Giving Creatively During a Time of Crisis

The news and world are consumed with a global pandemic.  Businesses are forced to close.  Schools are closed.  Places of worship are closed.  Parks and playgrounds are closing.  A sense of doom and tension shimmers vaguely around us. Whenever we face a time of crisis – personal, public, or global – we can respond in a few ways.  We can respond from a place of fear, or a place of hope.  Fear in the face of a crisis is normal, and to a certain extent, a healthy reaction.  Fear is useful when it causes us to be cautious, and it is good for us to respect that emotion. 

Hope, however, provides a pathway to action. While generalized fear may cause a total lack of action, hope enables action. Action based on hope is prefaced on the belief that our choices that will bring about a better outcome now and in the future far beyond our individual lives.

In the face of fear and crisis, giving represents a meaningful outward-focused action that seeds the belief that our choices are building a brighter future.  There are several different ways to give during this time.  Some represent giving financially, others giving time.  Here are a few I am participating in, and others have suggested.

1. Donate to Charity

Many charities are facing a downturn in giving, given a difficult economic environment.  You can give to a specific cause related to the current crisis, such as the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Inc. (CDC Foundation).  Some other options are listed here.   Or you might give to a cause that already matters to you.  Several charities I already support have emergent needs, and I have donated to them.

2.  Give Time and Attention to Neighbors and Family

Take a moment to check on those within your immediate sphere of influence.  Calling those who are isolated is helpful.  We have also taken a moment to check on one elderly neighbor a day.  My husband or I walk to a neighbor’s house.  We knock on the door, and then stand back on the walkway.  We have checked on several elderly in our community to ensure they are getting groceries and medicines.  We also leave a card with our phone number if no one answers.

3.  Give Through Regular Spending Habits

Our family has chosen to place a large order for delivery or pick-up from restaurants we normally frequent.  While we typically reserve restaurants for special times, or date night, we are increasing our spending in this area, while reducing a few other areas.  We value these businesses.  We want them to succeed.  We spend on what matters to us – plus I get a night off of cooking.

4.  Give a Positive Review

Many businesses, particularly small businesses, will struggle during this time of crisis.  Perhaps you cannot support anyone financially.  Your words can help.  Give a positive review to businesses you know and appreciate on different platforms: FaceBook, Google, Yelp.  

Hat tip to my friend, Katrina Manhart, for this idea.

5. Give Your Expertise

Do you have some knowledge or skills you can share with the community?  Consider putting together an online seminar.  You might also create a Google or FaceBook group that provides interaction for those facing similar struggles.  Are you able to reformat a resume, tutor, or help people learn frugal cooking?  Many of us have skills others would love to learn during this time.

Hat tip to my friend, Chris Craddock, for this idea.

6.  Pay (Give) For Service in Advance

To the extent that a service is budgeted for, and you can accommodate the need, consider paying in advance.  I am able to work remotely, and have some money saved.  I continue to pay my monthly house cleaner, and we will use it as a credit for the future.  My husband paid $200 cash to the barbershop, again as credit toward the future.  Others buy gift certificates.  This provides cash flow, particularly for service-based businesses, to help them weather the economic downturn and suspension of business activities. One thing to remind yourself is that some of these businesses may not be able to provide you a service for some time. I treat these payments as gifts, that may come to fruition at a later date.

7.  Allow Others to Give to You

Giving is always sacrificial on some level.  However, you need to be wise that you have enough to support yourself and other dependents.  If you are facing your own financial crisis, you can participate by giving gratitude for what others give to you.  Giving and receiving go hand in glove.  We provide an opportunity for giving as we receive. Both the act of giving and receiving requires opening our hands to those around us.

Photo credit: Donna Pavluk