You can still donate to charity (and possibly get a tax deduction) by donating your unwanted items to a needy cause. Donating clothing to thrift shops or books to school libraries are obvious options, but here are some lesser-known possibilities:
Cars. Many national charity organizations accept cars of almost any condition. These organizations will pick up your car, sell it, and then use the proceeds for their cause. It is much simpler than going through the hassle of selling it yourself, and you're allowed to claim it for a tax deduction.
Computers. Non-profit groups, schools, and religious organizations often depend on the technology that is donated since it is often too expensive for them to keep up with the latest products on their own.
Eyeglasses. Do you have an old pair of glasses lying around? There are people who can benefit from your old glasses. Lens Crafters, Canon USA, and the Lions Club International all participate in the "Gift of Sight Program," which recycles your old glasses.
Musical instruments. The Directory of Youth Orchestras will help you find groups that can pass your instrument along to a child who can't afford his or her own.
Pet supplies.The Humane Society depends on donations, so give them any old leashes, cages, food bowls, or water bowls.
Food. Contact Second Harvest to find a food bank in your area - they'll take any food you have (leftovers, canned goods, almost any kind of food).
E-donating. Web sites are springing up that allow you to donate a percentage of the amount of money you spend when you shop off of one of their links to the charity of your choice. Some of these sites will offer you discounts as an incentive to continue shopping through them.
on 8/12/2009
Please help my youth pastor. They are in need of some repairs on their vehicle. They are trying to get grant through an orginazation called modest needs. Please go to www.modestneeds.org and look for request #117746. I would greatly appreciate it as they have helped me so much and I know they could really use the financial help. Here is their story I copied from the modest needs web page.
We are Youth Pastors at a church in Poinciana, Florida. As this is a brand new church, we do not receive any compensation from the church. We have had to work full time at other jobs to pay our bills for the past 4 years while still working full time at the church as well. Both my husband and I worked full time jobs until the 23rd of July when my husband's job laid him off. He has been looking for another job applying everywhere with no such help.
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beamer03 said
on 8/12/2009 Please help my youth pastor. They are in need of some repairs on their vehicle. They are trying to get grant through an orginazation called modest needs. Please go to www.modestneeds.org and look for request #117746. I would greatly appreciate it as they have helped me so much and I know they could really use the financial help. Here is their story I copied from the modest needs web page.
We are Youth Pastors at a church in Poinciana, Florida. As this is a brand new church, we do not receive any compensation from the church. We have had to work full time at other jobs to pay our bills for the past 4 years while still working full time at the church as well. Both my husband and I worked full time jobs until the 23rd of July when my husband's job laid him off. He has been looking for another job applying everywhere with no such help.
Then, we had some trouble with our brakes...