Did you watch Oprah? What is a good idea for me to "Pay It Forward" on a very low budget?

Question

My heart may be a little bit bigger than my pocket. I watched Oprah, and I felt compelled to reach out and help someone in need. I have a few friends that are willing to help. I can sacrifice a couple hundred (I was saving money for school) for this. What is the best way to multiply my money, or get others to contribute to the cause? Helping and surprising 20 people may be outdoing myself, but that is my goal. PLEASE give me ideas big or small that I can use to reach out to others. Hopefully a small act of kindness and selflessness will have a lifelong affect on someone else.

IDEAS PLEASE? I think this would be a great way to not only spread the Christmas cheer, but the love also!

Answer 1

I adopt a family at Christmas time- I buy decent toys, hats, mittens and a craft projet for each child . Also a few groceries, treats, paper products ...something for mom and dad too.

Ronald McDonald House is always in need of things for the families that stay their too. Look up their web site for details of what is needed in your area. Usually they need gifts for older children as well as household supplies.

Answer 2

Through out the year I donate canned goods ( veggies, fruit, juice, peanut butter) and boxed goods ( non sugar cereals, granola bars, crackers etc) Diapers, wipes, personal care products. Check with your local Food Pantry or Rescue Mission- this can be done anytime of the year.We are a one income family and we help support my parents. So you don't have to have $$$$ to do this.
Also grocery stores have coupons at register that cashier can scan. Where I shop it is $1.98 to feed a person ( I have the cashier scan 2 per shopping trip, sometimes 4)
Time is a very valuable commodity. Donate your time to a care giver to give them a break. Even an hour means allot!! Volunteer at a Food Kitchen or hospital.
There are many things you can do that would not cost much.
Also as someone already posted "Adopt A Family" for the holidays. We have done that for the past 6 years. We supply holiday dinner, gift for each family member, $50.00 gift card for local grocery store and tree.
It not only makes me feel good, but it is a valuable lesson for the youth of today. My son realizes that there are people who don't have Christmas, Thanksgiving or Birthdays. He knows how fortunate he is and does not take things for granted. I believe he looks forward to helping others- which for me is a reward itself.
I would love to see more hearts opened, more tradtions started~ you will be amazed at the reaction from all involved.

Answer 3

Try www.kiva.org. It puts you in touch with people looking for small loans to go into business or expand business in developing coutries. The biggest loan is $2000 -- but you don't have to loan the whole amount. You can loan as little as $25 and it will be added to other people's money until the amount is met. You can pick the person you want to help and keep track of the status of the loan. People seem to be mostly in Africa and Bulgaria, with some in Ecuador and SE Asia. $25 goes a long way to people trying to live on $10 a day or so.....

Answer 4

Paying it forward is a great idea all of the time...not just at the holidays. Have you seen the movie? Rent it "Pay it Forward" is a movie with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt.

Open a door for someone.
Let someone in front of you in traffic.
Pay for someone's lunch in the drivethru...the guy behind you...you can do this at the tollbooth too!
Help an elderly person cross the street.
Give your old clothes to the Salvation Army
Volunteer at the animal shelter, homeless shelter, or domestic violence shelter.

Answer 5

I am a single mom on a tight budget (3 kids) i can't afford to buy anything extra so i buy extra baking supplies and my kids and i bake hundreds of cookies brownies and pounds of carmel popcorn and than we distribute it through our local rescue misson and take it to group homes for homeless kids who some never had anything baked for them it's inexpensive and comes from the heart, it's a good way to show my kids how lucky they are and teach them how rewarding it is to be kind to others giving doesn't have to cost much maybe you know a little old lady whoes lonley or need help getting to the store or wants someone to read her a book and if you don't know one theres pleanty in nursing homes all over america good luck and being kind doesn't alyays mean give money

Answer 6

No -- TV on the most part is nothing more than a vast wasteland , of "censored" news and samo/samo shows and pure,insulting ,time wasting garbage, that has little room in my life. I will watch only a few programs --- like OETA public television(member supported). This is a worthy station to watch and support,and worth my "life time" to spend a couple hours on the sofa viewing. OETA public television can be compared as good food for the mind to develope -- while "regular" tv is little more than junk food, with little value. Have a nice day.

Answer 7

In Toronto, this guy prints 6 page newspapers for the homeless to buy for 50 cents & sell for $2 each. The articles are biased anti-government views. People buy them to help the working homeless but throw the papers out. Imagine what good could be paid forward writing positive stuff for the poor to sell for food money! Help the homeless help themselves AND spread positive words to the masses!

Answer 8

Kindness sprouts even from the smallest acts. What matters is that what you give, is given sincerely. It begins at home, and thus, it spreads outside your circle.

You can spread kindness, by small portions and by making extraordinary out of the ordinary. I agree with one of the people who answered your question, that you can start by opening the door for someone or greeting the people you come across everyday.

I give you two thumbs up for reachingt to other people. I believe you can get more people to get involved. This way, you are helping them find a fulfillment by helping other people.

Goodluck to you! :)

Answer 9

I, too, would like to help people and I have VERY LITTLE money...(like $50) and I started an outreach program for families in need. It is on a trial basis for the holidays and then it will be in full swing starting in January. Check out the website below. You could make a donation to this cause or start one like it for your community. I could make the website for you.

Thanks for your kind heart! :)


PS: You can email me if you have any questions.

Answer 10

You men could have date nighttime interior the abode. cook dinner for the different video clips ext. bypass to the zoo or a countrywide park. i'm in MD so some out listed under are unfastened so it somewhat is somewhat helpful to envision it out and see. Make a picnic interior the park or coastline. in case you reside close to mountainschronic up at them at nighttime and massive call gaze. There are issues you men could do exactly would desire to be somewhat spontaneous or a minimum of open minded.