I have given to several charities this year. I don't think I am more hesitant to give, if anything, I try to give more. While my boyfriend and I have had to tighten our belts somewhat, neither of us have been hugely impacted (financially, at least) by this tremendous recession. Now, I am not a rich person, and the amounts that I have given have never been huge. But I think my level of giving this year is a bit more than what it was last year.

I have continued to give this year. I know I have had a rough time of it so others must be truly devastated, I have donated time money and energy in many different charities and will continue to do so. I find that it is truly greater to give than to receive.

I haven't donated any money to charities, but I have donated clothes and goods. Over the last few years, I've moved quite often while trying to find my place in the world and trying to figure out where I want to settle down (I don't think I'm there yet so I'm sure there'll be more for me to give).

Every time I get ready to move (or realize that my clothes don't fit anymore or that I just don't like them anymore because my taste has changed), I bag up everything I don't want and I don't need anymore and haul it all down to my local Goodwill or Salvation Army.

I've never gotten a receipt for the things I've donated and attempted to deduct the donations from my taxes for two reasons:

1. It was stuff I didn't want/need anymore.
2. It wasn't enough to make much of a dent anyway.

I feel that in the spirit of giving clothing, goods, food, furniture, anything you don't have any use for anymore that it should be a gift that doesn't come with any financial return.

However, if I were to give actual money, especially if the amount was over a couple hundred dollars, I *would* deduct that expense from my taxes because you don't know how that charity is going to use the money. You simply hand it over and hope they use it for the right things. With items that are donated, they have specific uses and you know there aren't too many ways that a charity can rip off your donation and not put it to its intended use. You're protecting yourself by deducting money given to charities since you have no control over how the money is used.

To answer your question, if I have something to donate, I donate without hesitation. I've donated several bags of clothes and random things this year already. I do this when I'm able because I know there are lots of people who need it more than I do, but I don't donate money (mostly because I don't have it, but also because I'm not certain it would be spent properly).

I tend to give to individuals rather than charities. There are so many people who need help now, so when I meet one, and I can help, I do. Also, I have a grown son in college, and he's my favorite charity, and definitely not tax deductible.

When I do give to charities, it's usually not enough to count on my taxes. I put change in a jar in a store, or donate a few dollars to the Salvation Army bellringers during the holidays. I buy items that donate to my favorite charity, breast cancer. I don't keep track. I take the minimum deduction and let it go at that.

I feel that if the only reason I'm giving is for a tax deduction, then it's really not coming from my heart, and I need to rethink my charitable activities.

I normally try to give to a charity, even if it is a small amount, but with having lost my job in March and unemployment barely pays the bills...I don't find that I will be able to... :(

Our governor instituted a new budget that impacted so many organizations in our area that our already failing economy is now struggling worse than before. I started an organization to help these people by starting a community food bank garden, a distribution center for clothes and other household items, and operating several fund raising events to support the library, a non-profit thrift store, and local kids for Christmas. I am in no position to help on a monetary level so I am doing these things instead.

I admit I'm not really donating to charities because I don't earn much here. But just few weeks ago, I donated some goods and volunteered for the victims of the typhoon which caused great flood in lots of places in our country. Aside from praying for them, I think it's the least I could do.

I haven't. I really wanted to. But mostly I've only been able to afford the family pantry in town. I toss change in, a dollar when I can. I just can't afford it. We live in an area where food is 2 to 3 times more expensive than anywhere else. I can only work 8 months out of the year too. So I need to save every penny I can. I'm giving to the "food for my kids" fund. And we're eating whatever is cheapest, not exactly the healthiest either. I am a little sick of spaghetti! I gave a lot before but these last few years are damaging to the wallet.

I pay taxes and I try to think of that I am helping people in need with this.

To be honest, I work at a movie theatre that constantly has charity promotions put on, but more exclusivley the "STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION" which basically is an organization that gives critically ill children their one last blast of entertainment (trips to Disney Land, LA, etc.). I always ask every customer to donate even though I am not paid extra to do so, because this charity hits very close to home, seeing as a 5 year old girl (relative of mine) was granted her one last wish (she won't make it until next year) to Disney Land.

I find people very inconsiderate of the cause, and with an attendance of around 2000 people every Friday and Saturday and about 1000 every other day of the week, the most I have managed to raise in one night was a pathetic $40 in donations. I understand how people may be stuggling, but if you take your whole family out to see a $100 movie and popcorn night, I'm sure an extra $1 donation wouldn't hurt, and actually might help a child in need. People need to get it together sometimes because there are many other people out there who have it worse than them.

I've given more this year. And ironically, my finances have been in the pooper this year. But charity donations and charity work are things I thrive on. When life starts getting too wound up and crazy, I throw myself into my charity work. It's good for the body, good for the soul, and helps other people.

Plus, really, I'd just assume make other sacrifices rather than giving up helping others. That sounds corny, but I fully realize I can't take it with me. And I'll admit it, I really do enjoy charity giving. So see? I'm still a selfish bastard.

Well... my charities tend to be street people, and I used to tell them I'd give them a dollar if they'd to ten push-ups, which they would always do... and there were regulars who'd see me walking down the street who would run and drop to do ten, without even checking to see if I had the dollar...

So... what I did was... I stopped initiating anything with people I don't know and who don't know me, and I've been carrying cheap apples in my pack, and if one of the familiars sees me and comes running up to do some push-ups I've been stopping them, telling them things are tight so don't do the gymnastics, and I give them an apple.

I do give to charities. First of all I give to my local church 10% of everything I bring home. I also contribute to United Way a local organization though my work. I have noticed I am a little more hisitant to give due to the economy. I like most people today have been hit hard by the economy but thankfully I still have a job and a home. I feel so blessed for what I have and know others out there have way less. Thats why I give!

I am a big believer in charity work. I give both my time and money but pick the causes I believe in most. Even in our struggling economy we can give time. We all can help by donating blood or Marrow donation. Although that isn't a tax deduction it is the self satisfaction of helping the sick. To me some of the most rewarding experiences have been when I volunteered my time for non-profit organizations.

This calendar year I haven't made any significant donations. Of course I've done a few charity raffles or buying chocolate bars for charity or a few dollars here and there, but nothing really significant. Likely $20 at most.

Last Christmas, however, was my first year with significant and reliable income, so in the spirit of the season I donated several hundred dollars to World Vision in honor of my family (they still got presents, of course). I'm actually rather picky with my charities.. I just feel my money can go farther will some things than others, and some seem to spend a little more than they should on administration. On smaller things (chocolate bar sales and raffle tickets) it doesn't really matter, but if I'm donating $100 I'd like to know where my money is going. This is why I like World Vision - they let you select exactly where your donations go out of a catalog, so you can buy things like food for people in specific places. For a couple hundred dollars I carefully selected what I felt would be the best value and mean the most to me. I wanted to affect as many people as I could - I mean, for 25 dollars I could give a Canadian child a backpack - or I could feed 25 starving families for a week in Africa. To me, feeding 25 people who live in villages and would be extremely grateful and thankfull for a good meal means a lot more to me than one child having a backpack - plus, with our culture, they're likely to destroy it quickly and need a new one. In an undeveloped country, a child is going to treat any small belonging they have like a treasure for the most part - so feeding 25 families just meant a lot more to me. For a couple hundred dollars I chose to stock a medical clinic for a community, plant communal fruit trees in several villages, and start farms (with 3 rabbit or chickens) to several families. A very low cost would go a huge way and these people would be grateful for ages - much more than anyone here (which is a generalization, or course).

I plan to do this again. I'm back in school and money is a little tighter, so I won't be able to donate the same amount, but I'll certainly make some sort of contribution. I'll pick what means most to me and what is going to get the most bang for the buck. If it were easier to find a place and time, I'd love to volunteer my time, but it's difficult to find something that fits with my schedule and isn't closely affiliated with the church (as I am a non-religious person).

In the future I'd love to enter one of those "home lotteries" or whatever to support the local hospital and research center, but I just don't have the cash, as tickets are a minimum of $100.

I try to always be charitable, though I don't always contribute to registered charities to pare down taxes. If you are looking for a tax write off, Goodwill gives good receipts. Humane associations are fairly bogged down with an influx of pets due to the fact that people are losing their homes and apartment complexes aren't always pet friendly.

If you want to warm your heart, take a look at some of the reservations. Some res's are fine and folks are doing okay, but there are many where just a little help can go a long way. Far too often, we donate toys to local kids without knowing that on the Res, there may not be too many presents. Another good hearted charity is Heiffer international. They supply the means to change lives!

If you can't afford a charity, being charitable isn't too bad. Give your time to a local library or assisted living facility. Donate a few hours a week to help walk dogs at the humane society. Clean out your closets of old gloves, hats, blankets, or coats and visit a shelter. You know, finances keep charities afloat but there are plenty of other things you can be doing that would really change things for the less fortunate.