Of the many good deeds that a person can do today, nothing can be more fulfilling and more touching than practicing charity. There’s something wonderful about giving to other people; whether its just giving a few coins to a beggar, sharing your sandwich with a hungry street child or handing over a large check to a charity organization. Whenever you partake to the needy, it’s as if you’re sharing part of yourself, no matter how small or large the amount. Many people today make it a point to donate to charity as a sincere act of goodwill.

Giving to charity is never imposed on anyone, but of course, it is the simplest way you can improve the quality of life of other people, especially those who are unlucky or underprivileged. It’s also the most sincere expression of love. When you share or give to others, you’re telling them in a subtle way that you love them and you care for their well-being.

Here are top ten simple but wonderful ways to give to charity.

10. Clean Out Your Closet, Literally: Donate Your Clothes.

Remember that sweater that you swear looks awful on you? How about those pants that don’t fit you anymore? If you don’t have any room for them in your closet, rummage through and pick out the ones you won’t be using anymore. Afterwards, sort them out into piles, depending on what charity cause you’ll be giving them to. For example, warm, woolen clothing can be given to nursing homes for elderly people, while small clothes can be sent to an orphanage.

If some of your clothes are still new, why not have a fashion garage sale? You can then donate all the cash proceeds to whatever organization you like. (Tips on how to have a garage sale)

9. Be More Outgoing: Participate in Fun Charity Events.

If you’re looking for a little fun along with your charity, the best solution is to join charity events. If you like music, go to a charity concert. If you love cooking, join charity bake sales. For artistic types, why not try participating in art exhibits. Do you love to run? Join charity marathons. Anything goes.

There are numerous charity events available today. The best part of this act of charity is that you get to help out while enjoy yourself. It’s a win-win situation.

8. Care for a kid: “Adopt” a street child.

There are about 150 million street children all over the world today, according to the United Nations. Taking one into your home may seem unremarkable, but in reality it means a lot, especially for the child you adopted.

Adopting a child doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to let him or her into your home. There are some charity organizations that’ll take in the child and all you have to do is send money every now and then to finance the child’s food and education.

For some, adopting a street child may seem a rather large act of charity, but if you think that you’re mature enough and your parental instincts are enough to let you handle a child, then you can look to this option. On the other hand, if you’re having money trouble and you don’t have adequate means to support a dependent, skip this option.

7. The act of almsgiving: Give to beggars.

You pass them on many street corners, wearing tattered clothes and reaching out their hands to you, begging for alms. Sometimes, they’re sleeping on the sidewalk, weak with hunger, and an empty tin can beside them. These are the typical beggars you will see today. If you pass by them, and you have a few spare coins in your pocket, do a small act of kindness and give them to a beggar. It’s a simple act, but it can help them. If you don’t have change, give them food instead.

6. Shopping and donating: Shop at charity auctions.

Are you looking for a vase that’ll complement your living room décor? Perhaps you’re scouring the furniture stores for a comfy couch, but you can’t find one that suits your taste? If you have these types of dilemmas, why not try going to charity auctions for a change?

These events work just like typical auctions, but they have one very distinct characteristic that sets them apart: all the proceeds go to a particular charitable organization. Buying items from these events is a very charitable act.

Surprisingly enough, you can find a wide variety of items in charity auctions, ranging from simple handmade products to large furniture pieces. Sometimes, artwork is even sold at these events. Instead of going to typical shops, look around in charity auctions first. Just think of all the people who will benefit from your simple purchase.

5. Let ‘em hitch: Share your automobile.

For eccentric and filthy rich charity donors, one of the ideal but expensive ways to give to charity organizations is to donate a car or two that the organization can use for their outreach operations. Vehicles can range from ordinary passenger cars to minivans to large buses.

Since you’re just an ordinary person, you can’t afford to give them these luxury items, can you? The best option you can consider is sharing your own automobile. If you own a car, and you have the time to drive around, use your spare time to volunteer as a transportation service for the organizations. Not only will you help them save money, but you can also make sure they’re comfortable.

4. Amen to church donations: Give during offertory.

If you’re an avid churchgoer, you must take careful notice of all the details in your parish—the new church roof, the painted walls and even the religious events that you’re invited to. Do you know where the funding for all of these came from? Where else but from your offertory donations.

Remember the box being passed around during offertory? The money acquired makes up part of the church’s proceeds. Every time you attend mass, try to make it a point to drop something in the offertory box. It doesn’t have to be a large amount, just enough to show that you care.

3. Alleviating hunger: Donate to food banks/soup kitchens.

Aside from poor housing conditions, one of the most severe problems that underprivileged people encounter is hunger. To solve this dilemma, there are now food banks and soup kitchens that provide adequate food to poor people. Food banks give these products for free to organizations, while soup kitchens offer meals at a reasonably low price. Supermarkets, food companies, and regular citizens provide the goods given to these organizations.

If you own a grocery, or if you have food at home that you think will only go to waste, donate to soup kitchens and food banks. You won’t be giving large amounts of cash, but at least you’ll help fill the stomachs of hungry people. They’ll be extremely grateful for your delicious donation. (For more information, read how to donate food)

2. Blood compact: Donate your blood.

Sometimes, poor people find it difficult to find donors when they are in dire need of blood transfusions. Blood donations can be very costly. To help solve this, health organizations such as the Red Cross look for donors to willingly give their blood.

If you feel brave and you’re not afraid of a little pain, donating blood is a helpful way of giving to charity. Of the numerous tangible items that can be given today, blood is definitely one of the most valued. Think about it: in exchange for a little pain, you’ll save a life. Sounds very humanitarian, right? Just make sure that you’re well-aware of the requirements and guidelines before you go under the needle. (Learn how to donate blood)

1. Self-sacrifice: Volunteer yourself.

More than cash and tangible items, your time is perhaps the most precious thing that you can give. There’s no replacing your physical presence, which is why volunteering for charitable works is the best way to share yourself with others. Whether participating in bake sales, organizing parties for street children, or going to outreach efforts in communities struck by disasters, you can surely find a way to make yourself most useful.

The best part of this charitable act is interacting with other people. You can spend time with the underprivileged, let them share their stories and comfort them. You can also be with other volunteers, individuals who are willing to share their time and efforts with others. Volunteering can also serve as a learning experience for you.

There are more ways to give to the needy, but these ten examples are certainly the most ideal, practical and useful options you can turn to. Whatever charitable act you make, what’s important is that you give wholly and you do it with your heart. The people who receive your sincere gesture will surely appreciate it and welcome you with happy smiles on their faces.

Fund Raising is also a good way to reach out to the needy although its not on the top ten lists. There are many Fund Raising Ideas to choose from. There are Christian Fund raising, School Fund raising, Non-Profit Fund raising and many more. There are also Fund raising programs and Fund Raising Tutorials to help you all through out.

 

* Since, no man is an island, we must find ways to help those around us live full lives. If you are into joining organizations, you may want to tour the Internet to learn the many ways on becoming a social worker.