I'd like to have a fundraiser for my poor Mexican neighbors, is that rude?

Question

They need the basics, like shoes, food, and clothes for their kids. I'd like to have everyone in the neighborhood pitch in what they can. Canned food, used shoes, some money, or better yet gift cards. They dont speak english, so I really have no way of asking them, should I organize this anyway? I also have contact info for the local clinic which will provide birth control for the mom, would she welcome that ?

Answer 1

If you give a man a fish, he can eat for a day...if you teach a man to fish, he can eat for a lifetime.

Answer 2

You really need to ask them first. Find someone who speaks Spanish to facilitate the conversation. A lot of people are proud and do not want that kind of charity, especially when it's done through a more public event like a fundraiser. Birth control is definitely crossing a line, especially since a lot of Mexicans are Catholic and might not believe in contraception in the first place.

Answer 3

I think your intentions are beautiful really I do. Bless you for doing it. But you don't need to involve the neighborhood. First of all, you are blabbing your assumptions up and down the block, asking for handouts on their behalf. Think how you would feel if this were done for you. Humbled, grateful of course, but also a little less than.

Not that there is anything innately wrong with being poor, it is a very educational experience and you can live so well with very little money. Money doesn't solve all your problems. But poverty has a way of getting under your skin and making you a little sensitive about charity. Basically under the wrong circumstances, it validates that the person needs help to make it when others don't. It is the line between the have's and the have not's. So when you acknowledge someone's need, you should do it lovingly and privately...and anonymously.

I think that rather than calling attn to this family's situation, if you want to help, just anonymously put some gift cards in their mailbox. You can do it after dark so no one knows. Charity is so much more generous when nobody knows its you...then you know for a fact that you aren't doing it to call attn to yourself.

Walmart cards will be a big hit, they have everything that people would need on a daily basis. I would do small amounts more frequently than one big windfall. Or you can just pick up a couple extra things everytime you are out...bar of soap here, bag of noodles there?? Sign them up for a Spanish magazine or newspaper? I mean, you know the address...that would be easy and it would connect them to the world, maybe your local newspaper has a spanish version. Maybe you could get them an inexpensive prepaid cellphone and keep them supplied with minutes.

Think of yourself as their personal mystery Santa Claus. But don't out yourself. Just do your part. God will bless it and multiply it for you. If you let anyone else know, it will not be as rewarding for you, I promise.

I think this is the most dignified way to deal with the family...this way they can just thank God for it, and yes, it will drive them a little batty for awhile, but that is fun too, like having a secret admirer. You will eventually accept it and consider themselves blessed, and you will be talked about as their guardian angel...I promise...and you will be prayed for, just hide and watch how you will be blessed as well!!

One awkward thing about asking the neighbors to give this family used items, especially if they have kids, is that it is embarrassing for children to be seen in handmedowns from nextdoor. The previous owner is going to see all their old stuff being used by this family, and even if you collected it to give to the "anonymous poor" they will know soon enough who got the stuff.

No birth control pamphlets, this would be horribly insulting, especially if they are Catholic. It is basically saying..."Hey, I noticed you are having trouble taking care of your children?? Let's get you fixed so there aren't any more, what do you think??" But you can give them info about free vaccine clinics and checkups if you think they need it.

Answer 4

I think its rude for you to even entertain the thought to do anything for these people. I'm sure they are nice yada yada yada. But let me tell you, the american way is help a good cause but forget your fellow neighbor. Everyone wants to give toi a charity. Purple heart for instance. I too have given a lot to charity and lent money or time to friends for help with anything they asked. Now, I got laid off and it is me who needs the help and I am in a very serious financial situation, my friends are all for themselves. On top of that, the governemtn wil not give me anything because they say I am not poor enough. Ofcourse ppoor people who abuse the system get free rent.

So to put it bluntly, your thought is very noble and someone should take you out to dinner and treat you for trying to be a kind soul. But I wouldn't do a damn thing for any of those people. If you got sick and couldn't work and they were working and doing what they could, you think they would give you their last $200 so you could make some sort of effort on your mortgage? The 8-ball says "Highly unlikely".

Answer 5

If they are hardcore poor than fundraising for the food, clothes, money won't be so bad. But if they are getting along well then they might find if very rude.

The birth control might offend the mom depending on how you approach her. Maybe you can bring it up when you're having a girl to girl talk with her?

Answer 6

I think having an unsolicited "fundraiser" for your neighbour is tacky. There are other ways you can help out without embarassing them....or yourself. Invite them over for your upcoming Easter Dinner, take over a gift basket and introduce yourself. The language barrier really isn't that big of a deal. You may end up becoming good friends and then, at that point, you will know what they need....if anything. Who says they need food and clothing? Never judge a book by it's cover!

Answer 7

Well the last part about birth control is, chances are, if they are Hispanic, they are Catholic, some Catholics do not take birth control, and if not, how do you know she doesn't already? Why don't you just get them gift cards?? Then you don't have to worry about the fact that they speak spanish. Like walmart or something, I bet that would be helpful

Answer 8

Birth control might be a touchy issue. I'd bring it up in the context of providing other medical services. If you "sandwich" it in between something like immunizations, free check-ups, etc., then she might not feel as embarrassed or offended and she might be more likely to accept it.

Don't feel it's rude to offer them charity, but maybe it would be helpful to show them how to help themselves, too. Give them what you can to help them get on their feet, but they'd probably also be grateful to have someone explain what avenues they need to take to get ahead so that they're not always depending on other people and feeling burdensome.

Answer 9

Gee, how can charity ever be rude? I think it's very admirable in this selfish world for you to want to do something like that. Just use tact and make it like a gift to them, so they can save face and pride. Latinos are very proud, so use your best judgment. God bless you for your goodness and don't ever stop caring.
Oh, as far as the family planning, just bring it up in the form of medical care, you don't want to embarass or offend. Maybe find someone to help interpret, like another Mexican.

Answer 10

Yes... It is very rude... If you do that your basically calling them poor... Open your house too them... Ask if they need help with anything... I have a poor friend and his family makes it through just fine... They might not have much leisure items... But they can have more fun than me... And I'm kinda wealthy...