Ms. Cheap's Sunday column in the Tennessean was devoted to one of her recent visits to St. Luke's Community House and what those who are interested in supporting non-profits can do in these "lean times."
I was out at St. Luke's Community House in West Nashville earlier this month and learned that they're seeing the need for their food and services surging out of control. At the same time, donations from businesses and individuals are on a downward spiral because everybody out there is hurting — or at least feeling wobbly about their future financial well being.Despite the challenges that non-profits and those who support them are facing, there are still some tips worth repeating if you'd like to help. Here is part of Ms. Cheap's list:
• First, take advantage of your company's charitable match program, if your company has one. If you're not sure, double check with human resources because this is a wonderful way to stretch your dollars and literally double your support of your chosen non-profits.
• Get on board with your grocery's community give-back programs. Kroger, Harris-Teeter and Publix, along with lots of other stores, invite you to sign up for programs where a portion of your spending is funneled back to schools or other nonprofits in your local community. I plan a more detailed story on this later, but in the meantime, ask your grocery how its program works.
• Volunteer. All this costs is time, and most of the agencies and organizations are hungry for volunteers to do everything from providing direct services for their clients to doing office work and menial tasks. They love it even more if you have special skills you can share.
• Organize a food drive at work, in your neighborhood, at your club or church or wherever you can. It's so easy to do, and the food demands these days are staggering with so many families who are trying desperately to make ends meet. Second Harvest officials can help you set up a drive that's easy to pull off.
• If you have a special occasion coming up like a birthday, wedding anniversary, retirement or whatever, consider asking your guests to donate money or in-kind goods to charity instead of bringing gifts to you. You could ask people to bring dog food or supplies for the Humane Association, like Patti Jones did for husband Michael's 60th birthday party. Or you could have your guests bring books for a preschool or food for the food bank. There are endless possibilities, and you can tailor the idea to benefit any charity you're interested in supporting.
• I know this may sound grim, but if you are preplanning your funeral (which I think is a good idea), consider asking that memorial donations be made to your favorite charity or charities.
For the rest of Ms. Cheap's suggestions, click this link for the full article in the Tennessean. Thank you, Ms. Cheap!
The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, reads to the pre-K class during her visit to St. Luke's in the photo by Erin Walker at the left. During her visit, she toured St. Luke's, taking in our many programs. At the end of the visit, she took questions from the group that included parishioners from St. George's, Christ Church Cathedral, St. David's, and Holy Trinity and blessed up with a wish for another 100 years of service!
