Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: global human condition, microloan, money, Whole Foods, Whole Planet Foundation, Yes
I still consider shopping at Whole Foods a luxury. With about five other grocery stores in the area I can’t really justify spending the extra money, even if I know how delicious everything is at Whole Foods. So when I went there today to grab some water and Italian soda for my honey’s flag football game, I easily said “yes” when the cashier asked me to give a dollar to the Whole Planet Foundation. How could anyone say no to just one dollar? This money goes to support microloans for people who can really use them.
I admit, normally when someone asks me to donate at the store I usually say no. But recently my mindset has been changed by the increased awareness I have of the global human condition. It is so much easier for me to go without a few extra bucks than it is for someone else in the world to find enough money to feed their family. Please say yes the next time you go shopping, someone out there needs that dollar more than you do. And really, isn’t it so much nicer to say yes?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: charity, Chile, choosing wisely, Forbes, fraud, Haiti, money, non-profit
Some days are busier than others.
When I started on this journey of giving, I knew that it would be difficult to physically volunteer everyday. Between work, volunteering, teaching yoga and my personal life I am pretty booked until, well, March 2011. So on the days that I cannot get out into the community I will donate a small sum of money to a nonprofit of my choosing.
Before I whipped out my credit card I did a little research online. I found a great article by Forbes on how to choose a charity wisely. They warned of fraudulent charities and those who might spend more on administrative work rather than their cause. Working with different non-profits over the years this wasn’t entirely new information, but I do feel saddened that it continues to be this way.
I clicked on a tab that said “most efficient large charities” and found one immediately that I liked. It is called “Heart to Heart” and they boast an impressive 98 % of money collected goes to the cause, only 2% towards the administrative side. Those are some impressive numbers! Right now they are focusing their efforts on the tragedies in Chile and Haiti, but they work all over the world, wherever there are people in need.
It pays to take some extra time for researching charities, I would be heartbroken knowing that my hard-earned dough had gone to a prankster rather than someone in need. I hope that more people will be inspired to donate money to a worthwhile cause, even if it is just a few bucks, the last few crumpled singles at the bottom of your purse that you are too embarrassed to take out. Someone out there wouldn’t be too embarrassed to accept them for a warm meal.
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