Helping victims of hurricane Katrina

**Lucky Star** · 08-31-2005, 05:36 PM

I'm not sure whether this belongs on the frugal living forum, but it's something that has been on the top of my mind today. We all work very hard to be frugal and we try to save where we can. However, I believe that giving can be also part of frugality - for it is by being frugal that we have the opportunity to help those less fortunate.

Hearing and seeing the news of the devastation left in the wake of hurricane Katrina makes me so thankful to have all those things I take for granted: roof over my head, electricity, a/c, drinking water, food, and knowledge that my loved ones are safe. I feel that I have been blessed with so much, and I want to share what I can with those in need, even if it may not be much. My budget may be tight right now, but I would rather go without something that I don't need, or not make that extra payment towards my debt, than do nothing. So I'm giving today to help people and animals in need.

Is anyone else having similar thoughts/feelings. How do all of you balance helping others with being frugal? I have seen several very inspiring threads here on FV by people who have helped others even when they did not have much to give. In times like this especially, you are all an inspiration to me!

**nodmicks** · 08-31-2005, 10:06 PM

I talked to Dh about sending $ to the red cross. They need it far worse than we do.

**SHOPGIRL** · 08-31-2005, 11:15 PM

Yes, I agree. I'll be sending money to either the Red Cross or Salvation Army at the end of next week. Plus, I plan on getting my clothing/household donations ready to take to the Salvation Army. I figure they must make money off these items, and its a good organization.

I think most of us here at FV are not living in poverty. We're practicing frugality to get out of debt, live a more simple life, and become financially free. Not only will we be helping people in need, at the end of the year, we'll have another tax deduction so really, we're saving money plus helping out people.

**dina** · 09-01-2005, 07:33 AM

We give regular charitable donations. However, since we have both worked in not for profit organizations we are aware of the tremendous waste and misuse of funds that sometimes goes on in them. So, we are very picky about where our money goes. Lately we have been allowing Spirit to guide us to individuals and sometimes organizations who need our help. The money given to or for individuals is not tax deductible, but is greatly appreciated. You would not believe how many people in need fall through the cracks -- turned away by government agencies, charities and even their own churches.

I'm also finding that groups I used to volunteer with don't want my time and skills anymore. They just want my money. I've got a whole lot more time and skills than I have money right now so they are shortchanging themselves.

In situations like this we prefer to wait awhile to see what the real specific needs are before giving money. The giving for hurricane relief will take money away from other causes but the needs there continue so we will continue to give, but maybe not specifically for hurricane relief.

They were saying on the TV yesterday that if you give to an organization such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. and want your donation to go to hurricane relief you have to designate it as such. The easiest way to do that is to write something like Hurricane Katrina on the memo line of your check. All undesignated gifts so directly into the general fund of the organization. That is a good thing to remember when giving to any group -- even your church. If you want the money to go to something specific you need to designate that on your check.

The majority of Americans are finding their paychecks shrinking and the demands for their money growing. We live in a rather wealthy city and are always being bombarded with people asking for donations for good causes. Many are not above trying to make people feel guilty if they don't give. I just get tired of people saying we're not doing enough because we want to choose our own causes to receive our contributions. It's getting harder and harder for me to be a "cheerful giver."

Sorry to get so long with this. It's just a really touchy subject for me right now.

**kaykwilts** · 09-01-2005, 07:37 AM

Yes, I agree that most of us here at FV are not living in poverty but you never know what the next day will bring. A lot of those people in New Orleans were living the good life and one day a hurricane wipes out virtually everything they own. We have friends who just moved to Biloixi from Tyler, Texas to start a business. They were three miles from the beach. They didn't even have all their boxes unpacked when Katrina hit. They made it out with their four kids but they don't know if they will have anything when they go back. Unfortunately for them they did not have renter's insurance. They are currently staying with his family with no source of money.

The Red Cross is a good organization but did you realize that the Red Cross will not help you unless you are in a shelter. My friend is volunteering at a shelter and they had to turn away a family of 20 because this family was staying with a niece in a two room apartment instead of the shelter. You have to be residing in a shelter to get help. This woman was in tears but my friend said not to despair because our church would help her any way they can and we have. We live about 5 hours from New Orleans in the northern part of Louisiana and we are seeing a lot of the refugees in this part of our country. Every motel in northern Louisiana is booked to capacity. Some of these refugees realized it will be a long time before they can go back and are enrolling their children in our schools.

**Lucky Star** · 09-01-2005, 12:07 PM

dina - you really pinpointed some of the concerns that I also have. I feel that I want to help, but I have also been disillusioned with the way some of the relief organizations are handling the funds. I am concerned that the money I donate will not end up helping the people who need help most. In particular, I'm thinking about the Red Cross and their disappointing handling of the post-9/11 donations. I choose to give to other organizations with less bureaucracy and administrative overhang, that will make sure that most of donations will get to the victims. It is hard, however, to find such organizations.

Because my company is matching all employee contributions to Katrina relief, I want to donate to a registered organization. For now, I have given money to the US Humane Society, because I want to make sure that our furry friends that have either been abandoned by or lost their owners get some help. As for the rest, I will take the same approach and wait to see where the greatest need is before giving additional money.

**daddys3chicks** · 09-01-2005, 12:49 PM

Samaritan's Purse is a reliable organization. 90% of donations go to the cause.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/MP_Ar...p?ArticleID=42

**baronmom** · 09-01-2005, 01:56 PM

My donation will probably be my husband. He just got word that he may have to go and help out. The PA National Guard is sending 2500 people to help.

**Lucky Star** · 09-01-2005, 02:12 PM

Traci - my payers will be with your husband... from the looks of it, people there desperately need National Guard help

**sarathom** · 09-01-2005, 02:38 PM

The Canadian Red Cross is also taking money for Hurricane Relief. I will definitely be writing Hurricane Katrina Relief in the memo so that it goes directly to those in need. Thanks for the tip.

I am very glad to help my fellow American neighbours....you are in my thoughts!

**SHOPGIRL** · 09-01-2005, 08:46 PM

Kay,

I didn't realize that you had to be in a shelter to get money from the Red Cross. I have two friends that work for the Red Cross, but I didn't know that.

So, since you're in LA, where do you suggest we donate? What organizations are doing the greatest good?

**Valerie in WA** · 09-01-2005, 10:01 PM

I've gone round and round on this. I do tithe on my income, but I do not currently have a church home. Last month I gave about 3 months worth of tithe (I hadn't made any donations for that length of time) to an organization that provides medical relief, both in regular times and times of disaster. They are already providing hurricaine relief. This month, I was planning to donate to a crisis pregnancy center. I've waffled a bit, but I've decided to stick with the plan to donate to the pregnancy center for this reason: If everyone is donating to hurricaine relief, I'm afraid the pregnancy center may get less than usual donations.

Dh and I have also discussed this. While we would be more than happy to support immediate relief for people who need food, water and a place to sleep, we are at great political and financial odds with the idea of rebuilding New Orleans. For now, this internal conflict is keeping our checkbooks closed.

I saw on the news today (and who knows how accurate anything is anymore!) that $26 million in private donations have been raised, and of that $21 million came from private citizens. Where are the corporations!?!? But maybe I shouldn't ask, since I haven't made a contribution this week (just the one last month).

**Logansmom** · 09-01-2005, 11:42 PM

i have donated to the central IL capter of the red cross- since that is where i live. i guess i feel like i have more say in how the money helps those people. i feel we should put aside any political views and help in any amount we can. the pictures are heart breaking children without basic needs- and the familys pain in not being able to take care of them. it makes you put your ideas of what you need and want in a whole other light -i say just give and help

**Lucky Star** · 09-02-2005, 12:37 PM

Valerie - you make a very good point that it's important to not forget the charities that are not related to disaster relief. There are still so many other people that need help, and with so many donations going to the hurricane victims (and rightly so), these organizations may unfortunately get fewer donations.

Having given to Humane Society for animal rescue, DH and I would also like to help the people there who have lost everything. Cheryl - thank you for suggesting Samaritan's Purse. I've been hearing a lot of good things about it recently. It looks like a worthwhile organization and I like the fact that they channel most funds to the cause.

Both mine and now my DH's companies are matching contributions, so every dollar we give turns into $3! That's a true blessing...