to charity.
That felt so good we did the same thing with our closets.
With the Xmas season upon us and the economic woes being very personal this year we are asking that we exchange cards only if someone insists. But, we think we will suggest people give Kiva loans in the amounts they want to spend on us to someone who needs it. I have enough ’stuff’.
I was aware of micro-loans but not Kiva. Thanks for the tip.
Have an awesome day.
Good post and great followup in the comments. My take on things of this nature has become decidely more personal and close to home since my son was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy a few years ago now. I like to think I’m a pragmatic advocate, and what I mean by that is that, while I will beat down every door, bend every ear and whore myself any which way to get support and services for my boy, I also understand that people tend to have a finite capacity for listening, for empathy and for giving. Doesn’t make them bad people, just human.
So, what of giving in lean times and karma? I think it comes down to being creative. People want to be altruistic, it’s just that they have that limited capacity. So go outside the typical “please give to X cause” and engage folks with different approaches to THEIR needs and problems. I like the karma yoga deal. Sure, they’ll get burned by some but overally I bet it’s a positive experience, at BOTH ends of the relationship.
I need to help a company raise somewhere on the order of 750k over the next 5 months, and I am hunkering down to work a plan based on my feelings outlined here. If I hope to simply ask people for a few bucks, sure I’ll get some here and there. But ultimately I’ll fail. I need to come to a solution that fills contributors’ emotional pockets before I can hope to line a charity’s physical ones. Now how might we do that…?
You make some really good points Don. I agree that businesses need to be more creative and provide more value when fund raising. What’s great about the karma yoga classes at Inner Space is that people are getting something in return for helping out – an awesome workout. I think that it’s perfectly human to think “what’s in it for me?” Anyone who’s trying to raise funds should be aware of this and simply provide more value. I think the days of the passive donation are behind us. I love the idea of holding a benefit. If the host provides good entertainment and an opportunity for networking, the ticket cost is justified. I’m sorry to hear about your son, that must be really hard for you. He sounds like a really courageous young man.
I believe in Karma, baby! Recession or no recessions, gifts of kindness can be given anytime, any day. I recently did a 29 gifts in 29 days project where I gave something away every single day.
From donations to sponsoring a child, to helping someone move to buying 5 roses for a few dollars and giving them to people at grocery stores, it was the biggest gift to be able to give.
I reckon we forget how important the little acts of kindness and caring can be! How about the gift of time? We can all find time for what’s important to us even if we can’t find it in our budgets to give..
Tia @TiaSparkles
I love your “29 gifts in 29 days” project Tia. What a great idea! I heard that Deepak Chopra teaches his kids to give a gift to everyone they meet, whether it’s a compliment, a prayer, or something material. Small acts of kindness are huge. Even a compliment or some recognition goes a long way. Great comments!
I am working for a company that helps charities raise money. Everybody is affected by cuts in funding right now. Charities have to learn to accept help beyond donations only mentality. I believe these times are over.
Agreed! The days of the passive donation seem to be behind us.
Moksha Yoga always has at least one Karma class a week. I think it is a small way to give back to your community and the studio director at Moksha Yoga Nanaimo stresses that is important too.
I think people are still willing to give in a way they know how, whether it be their time, energy, spirit or money. They will give where they know that their resources will be used for something they believe it.
Yes, I believe in karma.
Thanks for your comments Erin!