At this time of the year people find themselves so busy it's easier to drop some money in a Salvation Army kettle. There are also those who don't have much financially to give but still want to do the greatest good with what money they have. Though I would never encourage someone to stop giving to a favorite charity why not take a small portion of it and use it to do something totally unusual. But a real blessing.

There are hundreds of soup kitchens but many are closed on the weekend. Though some give a small bag lunch to take with them on Friday you can get terribly hungry having only that for 3 days. This really troubled a friend of mine. But she didn't have much money.

One day she was eating out and noticed the restaurant had special gift certificates for the holidays. For only $1. you got 10 coupons for a hamburger and fries for a child under 12. She bought $10. worth and gave them to the soup kitchen. Thus she fed 100 children for only $10. and there was hardly any effort involved.

After word got around of what she had done others did the same thing. One lady even did the same thing for the same price for small milkshakes. I don't know how crazy the restaurants were about the idea but the parents were so appreciative and the kids loved it. It was a real treat to them.

One lady I know saw a Saturday breakfast at a local restaurant for $2. to raise money for a national charity. She wasn't big on pancakes herself but bought 10 meals and gave them to a shelter. Thus both the charity and the hungry benefited.

There are so many ways you can do something to help, even if you have only a little. In another instance a local theater had a matinee that was free with a donation of 1 can of food. So a friend gathered several large bags of food that had just sat on the shelf for months. She called the counselor of a school in a poor district of town, told her what she wanted to do & the counselor agreed to help. The counselor told some of the poorest kids if they'd meet her at the theater she'd pay their way in with the help of an anonymous donor. It was the first time some had ever been in a theater. Plus it was an extra blessing because many of those same kids would probably be a recipient of the food given.

Being creative in your giving is challenging in a fun way. It feels more personal and the rewards spiritually are so much deeper. Anyone can give a can of food or spend a few dollars and that's wonderful. But when you do twice as much or motivate others to give in unique ways it adds something special to the gift. Try it. But I warn you it can make giving very addictive.

Learn more about this author, Sylvia Morrison.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Creative giving to those in need?
We want to hear your view. Write now!