I don't give to charities even at Christmas time. Years ago I was homeless by no reason of my own. All the charities except the city mission, would not give me any help at all. Now that I have money and a job, I would not give to charities at all. They really turned me off to giving even at Christmas time.
My question is, am i terrible for not wanting to give to local charities?
2006-11-15 09:45:07 · 10 answers · asked by Clogged-Up 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
The desire to make charitable donations usualy comes from within. Therefore, if it ain't there it just ain't there. Doesn't make you terrible. However, I'd like to suggest that you volunteer to be of help in your local Special Olympics organization. The faces of the children and happiness exhibited in all participants will be a priceless reward for your service and your service will be worth more than the dollars you are uncomfortable and unwilling to give.
2006-11-15 19:45:45 · answer #1 · answered by caesar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully, you have experienced what it's like to be helpless and not been given help. Yes, they were bad to you. But was it because there were other people in more need. I guess you'll never really know. But what you do know is how bad it felt. So do you want others to feel the same way?
They turned you away but you were able to get back on your feet and now have money and a job. So maybe, they did you a favour.
Look at it this way, would you feel better if you gave money to charities? It's up to you, but remember it doesn't always have to be money. It could be something that you don't need.
Anyway, it's your money, you earned it. Your choice what you want to do with it. You need to look after yourself too.
2006-11-15 18:02:46 · answer #2 · answered by B T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At a bad time in my life, when my children were young, I went to a food giveaway. The food came from "Feed the Children" so I expected to get something I could give my children for meals.
It was a cold an rainy day and I waited for over two hours in line. I later became quite ill from it.
The "food" was all junk food, and mostly spoiled. Potato chip bags with holes punched in them so they couldn't be sold? Would you want to eat something stale and spoiling? Nearly all of the junk food was literally moldy and spoiled so it smelled.
Before even getting home and opening the packaging to discover how spoiled the food was, I saw that it was all junk food and nothing nutritious in the whole box. So I looked at the man and said I would gladly trade all of the junk food for something nutritious with which I could make a meal for my children. He glared at me like I was out of my mind and told me to take it and go.
I see the Feed the Children commercials. They show what is apparently good food being given to families. Because of my experience, I can only say that it is PHOTO OPS!
The way the sytem works is that businesses donate food that they can no longer sell and write it off as a loss for taxes. By the time it gets to anyone, it is so spoiled it cannot be eaten. They talk about the TONS of "food" they give away. Yep... I saw them giving tons away.... tons of CRAP!
I will not give to them or any organization that is not local and I do not know what they really do.
No.... you are not a bad person.... and I am not a bad person. But we have seen enough to question the status-quo. Do find a local organization that you can donate time and money to, and you know what actually takes place and can know that it is worth it.
Best Wishes,
Sue
2006-11-15 18:17:21 · answer #3 · answered by newbiegranny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your not terrible for that you had a bad experience with your local charities while being homeless. i don't give clothes to charities i give them to homeless in the area. i also give blankets to them. because i know they appreciate it and need it more than some company that is just going to resell the things you donate. homeless dont have much if any money and they deserve a chance and help in the winter and around christmas too.
2006-11-17 03:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by pebbles_cubbie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you are not terrible.You are only terrible if you will not help yourself.If you do what is right by you never will your mind be terrorized.You are the only thing important to you in the end only your happiness matters and noone will remember the dollar you didnt give to the YMCA or whatever but those whom know you will remember that your a loser or that your a winner and nothing more
2006-11-15 17:50:53 · answer #5 · answered by royalpalaceofhell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not terrible. But it sounds like you would have appreciated the help. And it sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience about what type of help would be really meaningful. Why deny that to other people because you had a bad experience and didn't get help? Spread your gratitude for where you are now. I'll bet it will give you great joy.
2006-11-16 01:21:52 · answer #6 · answered by micah's mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You had a bad experience, but don't let that hurt those in need.
Do something for some folks directly. (make them up a bag of groceries, take them to a diner and buy them dinner, etc)
They will know you care, and you can keep the institutions out of the loop. You can't help everyone, but you can cheer up at least one, and show them there are caring folks in the world, such as yourself.
Peace and Happy Holidays.....
2006-11-15 17:51:45 · answer #7 · answered by pops 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only charity I ever give is the Salvation Army.
The Red Cross is worthless and is only in it for the money.
Salvation is always there to help...did you ever try them for help?
Red Cross charged soldiers in WW II for anything and many of the soldiers from them still hate them.
They are still worthless.
You are not terrible...the ones you should give to is the city mission that helped you.
2006-11-15 18:52:56 · answer #8 · answered by spider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you are terrible for not wanting to donate to charities.
2006-11-15 17:47:04 · answer #9 · answered by Sasami K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That money didn't go to you, and you turned out ok. Perhaps someone needed it more than you did.
Buddy, your feelings and your opinions are your own. They don't make you terrible either way.
2006-11-15 17:46:58 · answer #10 · answered by Sheriff Liz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋