Donation Challenge! What have you donated this week and where?

[mama22qts]

I thought about just posting a question for everyone - what are you donating this week? but then I decided it might be fun to post a challenge! Just for accountability...what are you donating this week? Where? How much?

It makes my head spin when I think of all the need that is right outside my door, and how close my family could be to needing help ourselves. I want to donate SOMETHING every week for a year.

I'm trying to think outside the normal donation places - the Goodwill, etc. So even if you donate extra something at school or church for a drive, count that.

As many people as there are on this board, we could really help folks in acute need with our skills. I'd love it if someone would come along with me on this journey...

This week I have donated a huge trash bag of really good clothes that DH can't wear anymore since he's lost 30 lbs.

[thorrocks1]

I have donated a construction garbage bag full of clothes to the Elementary School nurse to distribute to kids in the school or to use if kids need a new pair of pants, shorts etc. during school

Tomorrow I am bringing 2 boxes full of food to a family where both parents have lost their jobs ..

I have also done this with 2 sick kids home Amazing what you can get done when you CAN'T shop!

Great thread!

Originally Posted by mama22qts I thought about just posting a question for everyone - what are you donating this week? but then I decided it might be fun to post a challenge! Just for accountability...what are you donating this week? Where? How much? It makes my head spin when I think of all the need that is right outside my door, and how close my family could be to needing help ourselves. I want to donate SOMETHING every week for a year. I'm trying to think outside the normal donation places - the Goodwill, etc. So even if you donate extra something at school or church for a drive, count that. As many people as there are on this board, we could really help folks in acute need with our skills. I'd love it if someone would come along with me on this journey... This week I have donated a huge trash bag of really good clothes that DH can't wear anymore since he's lost 30 lbs.

[Castingbread]

Neat idea--seeing where others take items will help us think outside the box of where to take things.

There is a program in our community that helps men get off drugs/alcohol and teaches them a trade and gives them a place to live for at least 30 days--they started a thrift store to help pay for it and we took several boxes and bags there this week of used and new items.

We sent 4 bags full of CVS stuff for the kids program at church making shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and we will be filling 4 shoeboxes this week ourselves.

And two full bags of groceries to our church's food pantry.

Also gave a bag of stockpile to our young Student's Pastor's wife.

We live in the country and I don't get to town much, but since dh works there he is trying to take a donation a week someplace. This week was busier than normal.

[wookin]

Brought these to a church food pantry this week:
30 lbs ICBNB
12 lg cans of Muir Glen Tomatoes
34 cans Carnation Evaporated Milk
96 pouches of Bumble Bee Tuna 2.5 oz

[sanam125]

I went to my local Chik-fil-a this week, and there was an organization that was handing out shoe boxes (Operation Christmas Child), so I asked for two boxes and will be filling them with various items for children.
Also, there was a sign at my local Chik-fil-a that if you donate a canned food item, they will give you a coupon for a chicken biscuit (check with your local store).

In the next few weeks, I have plans to donate gently used clothing, food (free with coupons), and household items to a low income housing group that has a Christmas shop for their residents.
At work, I am trying to have a drive for a senior citizen home that requires toiletries, blankets and slippers and if everyone is feeling generous, we will sponser a family for Thanksgiving.
To be honest, I have been on the receiving end and thought that someday I can give back, even if its just a can of food...it really does makes a difference. I still scrape to get by, but my heart says try to help as many people as I can.

[mama22qts]

Originally Posted by sanam125 To be honest, I have been on the receiving end and thought that someday I can give back, even if its just a can of food...it really does makes a difference. I still scrape to get by, but my heart says try to help as many people as I can.

[mama22qts]

I just thought of something! I'm going to take my giftcards that I have gotten from Mypoints to the church to give to a needy family.

[sns4063]

We just recently donated a HUGE amount of clothing to a local group that provides "a home and long-term care for survivors of traumatic brain injury by providing 24-hour supervision and assistance with all activities of daily living." Hopefully they were able to use alot of what we were able to give them for their patients AND for the patient's families.

Next group I am planning on helping is called Operation Homefront. They provide help to military families in the area (since we are in the area of "Military City, USA"). They not only help with food, but also give phone cards, gift cards, school supplies, etc to military families in need. They are a wonderful group!

[sns4063]

Oh, and I just gave alot of Peanut Butter to a coworker who is going through some rough times...and some to another coworker's church who does alot of outreach programs!

[Abbybob]

I have 3 re-usable grocery bags full of food to take to the local food bank after work. DH and I are cleaning out our closets this weekend as well. We'll be taking the clothes that we no longer wear to a local domestic violence shelter. They need business clothes for the residents to wear when they interview for jobs!