https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 11 Nov 2026 05:37:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-665069 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:52:36 +0000 Boheme 665069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tithe 10% of our income to our church and will randomly help out different causes throughout the year but they're always organizations - for example Heifer International, Operation Christmas Child, etc. I'm in social work so I learned the hard way to stop giving my clients handouts outside of the resources they're offered. It took me a long time to get over the guilt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-665063 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:50:54 +0000 pui 665063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I struggle with this myself sometimes too.</p> <p>I'll sometimes hand out $20 bills to every homeless person I see in day because I figure it is not my place to judge how they will spend the money. On the other hand though, I could just be hurting them rather than helping if that money just ends up towards their next fix.</p> <p>That's why I feel money is actually a poor way to actually help people. Volunteering is the way to go if you want to make a real difference in people's lives! Even just helping out at your church, singing christmas carols at a local old folks home or hospital, or working now and again at a soup kitchen can really help a lot of people. It costs nothing but time! That is what I recommend.</p> <p>In the end, do what God calls you to do. Not everyone is called to go halfway around the world to build schools in Africa, but everyone has a talent. Use yours to help as many as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-665049 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:46:49 +0000 wheres_c 665049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do not give to individuals unless I know their circumstances and my money will truly be a help and not go to drugs/alcohol.<br /> I will give things, food, diapers, formula.</p> <p>I also give to reputable charitable organizations and volunteer.</p> <p>As a volunteer at the food bank, we used to throw away a bunch of expired food. That makes me feel like many of the individuals are too addicted or mentally unstable to take advantage of the resources available to them.<br /> My money won't help those people, outreach, addiction treatment and mental health counseling might. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-664986 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:26:46 +0000 Weagle 664986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We try to give things to individuals. Food, diapers, etc. But we also don't get many requests from individuals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-664666 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:28:32 +0000 MaisyMay 664666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We primarily give through tithing, but also through other organizations. I understand your struggle. I feel like we ought to do something for individuals, but I also worry about how they will use the money. I was once told that a way to combat that worry would be to give gift cards to McD's or something similar so that you know the money is used for food and not something unnecessary, like booze. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charitygiving#post-664654 Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:11:56 +0000 lomom 664654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really struggle with charitable giving to individuals. I sit in church every Sunday and listen to stories of Jesus helping the poor and I wonder where the line is. How much is too much help? Am I really helping by giving them money? Would it be better to give to an organization?</p> <p>I wonder because I have neighbors who seem to constantly be needing money and favors and I have serious issues with it because 1) it's gotten out of hand, 2) to some extent, I don't feel like its my problem (very unchristian I know), and 3) I worry they're not truly utilizing the money for what they claim it's for. </p> <p>I also contribute significantly to organized charities, which I feel so much better about than giving to my neighbors or someone on the street with a cardboard sign. </p> <p>How do you decide to whom and how to give and help those less fortunate? Do you ever give to individuals? </p>