As you may have noticed, a lot of your favorite blogs have participated in the blog action day and the hot topic this year is poverty. What a heavy topic, right? It’s a topic we’re all familiar with in some way. Maybe you have a friend or family member that has experienced poverty, maybe you experienced it growing up, or maybe you’re like me and were very fortunate but often wonder what you can do to make a difference.

With that in mind, I’d like to talk about 16 things you can do to fight poverty.

1.) Visit The Hunger Site

This site is free and each time you click the ‘feed the hungry’ button, the equivalent of 1.1 cups of food is distributed to the hungry. If you click on the ads, then more food is distributed. But, you’re online everyday anyway, why not do something to help those in need?

2.) Donate items to shelters and soup kitchens

If you have household goods that you’re not using, give them to shelters and soup kitchens who could use them. They’re just taking up space. Rather than waste efforts trying to sell them for pennies, just give them to a good cause.

3.) Donate old clothes to Goodwill or the Salvation Army

Same concept as number two, if you’re not wearing them, then give them to charity. You’ll feel better and keep someone warm during the winter months.

4.) Loan money with Kiva

Kiva helps entrepreneurs in developing worlds empower themselves so they can bounce back from poverty. Anything you can spare to loan would be helpful. At least check out the site!

5.) Adopt a child

There are plenty of organizations out there that will allow you to donate money for the specific care of a child. You can exchange letters and pictures and really SEE how your efforts are making a difference. You may not have a lot to give, but every little bit helps!

6.) Go door-to-door collecting canned food

Your local soup kitchens and shelters need food all year round, not just around the holidays. Get some friends together and go door-to-door collecting canned goods for your local food banks. Make a game out of it, the person with the least amount of goods has to buy the pizza and beer. Whatever works, but get out there and starting asking!

7.) Go without meat twice a week and donate the savings

If you’re a vegetarian, go without a specific vegetable twice a week. In either case, the money saved by not eating the meal can be donated to a shelter or food bank.

8.) Skip the latte for a week and donate the savings

Ditto number 7!

9.) Buy a homeless person a meal

I don’t advocate just randomly handing out money because you don’t know what they’d do with it, or if they really need it. But, if they’re truly in need and hungry, they’ll accept the food. Talk to them, learn their story. It’s amazing what a little knowledge can do.

10.) Support charity organizations in your community

Write letters, post bulletins, start a blog, get creative with the marketing to raise awareness, host a bake sale…there are many things you can do with a local organization.

11.) Get your kids involved

Kids are great at wanting to help others (in most cases). Start by teaching them how lucky they are to have the toys and things they have, and then get them involved by having them donate their old toys and clothes.

12.) Share your knowledge

If you’re a teacher, teach people about poverty and it’s affects on our economy. If you’re not, but you have a particular skill you think would be useful, try teaching a class. Maybe the local community college in your area will donate a space for you to use.

13.) Organize programs with the local youth groups

Girl scouts and boy scouts have badges to earn and are there to learn about helping other people. It’s a great way to help them do that, and help those in poverty, by creating awareness among these groups. Most likely, the groups will want to find ways they can join the fight against poverty.

14.) Solicit businesses

Talk to businesses about donating to charities and organizations. It’s a tax break for them, sometimes they just need a push in the right direction.

15.) Set up an online donation through your blog

Find a cause and ask readers to donate. You’re spreading awareness and raising money at the same time!

16.) Check with your banks and credit unions

Most banks and credit unions usually have something going on with the food banks – at least here in Austin. Check and see if you can give a few canned goods to your financial institution…sometimes there may be free stuff involved for you if you do.

A lot of people don’t understand that taking steps towards getting rid of poverty doesn’t always require your money. If you can’t give money, don’t feel bad. Become a volunteer and advocate of the local programs. Talk to people who CAN donate . You’re still making a difference. There are things we can all do everyday, we just need to do them.

What other things can we all do to help reduce poverty?

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