The holidays are a time for giving, and not just because it's the last couple weeks of donation season for 2016 income tax receipts. That alone will have caught a lot of people's attention, but at this time of year we need to remember all of the amazing reasons why we should donate to charity.
The Grocery Foundation has been responsible for giving food to many hungry children. Funding ensures that all young people, regardless of background, receive access to proper nutrition.
It's not only those children that can benefit from your charitable donations - you and your family can as well! To help explain, here are ten reasons why you should donate to charity:
Donating Is Good For You: Body & Soul
Many studies have shown that giving to charity, whether donating money or volunteering time, makes people happier. And when you're happier, you're healthier! One study showed pleasure centres of participants' brains lighting up after donating money. How's that for instant gratification?
Helping charity can make you more thankful for the things you already have. Recognising that you are in a position to be able to give can help you feel grateful day to day. You'll also feel great about yourself, helping to build up your own self-esteem and self-worth! If nothing else convinces you, help charity to help yourself!
Think About Your Tax Rebates
As mentioned before, we're in the last couple weeks of donating for your 2016 tax receipts. Holidays are a big time for charities as people feel that wonderful giving spirit. While you're already feeling great about giving, don't forget that you'll feel even better when you don't have to pay as much come tax season! That's always a nice bonus.
Meet New People
Giving your time can be just as, if not more, valuable as giving money. Volunteer experiences help you experience all the personal benefits with the added bonus of also letting you meet new people. Those people will have shared values, potentially leading to some new quality friendships that can last a lifetime.
Donating Can Be Good For Your Budget
It's great to give once in awhile, but if you can build it into your regular budget, why not? Not only will that mean more help for those in need, but you'll have these great benefits across a long term period! Plus, knowing you have to set aside a certain amount of money each month will turn your focus towards the rest of your budget. Closer attention to your overall spending can mean you're actually saving money every month, leaving more money in your pocket.
Be a Role Model
Keep an open dialogue with your kids about your charitable work. Talk to them about where you're donating to and why. Tell them the reasons why helping people in need is so vitally important, why it's great that your family is able to do this wonderful act.
The more your children see all of this, the more likely they are to grow up with a charitable and giving mindset. This time of year is the perfect time to get your kids involved - malls and stores all over the continent are likely to have some sort of charity set up ready to receive donations. After you've taken them shopping or had their picture taken with Santa, take them over to the nice people at the charity to say hello!
Bond With Friends and Family
Get everyone you know involved! Charity needs to be a community-wide effort. Arrange a social gathering to plan fund-raisers. Get together with your friends and bake things to sell. Host a charity auction in your community. Gather people together and make giving a fun experience for one and all!
Build a Better Future
Don't forget the real reason charity matters - the people that benefit from the money raised and aid given. With the Grocery Foundation, not only are you impacting children in the short term - improving nutrition and ensuring a better education - you're also creating long-term change. With a good start, those children will grow up healthy and happy. Those children are more likely to graduate and create even more opportunities for themselves in the future.
Give the Gift of Nutrition
Even a small donation can create these changes. Invest in our children's success and invest in building a better future for everyone.
